Benefits of Mushrooms

Benefits of Mushrooms

A mushroom is the fleshy body of a fungus, which is usually produced above ground. Vegetarians often substitute mushrooms for meat in traditional meat dishes because of their somewhat tough, meaty texture. However, not all mushroom varieties are edible, and the consumption of poisonous species often result in sickness or even death. Therefore, it is important that you research which mushroom species are edible before picking them yourself (the mushrooms sold in supermarkets and stores, of course, are not likely to be poisonous!). Some popular edible mushrooms include cremini, shitake, and portobello, and almost all of them are nutritious on some level. Let's take a look at the benefits of mushrooms now.

List of Benefits

High in fiber - If you are a vegetarian or vegan and need a good source of fiber, mushrooms are a great choice because, like most vegetables, they contain extremely large amounts of it. Consequently, mushrooms assist in the regulation of your digestive system and relief from constipation.
High potassium content - Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which helps to reduce high blood pressure and prevent strokes. People who are allergic to multivitamins or potassium supplements will be especially glad to hear this news.
Prohibits cancer development - Eating mushrooms reduces the risk of cancer greatly due to their high phytochemical content. In fact, shitake mushrooms in particular are proven to block tumor growth in the body.
High levels of vitamin B12 - Mushrooms are high in vitamin B12, so if you are deficient in this important vitamin, consider adding more mushrooms in your diet.
Assists in weight loss - According to a medical study from Johns Hopkins University, adults who substituted mushrooms for meat in their meals consumed 400 fewer calories every day. This data shows that mushrooms have a positive effect on diet improvement, and that you can lose weight by making small dietary changes.
Very low in cholesterol - Another benefit of eating mushrooms is that they contain very little cholesterol, making them good for the heart. Adding mushrooms to a salad that contains other heart-friendly foods such as celery, carrots, corn, okra, and squash will make your heart squeal with joy!
Improving Flavor

One common complaint about mushrooms is that they lack flavor. Here are some ways to add spice to your mushrooms: If you are preparing a pot roast, sauté your mushrooms in red wine. Some of the juices from the pot roast will mix with the red wine, and the mushrooms will taste better. Another idea is to make a mushroom pasta sauce by chopping mushrooms and putting them a saucepan with cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, and a little vegetable broth.

Conclusion

Evidently, mushrooms have plenty of health benefits, so you should not let their alleged lack of flavor deter you from including them in your salads and cooked meals. After all, mushrooms assist in weight loss, cholesterol reduction, cancer prevention, and the provision of vitamin B12. In fact, mushrooms are now considered a superfood by many health experts, so there is no longer any reason why a health-conscious individual shouldn't try and experiment more with them.