Mushrooms: The Superfood You Have to Try
Photo by Jenn Kosar on Unsplash
Mushrooms are not just a popular pizza topping or delicious addition to a meal. They have been used as food and sometimes as medicine for centuries, especially in Asian cultures. They are exploding onto the health and beauty market for their proven benefits, from gut health to anti-aging.
Mushrooms are low in calories, fat and cholesterol-free. They have been used for thousands of years and are still going strong today, treating everything from inflammation to fatigue. Mushrooms contain some fiber and over a dozen minerals and vitamins, including potassium, magnesium, zinc and B-vitamins. Here’s why you should include mushrooms into your diet.
Gut Health & Inflammation
According to numerous studies, mushrooms act as prebiotics – food for the healthy bacteria in your gut – to stimulate the growth of gut bacteria, which contributes to a host of digestive benefits and overall wellness. A review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that mushrooms play an important role in regulating the immune system, increasing microbial diversity, stimulating local inflammatory response, and altering gut flora composition.
Skin Health & Anti-Aging
Research from Penn State has found that mushrooms have extremely high levels of two antioxidants that are known for their anti-aging and health-heightening qualities. Published in Food Chemistry, researchers analyzed the ergothioneine (ERGO) and glutathione (GSH) levels in 13 varieties of mushrooms and found that antioxidant levels found in them are higher than any other vegetable.
ERGO is an antioxidant amino acid that is produced by fungi. The human body does not make it, so it must be obtained by dietary sources. GSH has been referred to as the “Mother Antioxidant”, due to its ability to support the function of other antioxidants in the body.
Antioxidants, as many know, help your cells battle cell and tissue damage. If left alone, oxidative stress and free radicals (to name a few contributors) can cause your body to age faster than normal, as your cells become damaged. Antioxidants are your first line of defense.
Don’t Like Mushrooms?
If you find yourself having a hard time including mushrooms into your diet or simply do not like the taste, there are other options available!
Try a mixed fruit, mushroom, legume supplement that contains mushrooms and other ingredients you need throughout your day in order to support energy, respiratory health, immune system health, and healthy circulation.
Mushrooms are also, available in capsule form, for those who have a hard time including them into their diet. Look for a supplement that is made of a vegetarian capsule and contains more than 1 form of mushroom to reap all of the benefits of different types of mushrooms – cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, lion’s mane and more!
There are numerous studies which highlight the multiple benefits of mushrooms. How do you incorporate mushrooms into your diet?
