Great Information About Mushrooms
Margaret Minnicks is a health-conscious person who researches the health benefits of foods and drinks.
(Photo via Pixabay)
Some people know nothing about mushrooms and stay clear of them. Others either love them or hate them. If you don't eat mushrooms, you are missing out on their health benefits.
Read this article about mushrooms. Give them a try and discover why you should eat them every chance you get.
What Are Mushrooms?
Even though mushrooms are used in medicines and have other uses, this article focuses on mushrooms as food.
Edible mushrooms are spongy with a texture like meat. People who don't eat meat consume mushrooms as a meat substitute. Mushrooms were once considered to be an exotic ingredient and were available only in Egypt for royalty. Commoners were banned from purchasing the food. The ancient Romans thought mushrooms could give strength to their warriors.
Today, mushrooms are available for all who want them. They can be added to soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, stir-fries, pizzas, and used as garnishes.
(Photo by Waldemar Brandt via unsplash.com)
Mushrooms are not consumed as much in the United States as they are used extensively in cooking in China, Korea, Japan, and Europe. China produces about half of all edible mushrooms. Most of the 1.4 billion people in China consume about 6 pounds of mushrooms every year. Poland has been the world's largest mushroom exporter with over 214,000 tons shipped annually.
Mushrooms that are sold in supermarkets are safe to eat because they have been grown on mushroom farms in sterilized conditions.
Nutrition of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are extremely high in nutritional value. Raw brown mushrooms contain the following ingredients:
- about 3.5 ounces contain only 22 calories
- one cup provides 3 grams of fiber
- 92% water
- 4% carbohydrates
- 2% protein
- less than 1% fat
- 20% or more of the daily value of B vitamins
- riboflavin
- niacin
- pantothenic acid
- selenium
- copper
- phosphorus
- potassium
- zinc
- loaded with Vitamins A, B, C and D
- no sodium
Health Benefits of Eating Mushrooms
Mushrooms are delicious and have some amazing health benefits. A study conducted by the Department of Nutrition Science at the University of Buffalo shows that eating mushrooms regularly can have benefits in the following ways:
Did you know that you can eat mushrooms in the place of meat?
1. Have Cancer-Fighting Properties
Researches have discovered that mushrooms have cancer-fighting properties. The consumption of mushrooms on a regular basis was linked significantly to limiting the growth of cancer cells, especially in the breasts and stomach.
2. Burn Excess Cholesterol
Mushrooms are full of lean proteins that burn excess cholesterol and fat in the body. The high protein content helps reduce the chances of some cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
3. Boost the Immune System
Mushrooms have natural antibiotics and anti-fungal properties that help boost the immune system and rid the body of various infections. The content of Vitamin A, B-Complex, and C helps to strengthen the immune system.
4. Maintain Bone Health
Mushrooms have a high content of calcium, a necessary nutrient to maintain strong bones. The chances of developing conditions that affect the bones and joint pain are reduced when a person regularly eats mushrooms regularly.
5. Good for Diabetics
Mushrooms are a great source of chromium which helps maintain blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The superfood is also low in carbohydrates and fats which further help diabetics control the disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
6. Help with Weight Management
If you are having problems losing weight, here is good news for you. Because mushrooms contain a great deal of fiber, they help improve digestion and boost metabolism. They are ideal to include in your meal plans because they do not contain any fat or carbohydrates.
7. High in Vitamin D
Vitamin D is not commonly found in fruits or vegetables. However, mushrooms do contain vitamin D. They get the nutrient from the sun the same way as humans. This makes them ideal for vegans who may not get enough vitamin D from the foods they eat.
8. Anti-Aging Food
Unlike most foods, mushrooms contain high amounts of anti-aging properties. In fact, mushrooms are one of the highest dietary sources of anti-aging compounds.
9. Easy Dishes to Make
No matter how you choose to use mushrooms, they are quick, easy, and convenient to prepare.
10. Not Expensive
The price of mushrooms depends on the type and the amount you purchase. Some popular mushrooms include white buttons, oyster, portabello, shiitake, and several others. You also have a choice of purchasing sliced mushrooms or whole ones. You can buy them fresh, frozen, or already cooked in cans. No matter which ones you choose to buy, you can probably get them for about $3 or $4.
The Mushroom Cookbook
Now that you know more about the nutritional value of mushrooms and some of their benefits, try The Mushroom Cookbook with 3,097 delicious recipes that are easy to prepare. The cost of the ebook is only $0.99. You can download and begin to use it immediately.
Sources
5 Amazing Reasons to Add Mushrooms to Your Daily Meals
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Comments
Margaret Minnicks (author) from Richmond, VA on September 06, 2021:
Chitrangada Sharan and Peggy Woods, Thanks so much for reading and commenting on my article about mushrooms. When I discover exciting information, I like sharing it with others.
I also wrote the article "Eat Mushrooms Instead of Meat" on another site. It is just as interesting as the one you read. https://vocal.media/feast/eat-mushrooms-instead-of...
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on September 04, 2021:
Great informative article about Mushrooms. They are versatile, and can be used in many different ways in recipes, and It is one of my favourite food.
Well written article about the health benefits too. Thank you for sharing.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on September 04, 2021:
We enjoy eating mushrooms in our meals. It is fantastic that they have so many health benefits.
Liza from USA on September 04, 2021:
Yes, I agreed. A lot of meat dishes can be substituted with mushrooms. I think my first vegetarian burger at the restaurant was using portabella mushroom as the main patty. It was delicious. My sister-in-law is a vegetarian so, we decided to try all-vegetarian burgers. Oh yea, enjoy the long weekend :)
Margaret Minnicks (author) from Richmond, VA on September 04, 2021:
Liza, thanks for reading my article and commenting. I forgot to mention using mushrooms in scrambled eggs and omelets even though I do. My daughter informed me that mushrooms could be used in place of meat in soups, salads, sandwiches, and other meals. That is good information for people who want to cut back on eating meat. They can eat mushrooms instead. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
Liza from USA on September 04, 2021:
One of the best ingredients I use in my cooking is mushrooms. I used it in vegetable stir-fry, fried rice, noodles, scrambled eggs, omelet, and much more. I'm glad to know a lot about mushrooms' benefits on our health from the article. Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend.
