Emma Wilson
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, particularly in China, Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia, where they are used both as food and traditional medicine. They are also known as sawtooth oak mushrooms, black forest mushrooms, black mushrooms, golden oak mushrooms, or oakwood mushrooms. With a rich, earthy, and distinctive meaty taste, these mushrooms are packed with nutrients and health benefits. But do shiitake mushrooms contain protein?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9% of calories come from protein, with 2.3g of protein per cup (145g) |
| Calories | 81 calories per cup (145g) |
| Carbohydrates | 88% of calories come from carbs, with 21g of carbohydrates per cup |
| Fat | 0.3g of fat per cup, with 3% of calories from fat |
| Vitamins | Good source of B vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin K |
| Minerals | Good source of copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and potassium |
| Fiber | High in fiber |
| Bioactive Compounds | Eritadenine, sterols, beta-glucans, polysaccharides, terpenoids, and lipids |
| Health Benefits | May promote heart health, reduce cancer risk, improve immunity, lower cholesterol, and reduce inflammation |
| Allergens | Rare cases of allergy and dermatitis reported, especially with raw shiitake mushrooms |
| Traditional Medicine | Used in traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian medicine for over 1000 years |
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What You'll Learn
- Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, with 2.3g per cup
- They are also a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids
- Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories, fat, and protein
- They have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine
- The mushrooms may also help to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, with 2.3g per cup
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are a good source of protein, with 2.3g per cup (145g). They are native to East Asia and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, as well as in the medical traditions of Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia. In China, shiitake mushrooms are believed to boost health and longevity and improve circulation.
Shiitake mushrooms are a low-calorie food, with one cup containing 81 calories, 9% of which come from protein. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins B and D, zinc, copper, selenium, and choline. The mushrooms contain eritadenine, a compound known to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, as well as beta-glucans, which have anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent the intestines from absorbing cholesterol.
Shiitake mushrooms are also a good source of plant-based nutrients that can be harder to come by, such as vitamin D, which the mushrooms can produce by sunbathing their gills. Vitamin D helps the body release serotonin, contributing to a positive mood. Shiitake mushrooms also contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein. The amino acids in shiitake mushrooms include glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which give the mushrooms their distinctive savory, umami-rich flavor.
In addition to their nutritional benefits, shiitake mushrooms have been used medicinally for centuries. They are known to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and support gut health. Studies suggest that some of the bioactive compounds in shiitake mushrooms may protect against cancer and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, many of these studies have been conducted on animals or in test tubes, and more research is needed to confirm the effects on humans.
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They are also a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, with 2.3g of protein per 145g serving. They are also a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. This is impressive, as complete proteins are usually only associated with animal products.
Shiitake mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and are also part of the medical traditions of Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia. They are thought to boost health and longevity, as well as improve circulation. The mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that may protect against cancer and inflammation.
The amino acid profile of shiitake mushrooms includes glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which contribute to the mushroom's savory, umami-rich flavor. In addition to being a complete protein, shiitake mushrooms offer numerous health benefits, such as boosting immunity and helping to manage cholesterol. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, zinc, copper, and selenium.
With their diverse amino acid profile, shiitake mushrooms are a nutritious and sustainable source of complete protein. They have been used for thousands of years as both nourishing food and medicine and continue to be a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine.
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Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories, fat, and protein
Shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinula edodes, are a low-calorie food. One cup of shiitake mushrooms (approximately 145 grams) provides only 81 calories, 88% of which come from carbohydrates, 9% from protein, and 3% from fat. This equates to 2.3 grams of protein, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.3 grams of fat per serving.
Shiitake mushrooms are also a good source of dietary fiber, with 3 grams of fiber per cup. They are rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, copper, selenium, and choline. Additionally, they contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that has immune-boosting and cholesterol-lowering properties.
Native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea, and China, shiitake mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and as a nourishing food. They have a rich, earthy, and distinctive meaty flavor, with a chewy texture.
While shiitake mushrooms offer various health benefits, it is important to note that consuming them raw may cause dermatitis due to the presence of lentinan, a compound that provides many of the mushroom's health benefits. Cooking the mushrooms can help avoid this allergic reaction, but it may also reduce the benefits derived from lentinan.
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They have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, with 145g providing 2.3g of protein. They are also prized for their rich, earthy, and distinctive taste. Beyond their culinary uses, shiitake mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine.
Native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea, and China, Lentinula edodes grows on fallen logs. The species has a long history of use throughout East Asia, with people collecting wild shiitake for both food and traditional medicine. In China, shiitake mushrooms are thought to boost health and longevity, as well as improve circulation. They are also believed to possess anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, shiitake mushrooms are thought to have bioactive compounds that may protect against cancer and inflammation. However, many of these studies have been conducted on animals or in test tubes, and the doses used often exceed those that would be consumed by people. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms are believed to contain compounds that help lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
In Japan, the samurai warriors controlled most of the production of shiitake mushrooms for the aristocracy. The mushrooms gained their widely accepted name from the Japanese words "shii" and "take", which refer to the hardwood tree species they commonly grow on and the word for mushroom, respectively.
While shiitake mushrooms are generally safe when cooked and eaten in food amounts, consuming them uncooked may cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation known as shiitake dermatitis. This reaction typically resolves itself within one to two weeks, but cooking the mushrooms before consumption can help to avoid it.
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The mushrooms may also help to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation
Shiitake mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and are also part of the medical traditions of Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia. In Chinese medicine, shiitake are thought to boost health and longevity, as well as improve circulation. They are also used as a natural remedy in alternative medicine.
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of vitamins and minerals. They are rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, copper, and selenium. They also contain eritadenine, sterols, and beta-glucans, which are known to reduce cholesterol levels and inhibit cholesterol production and absorption. These compounds also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help prevent the intestines from absorbing cholesterol.
Several studies in rats have shown that shiitake mushrooms can lower cholesterol and reduce fat in the liver, plaque on artery walls, and lower cholesterol levels. One study in humans gave participants two dried shiitake mushrooms daily, and after one month, their inflammation levels dropped.
The amount of bioactive compounds in shiitake depends on how and where the mushrooms are grown, stored, and prepared. Cooking shiitake mushrooms before consuming them can avoid an allergic reaction that may cause dermatitis.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, shiitake mushrooms contain protein. A cup of shiitake mushrooms (145g) provides 2.3g of protein.
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, zinc, copper, and selenium. They are also rich in beta-glucans, which have anti-inflammatory properties and support immunity. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and are believed to boost health and longevity.
Shiitake mushrooms are not considered a common allergen, but it is possible to be allergic to them. Consuming raw shiitake mushrooms may cause dermatitis due to the presence of lentinan, a compound that provides many of the mushroom's health benefits. Cooking the mushrooms can help avoid this reaction.
