Mushroom

Mushrooms and your health•

~Most commercial mushroom varieties are actually the same mushroom at different stages of growth, and share common medicinal traits.others ,such as #shiitake,rei-ishi and world wood ear are super mushrooms with extra ordinary healing powers.

~ All types contain varying degrees of fibre ,proteins,B vitamins,and Vitamin D..They are known to have anti- inflammatory and anti bacterial effects .

~Shiitake contain lentinan,a substance which has anti- cancer properties and keeps the blood from getting sticky.

~Rei-ishi- a good general tonic with anti- allergic and antiviral properties.

~Wood(jelly) ear- helps control blood sugar and has # anti- cancer, anti- coagulant, and anti- cholesterol properties.

~ Antioxidants - all mushrooms are considered cleansing, and all except oyster and maitake contain ergothioneine,an amino acid that can help reduce inflammation. They also contain Germanium,which improves cellular oxygenation and enhances immunity.

~A prebiotic - Eaten raw,mushrooms contain higher levels of prebiotic oligosaccharides, such as chitin and beta- glucan,which feed friendly bacteria in the gut.Mushrooms are good source of Vitamin D .common white mushrooms are one of the few non- animal sources of vitamin D- essential to bone health, hormone balance, immune defence, and as a cancer preventive.

~Anti- cancer properties- shiitake contain lentinan,which has anti- cancer ,antiviral, antibacterial properties. It also boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells.

~How to get best from mushrooms ~

~Clean the Mushrooms; then cooking mushrooms increases their starch ,fibre,and fat content and frees more antioxidants including carotenoids and ferulic acid,but does destroy some of vitamin C content.

~Dried mushrooms have intense flavour,To reconstitute, soak in boiling water. Reserve the water, which will have leeched some nutrients out of fungi,to use as a broth or as stock for soups and stews.

~ As meat substitute. Mushrooms give a meaty texture when cooked that can help to make a meal more satisfying .