The Health Benefits of Mushrooms
By Sara Butler
You may not give mushrooms a lot of thought, but if you're looking to up your nutrition game, then you may need to consider what these fun little fungi can do for you. Mushrooms are becoming more and more popular in health and nutrition circles and for good reason -- they're low in calories, full of important nutrients and rich in antioxidants. Here's what you need to know about mushrooms and how to work more into your diet.
A Few Great Benefits
There is a long list of perks that mushrooms can deliver. They:
- Provide Vitamin B to help boost your energy
- Provide potassium to support healthy heart function, blood pressure, and keep your muscles working as they should
- Are full of choline that helps support healthy memory, muscle movement, learning, and sleep
- Contain copper to help your body produce collagen and red blood cells that help transport oxygen throughout your body
- Provide selenium which can help to ward off depression, fatigue, anxiety, and stimulate the production of immune cells that help ward off illness
- Contain antioxidants that protect your cells from damage that can lead to disease as well as reduce inflammation
- Are full of fiber to help you feel fuller for longer and improve the way insulin works in your body
- Contain a large amount of Vitamin D
How to Get More Mushrooms
You don't have to be a lover of all things mushroom in order to give them more of a starring role in your diet. You can incorporate them into casseroles, soups, omelets, stir-fries, and even smoothies.
Here are a few quick times for preparing mushrooms:
- You can mix mushrooms with fresh chopped onion and saute for a side dish
- Create stuffed portabella mushroom caps by filling them up with your favorite ingredients (hello, pizza toppings!) and baking in the oven
- Top your favorite salad with sliced cremini mushrooms
- Use grilled portobello mushroom caps as a replacement for meat in sandwiches and wraps
And don't forget to explore the many different types of mushrooms out there -- you can find a lot more than just button mushrooms. Try:
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Oyster mushrooms
- Chanterelle mushrooms
- Porcini mushrooms
Each type of mushroom is unique, so get creative and see if you can find a favorite. No matter what kind you eat, though, there's no escaping the fact that they're incredibly good for you and a great addition to your diet.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in South Jordan, Utah.