We are in the middle of autumn, a season where a seasonal food takes on a special role: mushrooms. In addition to being highly appreciated for that special touch they give to our dishes, Mushrooms also provide important nutrients that benefit our health.
Although mushrooms are classified as vegetables in the food world, they are not technically a vegetable, but rather mushrooms.
Mushrooms stand out for their flavour in the world of cooking, considered a delicacy. But also in the world of health, we are talking about a portion of food with many healthy nutrients for our body.
Nutritional contribution of mushrooms
Mushrooms are known as functional foods, which refer to those foods that, in addition to their usual nutritional effects, have biological compounds with a positive effect on one or more functions of our body and, therefore, are beneficial to our health. , improving it or reducing the risk of suffering diseases.
Mushrooms stand out for their high biological value. They are low in sodium, fat, cholesterol and have very few calories. They provide the basic nutrition that our body needs daily. Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and fibres, they help prevent chronic diseases.
Although there are numerous species of mushrooms, the contribution of nutrients for each serving is practically the same. To get an idea, a cup of raw and chopped mushrooms contains:
15 calories
0gr. of fat
2.2gr of protein
2.3gr of carbohydratesMushrooms stand out for being rich in vitamins of group B and vitamin D. In them, minerals such as selenium, potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus stand out.
They are an excellent source of trace elements, among which chlorine, sulphur, boron, manganese and zinc stand out.
In its fibres, we find beta-glucans that improve resistance and keep cholesterol at bay while reducing the risk of obesity and strengthening our immunity.
They are also rich in choline, a nutrient that helps us sleep well and have a restful rest, but which also intervenes in nerve impulses, muscle movement, fat absorption and cognitive ability.
Benefits of eating mushrooms
We know that consuming plant foods is associated with a lower risk of contracting numerous diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer …
In the case of mushrooms, we find this same condition. Mushrooms are very rich in antioxidants.
The selenium present in mushrooms is a mineral that we also find in most fruits and vegetables. It is an antioxidant and among its functions are to promote liver function, detoxify the body, prevent inflammation and reduce the growth of tumours.
The vitamin D present in mushrooms also inhibits the growth of cancer cells, helping to regulate the cell cycle.
The folates that fungi provide us have an important role in the synthesis and repair of our DNA, preventing the formation of cancer cells.
Therefore, consuming mushrooms is beneficial for health, specifically for:
Diabetes: due to their high fibre content, they help reduce blood glucose levels.
Cardiovascular health: mushrooms contribute to cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure, cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Defences: mushrooms improve our body's immune response by protecting us from numerous infections.
Weight control: being rich in fibre, they are beneficial in weight loss diets. They also have a satiating effect that makes us eat less.
Brain Health: Mushrooms stimulate brain and nerve activity.
Anti-ageing: mushrooms act against the passage of time. Its antioxidants promote cellular oxygenation, fight free radicals and promote longevity.
Skin: mushrooms contain trace elements essential for collagen production; they are also rich in water, which ensures optimal skin hydration. They also promote skin healing, which is why they are used in cosmetic dermatology to combat eczema, rosacea and acne.
Hair loss: they are an important source of iron to help us considerably in hair loss cases due to anemia. Its selenium and copper content is essential for the formation of keratin and the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles.
Alkaline and detox: mushrooms are alkaline foods that help regulate acidity levels in the body. They act as a powerful natural detoxifier, ridding our liver of impurities.
Anticancer: Mushrooms, especially the shiitake and maitake species, contain lectins responsible for stimulating the immune system and inhibiting tumour growth.
Anti-inflammatory: the anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms are effective in fighting anti-inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.Oyster Mushroom: great tasting mushroom with important medicinal properties
The oyster mushroom relaxes muscles, tendons and joints is an important supplier of vitamin B and contain all amino acids.
The 8 health benefits of consuming Oyster Mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus is rich in B vitamins, contains folic acid, and vitamins C and D; in addition, a quarter of its dry matter consists of vegetable protein.
This mushroom can play an important role as a supplier of vitamin B, especially for vegetarians and people with high levels of uric acid or gout, since this vitamin is generally obtained by consuming fish, red meat and offal.
Vitamin B is responsible for the function of nerve cells and muscles. At the same time, vitamin D (calciferol) promotes bone formation and prevents osteoporosis.
Pleurotus’s folic acid is important for blood formation and promotes the growth of young cells in the bone marrow. It also contains polysaccharides, which have an antioxidant effect and can reduce metastasis. Finally, a protein has been detected in Pleurotus that has antiviral properties.
Here is a list of all the benefits of Pleurotus stratus or Oyster Mushroom according to research carried out by MykoTroph:
1.- Promotes bone formation and prevents osteoporosis.
2.- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.
3.- Reduces the spread of metastasis.
4.- It has antiviral properties.
5.- Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and liver.
6.- Supports the growth of (good) probiotic bacteria in the intestine.
7.- Positive effect on the intestinal flora and immune systems (very useful after antibiotic therapy).
8.-Relax the muscles, tendons and joints; favours the veins.
