5 Amazing Shiitake Mushroom Facts
Shiitake mushrooms are an amazing tasty treat indeed but did you know shiitake mushrooms also contain some amazing health benefits? At Kennett Mushroom we are one of the most respected exotic mushroom growers on the planet. Our clients and the customers of our clients have known about these amazing health benefits for years. Although the exotic mushrooms we grow are not “magical” the health benefits are! Without further adieu, let’s take a closer look at these 5 Amazing Shiitake Mushroom Facts.
1. Immune System Support & Protection
All exotic mushrooms, including our delicious Shiitake variety have the amazing power to boost immune system function. This means mushrooms actually help protection and support the vital components of your immune system. Exotic mushrooms provide crucial vitamins, minerals and enzymes that your body needs to survive and thrive. Many studies have sought to uncover these dynamic powers of mushrooms and scientists continue to study these amazing properties today. In fact, in 2015 a nutritional study evaluated 52 healthy males and females, aged 20-40 years old to see if shiitake mushrooms improved their immune systems. Over a period of 4 weeks these participants consumed 5-10 grams of shiitake mushrooms daily. The results were fascinating: participants showed a reduction in inflammation, improved gut immunity and suggested improved cell effector functionality as well!
2. Promotes Healthy Skin from Within
As will be discussed below, exotic mushrooms contain high levels of Vitamin D and many other amazing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and antibiotics. Inside 100 grams of delicious shiitake mushrooms contain about 5.7 milligrams of selenium (8% of your daily value). In fact, shiitake mushrooms are so high in selenium, Vitamins, A, D and E that they can be effectively taken as a natural acne treatment!
3. A Natural Source High in Vitamin D
Although Vitamin D in vegetables is considered rare, our fungi friends are chock full of it! Consuming shiitake mushrooms is a great way to absorb Vitamin D and the ancillary nutrients boost absorption into the human body rapidly at the cellular level. Consuming our mouth watering shiitake mushrooms not only helps to regulate and support your immune system but it also assists with the following: maintaining brain function as you get older, maintain healthy body weight, reduces the risk of arthritis and even helps in fighting off cancer!
4. Helps Prevent and Fight Cancer
Did you know exotic mushrooms contain compounds that help prevent and fight off cancer? Many scientific studies have been performed to this end with the same result being achieved: Exotic Mushrooms truly help prevent and fight off cancer cells. Shiitake mushrooms are high in lentinan which helps heal damaged chromosomes in your body. This truly makes mushrooms a source of potential natural cancer treatment. There is so much more to be discussed that we’ll have to dedicate an entire article to this subject. In the meantime feel free to research this for yourself, we promise you will be amazed!
5. Fights Obesity and Helps with Weight Loss
There are some pretty magical properties within mushrooms that help to combat weight gain and assist the body in fat reduction. There was a recent study conducted in 2011 (Journal of Obesity) that studied the effects of shiitake mushrooms on body fat index, energy efficiency and fat dispositions. The results were intriguing to say the least. When adding mushrooms to a high fat diet this resulted in a staggering 35% lower body weight gain than those who did not add mushrooms to their diet. This encourages a concerted effort to pursue the efficacy of shiitake mushrooms for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders and the growing rates of obesity.
We hope you enjoyed todays article on these 5 Amazing Shiitake Mushroom Facts. Come on back for more mushroom knowledge soon! We have delicious recipes and fun fungi facts for your tasting and learning enjoyment.
