14 Health Benefits of Mushroom-a gift of nature

Mushroom-a gift of nature is rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals characteristics of ‘functional foods. Mushroom or the toadstools are what we know as ‘The True Fungi’ belong to the division ‘Eumycota’. The major groups that fungi fit in are Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. Mushrooms are spore-bearing gilled fruiting bodies with or without stems. Although there are many shapes and sizes of mushroom it is usually referred to ‘umbrella’ or ‘button’ shape.  The fleshy fruiting bodies are leathery with a unique ‘umami’ taste. Yes, it is not only the taste that makes it not a vegetable neither an animal based food. Many of us love it and take it regularly as we know mushroom is the powerhouse of nutrients. I call the mushroom-a gift of nature.

The species of Mushroom

There are more than 140,000 species of mushroom. However, 100 species have been found to have nutritive and medicinal values. Not all mushrooms are edible. So, one should be careful about taking unidentified and poisonous mushrooms.  It is because the wealth of nutrition and medicinal properties that mushroom has found its place in the list of the world’s healthiest food and undoubtedly nature’s gift.  Today we will just look at 6 major mushrooms that act as appetizers in our lovely side and main dishes.

Mushroom- a gift of nature with a powerhouse of nutrients

Mushroom contains the most vital nutrients needed for god health.  A 70 g serving provides a wealth of carbohydrate, protein, sugar and dietary fiber.   It has no starch, cholesterol or fat. The minerals include high levels of potassium and phosphorus and proportionate quantities of magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc and copper.  A series of vitamins including Vitamin D of 12.5 IU in 70 g makes it a balanced food. These along with folic acid at 11.2 micrograms per 70 g bestows mushroom with the ability to build immunity to a large number of non-communicable diseases.

Mushroom-a gift of nature and a protector of health

A 70-100 g mushroom a day is enough to drive away and protect a person from many sicknesses. The combination of nutrients, vitamins and minerals in makes it a strong antioxidant equivalent to vegetables like tomatoes, green vegetables, carrots, and chilies.  Although with fiber, mushroom protects one from cancer, diabetes, blood pressure not to mention of the numerous curative and preventive mechanism of a number of diseases mentioned in the diagram.

The beta-glucans and chitin content of the fibers in mushroom reduces intake of fatty food and controls obesity. Mushrooms also contain Choline at a range of 12.1 mg per 70 g helps in memory and wisdom, muscular strength and aids in sleeping. As it protects from inflammation, a mushroom is a one of the world’s healthiest food and wonderful gift of nature.