Thursday 9 March 2017

Magical Medicinal Properties of Shiitake Mushroom



Shiitake mushrooms are a fungi primarily known for their medicinal properties similar to reishi and maitake mushrooms. In fact they are widely referred to as ‘medicinal mushrooms’ owing to their prolonged traditional medical use, especially in oriental medicine traditions.Having no leaves, blossoms, roots or seed,shiitake mushrooms come in an exclusive category of fungus. They are widely known for their rich texture and smoky flavour, and are the second most widely grown edible mushrooms, that are easily available in the markets across the world.It is crucial to discriminate, nevertheless, amongst medicinal and extracts preparations made out of these mushrooms and their looks as complete foods in an everyday diet. Research done on Shiitakemushroom market states that this is the most widely distributed mushroom in the world, and has sustained a noticeable place in Asian cuisine for several centuries.Many people consume shiitake mushrooms cooked, raw or dried, and thereby making them an adaptable food which one can integrate into a broad range of meals. Of all these three ways, shiitake mushrooms offer maximum health benefits when eaten raw, however even dried shiitakes are enriched with minerals and vitamins. Cooking shiitake mushrooms completely rips off huge chunk of its nutrients. Shiitake mushrooms comprise of chemicals which assist in keeping the cholesterol levels low and also has little amounts of a specific chemical which appears to keep tumours from growing bigger. Besides, these mushrooms are also used for promoting healthy immune system, for the treatment of prostate cancer, and as an anti-aging agent.

Many people do not generally contemplate mushrooms as a part of their everyday meals for their nutritional content. Nevertheless, shiitake mushrooms are excellent source of B vitamins. They are abundant source of pantothenic acid which is a great vitamin B2 agent, and choline, folate and niacin, which are rich in vitamin B6. Moreover, these mushrooms are densely filled with minerals such as copper and selenium, also zinc and manganese.Dietary fibre and vitamin D2, both being beneficial in maintaining weight are present in these mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms give a broad range of exclusive phytonutrients. Therefore, to take maximum benefit of their flavour and the retention of their abundant nutrients, it is vital to never cook or if possible over cook them.

Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms

B-Complex Vitamins

Shiitake mushrooms provide B-complex vitamins which are beneficial to the body’s metabolism by aiding the body alter food into energy. These vitamins also assist in generating red blood cells, shielding the body from developing anaemia. It is said that approximately four raw shiitake mushrooms consist of one-fifth of niacin, one-seventh of riboflavin, and one-sixth of vitamin B6 which a body needs each day.

Protein, Calories and Fibre

When an individual is trying to lose weight or avoid gaining weight, shiitake mushrooms are quite advantageous if added in the everyday diet. Nutritionists say that one single serving of four raw shiitake mushrooms comprise of just 26 calories and less than one gram of fat. They also provide two grams of protein and two grams of dietary fibre which helps in keeping the stomach full.

Anti-tumour properties

As per researchers from Japan who published a study in Cancer science in 2011, shiitake mushrooms consist of anti-cancer properties. They gave shiitake extract to a melanoma inflicted mice and noticed that the tumours stopped from growing further. These mushrooms seem to restore melanoma-reactive ‘T’ cells.

Minerals


One serving of raw shiitake mushrooms renders one-twentieth of potassium and magnesium which one requires each day and ten percent of daily recommended intake of phosphorus.



No comments:

Post a Comment