National Mushroom Month

This month we celebrate mushrooms and all of their incredible health benefits! Although they’re actually fungi, mushrooms are lumped in the vegetable category for cooking purposes. Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years as medicines in different parts of the world, and still are today! This is because they are nutritional powerhouses, with different kinds of mushrooms providing special health benefits.

All types of edible mushrooms contain varying degrees of protein and fiber. The combination of protein and fiber aids weight loss because it helps you feel fuller for longer, aids with digestion and regulates metabolism, while the protein found in mushrooms gives you energy.

Mushrooms are loaded with antioxidants, and are unique in their high levels of a powerful antioxidant called selenium, which helps to support the immune system and prevent damage to cells and tissues. In fact, it is the produce with the highest amount of selenium! Also, out of the many antioxidants present in mushrooms, ergothioneine is an antioxidant that is effective in protecting your body from any free radicals. Mushrooms also contain natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties that help you get rid of various infections.

Mushrooms are rich in the B vitamins: riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. The combination helps protect heart health. Riboflavin is good for red blood cells. Niacin is good for the digestive system and for maintaining healthy skin. Pantothenic acid is good for the nervous system and helps the body make the hormones it needs.

Mushrooms boast high levels of beta glucan, which is a form of soluble dietary fiber that’s been strongly linked to improving cholesterol and boosting heart health. It can also help your body regulate blood sugar, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are believed to have the most effective beta glucans.

Mushrooms have been shown to have some therapeutic properties that can help to lower cholesterol, particularly in overweight adults, as well as phytonutrients that can help prevent cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and forming plaque build-up. This in turn then helps protect the heart by maintaining healthy blood pressure and circulation.Those on a low cholesterol diet have even more reason to love mushrooms because they contain no fat or cholesterol. They can also be used as a healthy substitute for meat in many dishes, such as portobello mushroom burgers.

Mushrooms contain abundant calcium which is an essential nutrient to maintain strong bones. Consuming mushrooms regularly can help reduce chances of developing bone-related conditions including osteoporosis, joint pain, and other disorders related to bone degeneration.

In particular, white button mushrooms are one of the few non-animal sources of vitamin D. Where they are grown, whether indoor or outdoor, they are exposed to UV light which increases their concentration of vitamin D.

The copper in mushrooms helps your body make red blood cells, which are used to deliver oxygen all over the body. The mineral is also important to other processes in the body, like maintaining healthy bones and nerves. Even after being cooked, a 1-cup serving of mushrooms can provide about one-third of the daily recommended amount of copper.

These fungi are also a good source of potassium, which is extremely important when it comes to heart, muscle, and nerve function. There’s about as much potassium in 2/3 cup of cooked Portobello mushroom as there is in a medium-sized banana.

Certain varieties of mushrooms have been shown to have potential in protecting against cancer by protecting our cells against DNA damage but also inhibiting tumour formation. There is also evidence that mushrooms may be beneficial in the treatment and management of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s!

Many varieties are in season year round, which means you can enjoy fresh mushrooms that maintain their optimal amount of nutrients at any time! Mushrooms are also easy and fast to grow at home. It is important to consume organic mushrooms because they do not have skins and will fully absorb all characteristics of the soil and growing conditions into the plant.

Mushrooms are incredibly versatile. You can prepare them in so many ways and pair them with tons of different ingredients. Slice them up raw and toss them in a salad, grill them, sauté them, or roast them. Add them to soups, sandwiches, wraps, casseroles, and Italian dishes. Mushrooms work well as a side dish, or as the main course for vegetarians. There are so many ways to prepare and cook mushrooms that even those who claim that they are not fans can surely find something that suits their appetite.

When choosing your mushrooms, make sure they feel firm, aren’t moist to the touch, and are mold-free. They can be stored in a paper bag inside the fridge for about five days. Brush the dirt off and rinse them lightly when you’re ready to use them.

Private Home Care encourages you to enjoy nourishing your body with tasty mushrooms this September during National Mushroom Month!