The Magical Health Benefits of Mushrooms
By Sara Butler
There are many different kinds of mushrooms in the world. No matter what your favorite is, you can rest assured that they are one of the healthiest things you keep in your kitchen. Here are just a few of the amazing ways these fantastic fungi work to improve your health and wellness!
Vitamins and Minerals
Many different varieties of mushrooms contain selenium, which happens to be good for your bladder. And just like humans, mushrooms produce Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight (crazy!), so they’re an excellent source of this important vitamin. Vitamin D is very important because it helps you to absorb the nutrients found in other foods, such as phosphorus and calcium. Mushrooms are also a great source of iron and are low in calories.
Cholesterol Rescue
Mushrooms are a source of lean protein with no cholesterol or fat, and they’re very low in carbohydrates. Certain enzymes contained in mushrooms, along with fiber, help to lower your cholesterol levels. This can help to prevent certain cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and atherosclerosis.
Cancer Fighting
Mushrooms have been found in some studies to reduce the chance of developing prostate and breast cancer. This is due to the presence of conjugated linoleic acid and beta-glucans in mushrooms, which both have cancer-fighting properties.
Improved Bone Health
Mushrooms are a great source of calcium, a nutrient essential to the formation and strength of your bones. A steady calcium supply in the diet can help reduce the chance of developing osteoporosis (or “brittle bones”) as you get old. It can also help to reduce joint pain and improve mobility, both of which are issues related to bone degradation associated with age.
Immune System Health
Mushrooms contain antioxidants are very effective in supporting a healthy and fully functional immune system. They’re high in an antioxidant called ergothioneine, which is unique to mushrooms and can give a pretty significant boost to your immune system function. It helps to eliminate the free radicals in your system, which can contribute to disease and damage to cells.
Mushrooms also happen to contain a natural antibiotic that is similar to penicillin, which helps to prevent microbial growth and other infections. That’s a pretty cool side effect of fixing up some of these flavorsome fungi!
The next time you're wondering how to add a little something extra to your meal, look no further than the humble mushroom!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Acworth, Ga.