Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Benefits of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have often been used for thousands of years both as food and for medicinal purposes. Some mushrooms however are not edible and should never be taken because of their poisonous properties. So before taking any type of Mushroom care must be taken to make sure that what type is the mushroom before eating it. They are normally classified as a vegetable or a herb, but Mushrooms are actually Fungi.
Most types of Mushrooms do contain about 80 – 90 percent of water, and usually very low in calories and hence they are also good for obese people. Content of Sodium in most varieties of Mushrooms is very little. Mushrooms are therefore ideal food for persons who are desirous in weight management program and have overweight and a good diet for hypertensive people. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium and Potassium helps lower elevated blood pressure and is usually associated to reduce the stroke risks. Some types of Mushrooms are very rich in potassium like potportabella mushroom has even more potassium than a banana. Most of Mushrooms types are also very rich in copper which is good for health of heart and other cardio related functions.
Mushrooms And Cancer
Mushrooms are a rich in other essential nutrients like riboflavin, and selenium. Selenium as most of the people know is an antioxidant that is necessary for immune function too and this Selenium in Mushrooms works with vitamin E to protect healthy cells in human beings from the damaging effects of free radicals. As mushrooms protect our bodies from the bad effects therefore it is believed that Mushrooms are good for people with Cancer or have more tendency of getting Cancer in any part of their life due to their genes or poor Environment condition. Many researches have been done to study the effect of Mushrooms on Cancer. Although the results are not so concrete and American Cancer Society do not recommend that you believe on these claims but still there have been many clinical trials which are in advanced stages are being conducted which shows that there is some truth and relationship between controlling or curing Cancer with Mushrooms. Some Mushrooms which are believed to be more beneficial are Shiitake Mushrooms and Maitake Mushrooms . There are more researches and various articles on the effects of Mushrooms on Cancer and one research concluded that Male health professionals who consumed twice the selenium reduced their risk of prostate cancer by more than 50 percent. There is another study which was conducted in Baltimore study on Aging and they concluded that men who have the lowest blood selenium levels were more likely to have Cancer especially of the prostate. Vitamin D along with Calcium is present in Mushrooms so Calcium in Mushrooms is highly absorb-able. Vitamin D itself is believed to a must include for anticancer diet because it is believed that people who live at higher altitudes where sunshine is less and thus Vitamin D is less have higher incidences of Cancer.
Also in some countries the Mushrooms have been approved as an alternate cancer therapy. It has also been find recently that white button mushrooms significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer, other cancers and prostate cancer significantly without having any adverse side effects. The reason for this is that extract from white button mushrooms decreased the proliferation effect in the cells of human beings and hence was helpful in decreasing size of the tumor. Some people who believe in herbs also believe that if you take 100 grams of mushrooms daily its equal to taking a full treatment of Chemotherapy. So there is still a lot of research going on the benefits of Maitake Mushrooms and the benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms. Shiitake Mushroom can be found easily in the Grocery stores however if you want to buy Maitake Mushroom to get benefits than you have to go to some herbal shop.
Mushrooms For Diabetes:
Being a very low energy and sugar diet, mushrooms can be an ideal diet for diabetics. Again they contain absolutely zero fats have no cholesterol which means that Mushrooms in diet is good for Obesity and heart conditions. Mushrooms are high in proteins which is good for muscles. They have multiple types of Vitamins and minerals and are high in fiber and water. Mushrooms have long been used for natural cures in ancient civilizations like they are used to treat many diseases and condition in China. Usually raw mushrooms are not consumed and their extracts are consumed to increase the potency and for producing desired effects. Most types of Mushrooms contain natural such enzymes which will have a healthy effect for people suffering with diabetes as they will help breaking down of sugar from the food and make food easier to digest. Mushrooms various kinds also contain certain compounds which will help not just diabetes but also working of glands which will help in proper formulation of insulin by pancreas. Pancreas is a large gland which produces insulin which helps metabolism of sugar and when the Mushroom will help your pancreas work in a better and efficient way your diabetes condition is bound to improve by the use of that particular type of Mushroom. People with Diabetics will also suffer from many other complications and conditions like they will catch more infections and they will also get problems related to circulation. The use of Mushrooms for diabetes will thus have an indirect effect on all the conditions that comes with diabetes. There are also natural antibiotics in the mushrooms which will help to kill the harmful bacteria while not causing any harm to the useful ones.
Mushrooms for Immune system:
Ergothioneine is a useful anti oxidant which is present in Mushroom and Mushrooms helps improve immunity in Human beings. This antioxidant is powerful for immune system and enhances the immune system and there fore consuming Mushrooms is healthy for Health. Because of its tremendous healing power and natural antibiotics presence in Mushrooms penicillin is also a sort of extract from Mushrooms which asserts that it Mushrooms are natural antibiotics and possesses great benefits for Health. Mushrooms are also helpful for ulcers and wounds and will help the wounds getting infections. So if a person gets infected very easily and have to take antibiotics then he must try to include Mushrooms in his regular diet as a remedy to infections.
Other Additional Health Benefits of Mushrooms:
Mushrooms are the only vegetable which contain vitamin-D in edible form. Mushrooms have plenty of calcium which is a requirement for healthy bones , skull and teeth . They also have iron in them which is good for maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels and thus prevent anemia and maintain overall health and well being of a person . They also have potassium good for hypertension and lowering of blood pressure. The selenium benefits have already mentioned In detail above. Usually The best source of selenium known is Brazil nuts and animal proteins so specially for vegetarians it is must to include Mushrooms in their diet so that they do not become deficient in Selenium.
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July 7th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
What type of mushrooms is good for breast cancer. Breast cancer is a very big threat so if you can suggest the type of mushroom which is best specially for breast cancer it would be appreciated. Also tell me is there any supplements available in market with different types of mushrooms mixed to increase the medicinal effects of mushrooms.
July 25th, 2012 at 2:15 am
Totally agreed to what have been mentioned in this article about the Mushrooms and the healthy effects they have in controlling and fighting various diseases. The biggest concern however remains that we do no find our drugs and nutritionists promoting the use of such a useful item to consume on a regular basis to fight back diseases. Much research have been done and much is needed however the thing which is badly needed is that we should highlight healthy eating so much that our kids and young one knows that they must be eating healthy other wise they can be a victim of any disease including Cancer, Cardiovascular etc