Many people share a love-hate relationship with mushrooms. Some people treat it as fungus and can’t even imagine having a bite of any food item with mushrooms. On the other hand, some people know its health benefits and begin eating them. So much so they start trying different ways to grow their favorites at home. You can buy spores online to grow the mushrooms.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average person in America ends up consuming approximately three pounds of mushrooms in one year. It has various health benefits, making it more reasonable for people to add to their diets.
They contribute to warding off chronic illnesses and also help in improving the everyday health of people. But, it is a natural approach and should be considered part of one’s diet.
There are various reasons to add this wonder food to your diet that are discussed as follows:
1. Decreasing The Cancer Risk
The 17 cancer studies conducted from 1966 to 2020 were reviewed, and it showed that eating approximately 18 grams of mushrooms, which is about two medium-sized mushrooms, can help reduce cancer diagnoses by 45%. However, the number will vary from one individual to another.
They are a powerful source of ergothioneine, antioxidants, and amino acids that help prevent or slow down cellular damage. Various mushroom varieties like oyster, maitake and the king oyster have a good amount of ergothioneine. But, some researches support that including any mushroom in your diet will help reduce cancer-related risks.
2. Reduces The Sodium Intake In The Body
Sodium is directly related to issues like high blood pressure in the body. Higher sodium intake induces the body to retain excess fluid that can increase blood pressure.
If you want to reduce the sodium levels in your body, consider taking mushrooms. Adding them to the diet will help, as mushrooms are naturally low in sodium. Also, their savory flavor helps reduce the added salt that will help reduce the blood pressure levels of the body.
3. Excellent Nutritional Value
Many myths revolve around the use and consumption of mushrooms. Mushrooms are fungi, and that’s why many people are tricked into thinking that mushrooms don’t have any nutritional value. However, this is a myth.
Mushrooms have a high antioxidant level, followed by other body essentials like vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamin B and B12. the availability is excellent for vegan people as it is equivalent to what is offered by the intake of animal products by non-vegetarians. Also, they are filling and low in calories.
You can consume it in any form, like salads and raw foods. They are known for their anti-carcinogenic properties that help cancel many health risks.
4. Unqestionable Medicinal Value
There have been many questions related to the medicinal value attached to the consumption of mushrooms. There have been credible studies with the same motive, and they have published that therapeutic value is attached to mushrooms.
In recent decades, many scientists have revolved their survey around the Reishi mushroom. It is a significant ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine and is known to have helped improve people’s health and longevity.
It is a popular medicine and is used in other countries like Japan, and Korea, too. Further, studies show that this mushroom’s intake benefits the cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, and respiratory systems.
5. Management Of The Cholesterol Levels In The Body
Mushroom is for vegetarians and vegans, and red meat is for people who love eating non-vegetarian food. It helps in maintaining the fat and cholesterol levels in the body. Further, another research revolves around the study of shiitake mushrooms, which has concluded that it helps keep the body’s cholesterol levels low.
Mushrooms contain compounds that inhibit the cholesterol production levels of the body and also block it from being entirely absorbed by the body and its organs. Also, it helps in reducing the overall cholesterol levels of your blood.
6. Protecting The Brain Health
The consumption of mushrooms has always kept people divided. One sect of people will go to any extent to retain its presence as a fungus in their mind and never think of consuming it. There are others who love cooking and eating it in different formats.
However, few are in the middle and will be fine if they eat mushrooms or if they don’t. Hence, there are many types of research that surround this food item.
So, the next question is whether the intake of mushrooms is good for one’s brain.
There is another research for the same that studies the effects of mushrooms on a diet. The research concluded that eating mushrooms directly relates to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is responsible for memory and language difficulties in a human. Also, it is a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease.
Another study in Singapore concluded in its research that if a person takes approximately two cups of mushrooms in a week, it helps reduce the risk of developing MCI by 50%. You can consume one cup if you can’t eat two cups in a week. You will still see it benefitting your health.
7. Healthy Immune System And A Healthier Gut
They contain micronutrients that help in improving the immune system. It has selenium, vitamin D, and B6. If your body is not forming red blood cells, or proteins, shiitake mushrooms are the best source to stimulate the same.
The human gut has a microbiome in the gut that, further, has organisms and bacteria. They play a significant role in altering your health and mood. If you want to keep your gut healthy, you should think of prebiotics. Interestingly, mushrooms are home to prebiotics, so your job is half done.
Conclusion
If you want to stay healthy and ensure that your immune system is functioning correctly, consider looking at your lifestyle and the kind of food items you help your body with. Mushrooms are an underrated food item that has many health benefits to bring to the table. Hence, you should add it to your diet.
