Mushroom contains many essential vitamins and minerals and fiber. Therefore, the benefits of eating mushroom are also many. Mushrooms are fleshy and fungi. Mushroom is used not only as a food, but it is used for medicinal purposes too. Greeks, Chinese and Pharaohs valued mushroom in one way or another. Among the 14000 types of mushrooms available, around 3000 types have been found to be edible. About 700 types of mushrooms are medicinal and about 1400 types are said to be poisonous. People choose mushroom for its flavor and texture mainly. However, some people use it for health benefits.
It is astonishing to know the potential of mushroom. It contains many valuable substances in it. Mushroom contains folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc and fiber. In the above substances, folate provides vitamin B9, niacin provides vitamin B3, pantothenic acid provides vitamin B5, riboflavin provides vitamin B2 and thiamin provides vitamin B1.
Mushroom is very less in calories. It contains about 80 – 90% water. Mushroom is low in sodium, carbohydrates and fats. It has enormous fiber content. People striving hard for weight loss can easily take the help of mushroom for achieving their goal. Mushroom offers potassium abundantly. It is said that mushroom is richer than banana in potassium. Potassium can lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of strokes. Mushroom is a boon to people suffering from hypertension.
Mushroom is rich in copper too. Copper is a mineral which possesses cardio-protective properties. You can obtain about 20 – 40% of the daily needs of copper in a single serving of mushroom. It is believed that mushrooms are helpful in fighting against cancer. Mushroom is a very good source of selenium. Selenium, an antioxidant, works in conjunction with vitamin E to protect cells from the ill effects that free radicals can cause.
Among the several types of mushroom, white button mushroom is said to bring under control the activity of aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme involved in the production of estrogen. Mushroom also controls 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme involved in conversion of testosterone to DHT. It has been found that white button mushroom can diminish the risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer. It has also been observed that the extract of white button mushrooms help reducing proliferation of tumor and its size also.
One variety of mushrooms known as shiitake mushroom has Lentinan in it. Lentinan is a beta-glucan. It associates in stimulation of the immune system. Therefore, it is believed that this mushroom will be helpful in fighting against AIDS. However, this mushroom helps fighting out infection and it manifests anti-tumor activity too. Mushrooms help maintaining a healthy metabolism as they are rich in protein, vitamin B and fiber. Mushroom extract has been found to help stopping migraine headaches. It has also been observed to be beneficial for people having mental illnesses such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It is said that oyster mushrooms are helpful in improving the strength of veins and relaxing the tendons.