The contents of these lessons are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These presentations do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Mushrooms are full of compounds that have medicinal benefits to humans. But why?
1) Antifungal, Antiviral, and Antibacterial Properties
Mushrooms live in a competitive world. They need to outcompete other molds and fungi that are looking for the same food sources as they are.
They also need to fight off bacteria and other pests who may want to eat them.
Just like poisonous animals and insects that use toxins to protect themselves, mushrooms do the same thing to prevent being eaten or taken over by other lifeforms.
Many of the compounds they produce to do this aren’t harmful to humans and act as natural antibiotics in our bodies when we consume them.
2) Vitamin And Mineral Content
Mushrooms produce the same wide range of vitamins and minerals that you’d expect to get from eating fruits and vegetables.
In fact, mushrooms produce vitamin B and vitamin D that most plants lack, so they are an excellent way for vegetarians and vegans to add extra nutrition to their diet.
All vitamins and minerals have an impact on human health. Being deficient in any certain element can lead to disease and other problems.
So eating mushrooms is a great way to add extra nutrition to your diet and keep yourself healthy. Mushrooms are also low in calories and sodium, but contain a good amount of protein.
3) Source Of Fiber
Mushrooms contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, so they make a great addition to your diet. Fiber is essential in maintaining intestinal health and can lower the risk of colorectal cancer and other diseases.
Fiber also makes you feel fuller for longer, so eating mushrooms that are high in fiber can be helpful for weight loss. You’re likely to eat less if you feel full and satisfied for longer.
Plus mushrooms are energy dense, meaning they have fewer calories for the same volume of food as many other things we eat.
4) High In Antioxidants
Free radicals are when oxygen molecules in our body split off into single atoms with unpaired electrons.
These electrons search throughout your body for other electrons that they can match with to form a pair. Along the way, they cause damage to your cells and DNA.
Free radicals are caused by a number of things such as UV sunlight and inflammation. As well as parts of our modern life like air pollution and smoking.
Mushrooms contain compounds called antioxidants that seek out free radicals and remove them from our bodies. This decreases the amount of oxidative stress in our bodies and damage done to our cells and DNA.
In particular mushrooms contain high amounts of the antioxidants glutathione and ergothioneine.
Wild porcini mushrooms contain the highest amount of antioxidants of any mushrooms, although all varieties naturally contain these compounds.
5) Beta Glucan
All mushrooms contain high amounts of beta glucan. This substance helps to stimulate the immune system and may offer a number of other health benefits. Including helping with allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions.
Shiitake and maitake mushrooms are especially rich in beta glucan.
6) Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are long complex chains of molecules bonded together.
Mushrooms are full of a wide range of polysaccharides. Potentially 50 or more of the compounds across different varieties of mushrooms.
Different polysaccharides have different benefits. The ones found in mushrooms offer a wide range of benefits including anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, and antibiotic properties.
7) Other Compounds
Altogether, mushrooms potentially contain hundreds of compounds with medical benefits. These range from boosting the immune system to anti-tumor compounds.
More and more beneficial compounds in fungi are being found by scientists every year.
In reality our knowledge of fungi and all of their potential benefits are still in the early stages.
For now, let’s look at 3 that are among the most popular and with the strongest known health benefits.
1. Reishi
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been using reishi for hundreds of years. It is considered the “longevity” mushroom in many parts of the world.
There is strong evidence that reishi can help:
– Boost your immune system
– Have anti-cancer properties
– Fight fatigue
– Protect your heart
– Can help control blood sugar levels
– Provide antioxidant protection
It is mostly used in powder form (capsules or loose powder) but can also be found in tea and tincture form
2. Chaga
This mushroom has been used for centuries in Siberia, Scandinavia and parts of Northern Canada to help improve overall health. It is so powerful indeed that a single cup of chaga tea can provide almost all of the antioxidants you need in a day.
In addition to antioxidants, evidence shows that chaga mushrooms can help you:
– Prevent cancer
– Lower blood sugar levels
– Lower cholesterol
3. Shiitake
This is a yummy edible mushroom. I’m particularly obsessed with them because they have a smoky flavor when oven roasted and are incredibly tasty in soups, stews, salads other dishes.
There is strong scientific data showing how shiitake can help:
– Boost health
– Protect against cancer
– Reduce inflammation
– Increase circulation
Now, have you tried or are ready to try these magical ‘shrooms? Have you tried others that you love?