The Health Benefits of Mushrooms
By Sara Butler
There are only two things you need to know about eating mushrooms. The first, all mushrooms are edible. The second, some mushrooms are only edible once. As long as you stick to the mushrooms that are safe for human consumption at your grocery store, then they're actually a really healthy part of your diet. Here are just a few of the benefits of these fun fungi.
Mushrooms Keep You Young
A 2017 study out of Penn State found that mushrooms are really high in two antioxidants that, when eaten together, protect your body. Glutathione and ergothioneine work to protect your body from physical stressors that can cause visible signs of aging. They're like your own personal fountain of youth but in a much tastier and easier to find form.
Mushrooms Protect Your Brain as You Get Older
The antioxidants in mushrooms also work to help protect your brain. Eating just five button mushrooms per day can help to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's. The best way to preserve these antioxidants when preparing mushrooms is to grill or microwave them.
Mushrooms also help to boost your memory. Some studies have found that regular mushroom consumption helps reduce cognitive decline.
Mushrooms Help Your Heart
You can add mushrooms to many recipes in place of salt because they have a compound in them called glutamate ribonucleotides. These compounds are what give mushrooms their savory taste and since mushrooms are low in sodium, they won't have a negative impact on your blood pressure. You can also use mushrooms in place of meat in many dishes to help slash cholesterol, fat, and calories from the dish. All of that is great for your heart.
Mushrooms are Good for Your Bones
Mushrooms marked with UVB labels in the store have been exposed to sunlight as they were being grown. That may not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to their nutritional profile, it is. Mushrooms exposed to UVB are full of Vitamin D, which is great for your bones and your overall health.
Mushrooms Give Your Energy a Boost
Mushrooms are full of riboflavin, thiamine, folate, niacin, and pantothenic acid. These vitamins help your body to use the energy from food to produce red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to every part of the body, resulting in more energy.
Mushrooms are a great food, so learn how to use them in a variety of dishes to add some extra nutrition and ensure your good health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in South Jordan, Utah.
