Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a staple in many kitchens, adding flavour and nutrition to a variety of dishes. They are also a source of numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing the risk of cancer, and lowering blood pressure. In addition, mushrooms have been found to have medicinal properties, with ongoing research exploring their potential in treating mild cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, mushrooms may play a role in environmental conservation, with their ability to clean up oil spills, break down toxic chemicals, and provide a natural defence against certain diseases. With their dense and meaty texture, mushrooms are a popular meat substitute, offering a savoury flavour that reduces the need for added salt. However, fresh mushrooms have a short shelf life, and proper storage is essential to maintain their quality and extend their freshness. This includes avoiding plastic containers that trap moisture and can lead to slime formation, and instead opting for paper bags or glass containers with breathable coverings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Benefits | Mushrooms are a rich source of potassium, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, zinc, protein, and fiber. They are also known to contain antimicrobial and antiviral compounds. |
| Medicinal Purposes | Mushrooms have been used to create antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs. They are also being studied for their potential in treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. |
| Environmental Benefits | Oyster mushrooms can be used to clean up waterborne oil spills. |
| Storage | Mushrooms should be stored in cool, dry, dark places to prevent mold growth and ensure freshness. They can be stored in paper bags or containers with desiccants like silica gel packs to absorb moisture. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, B6, selenium, potassium and zinc
- They can be used to treat high blood pressure and lower cholesterol
- Mushrooms can help protect your brain from mild cognitive impairment
- They contain proven disease-fighting chemicals, including antimicrobial and antiviral compounds
- Oyster mushrooms can be used to clean up oil spills
Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, B6, selenium, potassium and zinc
Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, B6, selenium, potassium, and zinc. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet.
Vitamin D is typically sourced from animal products, supplements, or sunshine. However, mushrooms are a notable exception in the plant world, as they contain ergosterol, which transforms into vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight. This makes mushrooms an excellent dietary source of vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function, and reduces inflammation.
Vitamin B6 is another essential nutrient found in mushrooms. It plays a crucial role in helping the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. Additionally, B vitamins, in general, are important for maintaining a healthy brain and nervous system.
Selenium, another nutrient abundant in mushrooms, helps the body produce antioxidant enzymes, which work to prevent cell damage.
Potassium, found in high amounts in mushrooms, is a mineral and electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and maintain cardiovascular health. It does this by lessening the tension in blood vessels, thereby potentially lowering blood pressure.
Finally, mushrooms are a good source of zinc, an important nutrient for supporting the immune system and ensuring optimal growth in infants and children.
In addition to these nutrients, mushrooms also contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. They are also a source of protein, fiber, and various antioxidants, which can help protect the body from stress and prevent or slow cell damage.
The nutritional value of mushrooms contributes to their potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers, improving heart health, and supporting weight loss when combined with exercise and healthy lifestyle habits.
Tripping and Thirsty? Safe Beverage Options for Mushroom Trips
You may want to see also
They can be used to treat high blood pressure and lower cholesterol
Mushrooms are a nutrient powerhouse and a savoury treat. They are a good source of antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals. They can be used to treat high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
Research has shown that consuming mushrooms can help lower blood pressure. A review published in 2020 analysed eight clinical trials that investigated oyster mushrooms. The studies found improvements in blood sugar control and reduced levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fat). They also saw reductions in blood pressure. Maitake mushrooms were found to significantly reduce the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in an eight-week study. Another study found that high-dose Shiitake mushrooms increased hepatic accumulation of triacylglycerol in rats fed a high-fat diet.
Mushrooms are also a rich, low-calorie source of fibre, protein, selenium and antioxidants. Selenium helps prevent cell damage in our bodies, and antioxidants like ergothioneine (ET) can help repair it. Studies have shown that the ET compound in mushrooms helped counteract the development of plaques in arteries, which can lead to coronary artery disease, a major cause of heart disease. Beta-glucans, also found in mushrooms, can reduce cholesterol levels.
In addition to their health benefits, mushrooms offer a savoury flavour to meals without adding much fat, calories or sodium. They are naturally low in sodium, with an entire cup of white button mushrooms containing just five milligrams of sodium. This can help reduce blood pressure as sodium causes the body to retain excess fluid, increasing blood pressure.
While the evidence for the health benefits of mushrooms is limited, they are a healthy and delicious addition to any diet.
Mushroom Makeup: What Are They Made Of?
You may want to see also
Mushrooms can help protect your brain from mild cognitive impairment
Mushrooms have been shown to have a variety of health benefits, from helping to keep cholesterol levels low to providing antimicrobial and antiviral compounds. They are also a source of vitamin D, which is rare for produce.
In addition, researchers have found that mushrooms may be able to help protect your brain from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and causes memory and language difficulties. A study from Singapore found that participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms a week had a 50% lower risk of developing MCI. Even those who ate only one cup saw some benefit. The mushrooms eaten by participants in the study included golden, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms.
The supplementation of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has also been associated with a reduction in the probability of suffering from mild cognitive impairment. Lion's Mane is a medicinal mushroom with pharmacological activities in preventing many age-associated neurological dysfunctions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
While the research is still ongoing, the evidence suggests that mushrooms can play a role in protecting the brain from mild cognitive impairment.
Mushrooms: Ancient Superfood, Why They're Popular
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$15.99 $14.95
They contain proven disease-fighting chemicals, including antimicrobial and antiviral compounds
Mushrooms are a nutritious food packed with vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in protein and fibre. However, the focus of this discussion is on the disease-fighting chemicals found in mushrooms and their potential to save the world.
Mushrooms contain a host of proven disease-fighting chemicals, including polysaccharides, glycoproteins, ergosterols, and triterpenoids, as well as antimicrobial and antiviral compounds. These compounds vary according to species and strain. For example, white button mushrooms have just five milligrams of sodium per cup, while shiitake mushrooms are known to help keep cholesterol levels low.
The pharmaceutical industry has derived a handful of medications from mushrooms, including antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs. Ganomycin, derived from reishi mushrooms, and campestrin, derived from meadow mushrooms, are antibiotics that have been developed from mushrooms. Calvacin, derived from giant puffballs, and Illudin S, derived from jack-o'-lantern mushrooms, are chemotherapy drugs that have been created from mushrooms.
Research has also shown that mushrooms can help protect the brain from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In one study, participants aged 60 and older who consumed more than two cups of mushrooms per week had a significantly lower risk of developing MCI. Additionally, mushrooms rich in polyphenols and certain antioxidants may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Beyond their medicinal value, mushrooms have potential applications in environmental remediation. For example, oyster mushrooms can be used to clean up oil spills, and certain mushrooms may provide a defence against smallpox and help break down toxic chlorine-based polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Mushrooms: Nature's Plastic-Eating Superheroes
You may want to see also
Oyster mushrooms can be used to clean up oil spills
The EPA asked Stamets, a mycologist, to help the Coast Guard find ways to clean up waterborne oil spills. Stamets invented the myco-boom, which has been tested in the waters of the Puget Sound, with a salinity of approximately 3.3%, only 0.2% less than the average salinity of the world's oceans.
Myco-remediation is a valuable component in the toolset of solutions to address oil spills. While there is more oil spilled than there is currently mycelium available, we know how to generate more mycelium. One of the oyster mushroom strains (Pleurotus ostreatus) is tolerant of saltwater exposure. The mycelium fully colonizes saltwater-soaked straw.
The 'aged compost' that is produced after mushrooms are harvested is rich in enzymes and is well-suited for myco-remediation purposes. Most mushroom farms generate this compost by the ton and are eager for it to be used elsewhere.
In addition to oyster mushrooms, other types of fungi have been found to be useful in cleaning up the environment. For example, a fungus discovered in the Amazon can eat polyurethane plastic, and radiation-loving mushrooms are being used to clean up the area around Japan's Fukushima reactor.
The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Enoki Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fresh mushrooms have a firm texture and may be slightly damp. Sliminess is a sign that your fresh fungi are reaching a point of no return. In general, button mushrooms should be eaten within five days of purchasing. However, storing them in a brown paper bag can extend their shelf life.
The best way to store mushrooms is in their original container. After opening the package, you can move your mushrooms to a paper bag. Do not use plastic! When stored in their original container until opened and then moved to a paper bag, the moisture they naturally retain is slowly released. In a sealed plastic bag, the trapped moisture will cause your mushrooms to age quickly.
Sliminess is a sign that fresh mushrooms are about to decompose. Spots are not necessarily a sign of spoilage unless combined with other signs of expiration. Wrinkles mean your mushroom is starting to dry out from being in the fridge for too long.
Magic mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, ideally below 70°F (21°C). Avoid exposing them to high temperatures, as this can degrade the psilocybin compound. Freezing can cause the formation of ice crystals, potentially damaging the integrity of the compounds.
