Nutrition Facts

From supermarket button mushrooms to luxurious truffles, there is more to this uniquely delicious vegetable than it appears. The biological genetics of mushrooms create nutrition loaded with vitamins, minerals, and compounds. The health benefits provided by mushrooms are incredibly different than most vegetables. Mushrooms come from a separate biological kingdom and grow in entirely different conditions compared to other vegetables. Vegetables are a part of the plant kingdom and mushrooms belong to the fungus kingdom.

Photosynthesis

Most species of the plant kingdom use photosynthesis and water absorption to obtain nutrients and energy to grow. Mushrooms feed on decayed organic matter to obtain nutrients and do not require photosynthesis to flourish. Mushrooms consumption of dead plants and organisms is trait similar to species the animal kingdom. Consuming organic matter provides the mushrooms with a higher nutritional value than other vegetables.

Nutrition

Nutritionally, mushrooms are low in calories and fat but high in protein, dietary fiber, and carbohydrates. The vitamins and minerals within mushrooms are similar to those found meat and dairy. Per serving edible mushrooms contain smaller amounts of the same vitamins and minerals found in meat and dairy.

Mushrooms contain a variety of minerals and trace elements such as potassium, copper, and phosphorus. Mushrooms are also rich in nutrients and vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, choline, and folates. The most intriguing aspect of mushrooms is the health benefits that have been widely used in many cultures. In contrast, clinical scientific research on the medical benefits mushrooms is almost non-existent in modern societies.

Not Labelled

Displayed is a typical nutrition facts label for oyster mushrooms. However, the nutritional and health benefits of oyster mushrooms do not end with the information on the label. Most nutrition facts for mushrooms are generalized due the variety of methods available for mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms that are not commercially cultivated can contain unusually high amounts of the ergothioneine and glutathione, vitamins, minerals, and compounds. More info…