Health Benefits

Mushrooms have been used for health benefits and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. But much of medical and scientific communities in the Western hemishere have not accepted the benefits of natural remedies. Why not? The truth about mushrooms is rather straightforward. There is a lot about the natural world that we are still figuring. There are common beliefs held by all health practitioners and scientists concerning mushrooms. Two of the most popular conclusions made about mushrooms, they are healthy and delicious. Some fungi (not including mushooms) provide the build blocks for life saving medicines. Perhaps you have heard of penicillin.

Vegetable or Not

Although belonging to the fungus kingdom, mushrooms are considered a vegetable which normally come from the plant kingdom. There are some major difference between mushrooms and all other vegetables. Mushrooms thrive on dead plants and organic material by absorbing nutrients through mycelium. Vegetables use photosynthesis and water to gain nutrients. Mushrooms absorb oxygen and omit carbon dioxide when plants do exactly the opposite. Many vitamins and minerals that are found in meat can be found in mushrooms in smaller doses. Mushrooms possess many beneficial vitamins and minerals that cannot be found in vegetables.

Pound For Pound

Pound for pound, mushrooms are one of the healthiest choices you can make in your daily diet. The healing power of mushrooms goes well beyond vitamins and minerals by producing interest properties that are non-nutritive plant substances — polysaccharides, indoles, polyphenols, and carotenoids in which studies have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Chemicals and components in mushrooms including beta-glucans and polysaccharides can stimulate the activity of immune cells, macrophages, and free radicals. This could lead to a reduction in the growth and spread of tumorous cells causing some cells to die. The mechanisms behind mushrooms miracles are still unclear and an area of active research. Of course, a healthy diet and lifestyle will help aid any healing effects from antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of mushrooms.

Vitamin D

Recent research has stated that scientists have discovered unusually high amounts of the ergothioneine and glutathione, both incredibly important antioxidants. Some scientists suggest both antioxidants could help fight the effects of aging and bolster health. Further research has found that mushrooms synthesize vitamin D when UV light is used during production. Mushrooms grown in the wild can have up to 2000 IU of vitamin D2 per 100 gram serving. Whereas, mushrooms grown commercially are often grown in low light conditions and will contain 0-50 IU vitamin D2 per 100 gram serving. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600-800 IU for adults.