When you think about mushrooms, what comes to mind? Are they a delicious side dish to your juicy steak? A must have in your stir-fry? A fungus to avoid at all cost? Or an annoying species that sprouts in your garden, seemingly overnight?
Although everyone perceives them differently, mushrooms have become a huge topic of conversation lately because of their overall health benefits. Here’s some info on these tasty toadstools that might make you wan to add them to your diet..
What are mushrooms?
Scientifically speaking, mushrooms are edible fungi that thrive on the nutrients from dead or decaying plant and animal matter (sounds delicious, right? I promise you it gets better). Mushrooms have the ability to be hyper aware of their environment and to adapt accordingly.
Mushrooms as superfoods
There are thousands of species of mushroom forming fungi on the planet - with roughly only 100 being studied for potential health and medicinal benefit. Nutrient rich and beneficial for overall health and well-being, mushrooms are on the list of food thought of as ‘super-foods’.
And their reputation is steeped in history. The Ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms brought long life and the fungi is considered a staple in Eastern medicine.
Some of the health benefits studied today include:
Lowering cholesterol
Fighting cancer
Managing blood sugar levels
Enhancing immune system
Increasing antioxidant activity
Supporting brain health
Improving exercise performance
Enhance gut health
My Top 5 Mushrooms (friendly disclaimer: while I can’t guarantee you’ll enjoy the taste of these friendly fungi’s, the health benefits speak for themselves).
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Reishi - Reishi mushrooms have been shown to increase the activity of white blood cells which are used to fight infections and cancer in the body. Known for their cell regenerating and immune-boosting potential, these superfoods could go a long way to improving your overall health and wellness.
Chaga- (The king of mushrooms)- Chaga mushroom is an adaptogen which means it can help us cope with stress, stay healthy during the cold and flu season, fight cancer and lift us out of depression. It also contains anti-inflammatory agents that help relieve pain, purify the body and protect the liver. These are truly amazing mushrooms that have been used for centuries in Russia where they grow in abundance.
Lion’s Mane - Lion’s mane mushrooms are large white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane as they grown. Many people liken their flavour to that of seafood such as crab or lobster. Their bioactive substances are especially beneficial to stimulate the growth of brain cells, improving mental function, while their anti-inflammatory effects can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Other benefits include: reducing heart disease risk, protection of the digestive tract and managing symptoms of diabetes.
Turkey Tail - Being one of the most well known mushroom, turkey tail gets its name from its striking colours that resemble the tail of a turkey. These mushrooms are packed with antioxidants which reduce inflammation, leading to promotion of the health of your immune system and inhibition of the growth and spread of certain tumors.
Cordycepts - In China, this mushroom has been approved by the government as an effective method for maintaining heart health. It is also routinely used to help maintain kidney health by regulating blood sugar levels. As with most superfoods, boosting immunity appears to be a major side effect.
How to eat mushrooms
Mushrooms can be taken in a number of different ways, from brewed in a tea, dried, taken in capsules or as a powdered supplement. They are easily added to coffee or smoothies or used to spice up burgers, stews and gravies.
If you’re going to take a mushroom supplement, you want to look for a manufacturer that offers 100% organic mushroom extracts and supplements, produced, stored, and packed under strict guidelines to preserve their nutrient content and overall effectiveness.
Although mushrooms are powerful and very nutritious foods, if you are on medications like blood thinners or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before adding them to your diet.
What Next?
Common grocery store mushrooms like button, crimini, portobello, or oyster mushrooms have potent health-boosting properties. So if you can’t get your hands on the ones listed above grab your preferred fungi from the grocery store and consume them once a day for a great nutrient boost.
