Hey there, viewers! Mushrooms aren’t just a good topping on your pizza,
or a wonderful addition to your omelet. Eating mushrooms is healthy for you. So
much so that ancient Egyptians even called it “plant of immortality”.
In today’s video, we’re going to talk about 12 health benefits of eating mushrooms. They’re a
great source of micronutrients. But what else? Can they really help you sleep peacefully at night?
What’s the connection between mushrooms and your gut? Can they really help you fight depression?
We’ll be talking about all of these AND more… 1. Source of micronutrients
Mushrooms are not only tasty, they also come packed with important micronutrients.
Ones you’re probably missing from your diet. In one study, it was found that you can meet
your daily requirement of micronutrients by eating a serving of mushrooms every day. The best part
is you won’t have to worry about adding extra calories, or even sodium to your diet. Mushrooms
give you all the micronutrients your body needs. Do you monitor your micronutrients? How do you
get all your essential nutrients? Share your preferences with the Bestie community
in the comments below. 2. Improves gut health
It’s important to make sure you have good gut health. Without that, your overall health can
suffer. Mushrooms are a good food to help you with this. They come with a good amount of fiber.
But it’s not just the fiber that helps with your gut health. Research shows that mushrooms
also contain really powerful prebiotics. Prebiotics promote good bowel movements,
while also helping your overall health. Another advantage of mushrooms is that their
prebiotic properties can help people suffering with diabetes. Studies have shown that mushrooms,
especially shiitake, can help the gut bacteria in your body, and improve the production of insulin.
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3. Great for the immune system Mushrooms contain compounds that can help
activate your immune system on multiple levels. This way, your body will be able to fight off
attacks from harmful bacteria, along with many kinds of viruses. For instance, mushrooms have
beta-glucans which are bioactives that can work towards enhancing your immune system.
These beta-glucans come with other advantages. They can help control your blood sugar levels
and bring down your risk of diabetes. The soluble dietary fiber that comes in mushrooms is the most
effective, along with what you get from oysters. 4. Packed with vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the more important nutrients you need in your diet. The
problem is that most people aren’t getting it from their food. We seem to think that a few
hours in the sun is enough. While sunlight does provide the best source of vitamin D, mushrooms
are also a great way to get this nutrient. Not everyone has the time to go outside every day.
In one study, it was seen that more than 40% of adults in the U.S. suffer from
a deficiency of vitamin D. Research shows that mushrooms can provide anywhere between
50 to 100% of your body’s daily vitamin D. The reason this vitamin is very important is
because a deficiency can cause you to get tired. You might end up feeling tired all day, even if
you’ve eaten all your meals. Along with that, your bone health may also be affected. On top of that,
your immune system also will not work as well. If you want to make sure you’re getting the
Vitamin D your body needs, you should check for the label “UVB” when you buy the mushrooms.
These particular mushrooms will be out in the open during their growth, and will have
exposure to sunlight. This is different from other mushrooms that are grown in the dark.
Because of their exposure to sunlight, the mushrooms labeled UVB already have vitamin D, as
they would have converted the compound ergosterol (err-guss-turr-all). As a result, eating just
3 ounces of these mushrooms will give you the right amount of vitamin D you need for the day.
5. Helps deal with inflammation If you want to avoid inflammation,
eating mushrooms on a regular basis can help. Mushrooms are packed with anti-inflammatory
properties. They also have a compound called selenium, which has antioxidant
properties that can help fight inflammation. Additionally, the beta-glucans present in
mushrooms are also helpful in fighting inflammation.
Oyster mushrooms have the most beta-glucans compared to other varieties of mushrooms.
6. Reduces chances of depression
Mental health is a huge topic of discussion these days, and rightly so. While no one food can cure
mental health issues, there are some foods you can add to your diet that can certainly be of help.
Mushrooms are one of those foods that can help reduce the risk of depression.
Research has shown that people who eat mushrooms as part of their diet have a much smaller chance
of developing depression. It’s connected to the many bioactive compounds found in mushrooms.
Also, mushrooms are high in vitamin B12 and antioxidants, which help to
reduce your chances of suffering even more. Before we move ahead, here’s another video you
might like. Watch and learn more about the natural ways to boost your immune system. Now back to our
discussion on the benefits of eating mushrooms… 7. Reduces signs of aging
Another advantage of eating mushrooms on a regular basis is that you will stay looking younger for a
longer period of time. Of course, they won’t stop you from aging, but the antioxidants in
mushrooms will help protect your body from stress factors that lead to your body deteriorating.
Research has shown that the antioxidants responsible for this effect are
ergothioneine (err-go-thigh-uh-ninn) and glutathione (glue-tuh-thigh-own), which are both
found in mushrooms. If you want to look younger, adding mushrooms to your diet is the best way.
8. Helps improve memory and protect your brain While visible signs of aging are one aspect,
mental cognitive decline is another way you’re affected with age.
But you can stop the process of decline by including mushrooms in your regular diet.
In one study, it was seen that eating just three-fourths of a cup of mushrooms
two times a week can bring down the chances of cognitive decline. If you want to make
sure it doesn’t happen to you, your best shot is to add mushrooms to your meals.
Additionally, the antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione can help protect your brain
from diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. If you want to give yourself a good chance of
avoiding these diseases, it’s recommended you eat at least five button mushrooms on a daily basis.
9. Can protect heart health Most people use salt to add flavor
to their recipes. But too much salt can, however, be bad for your heart health and blood pressure.
Instead, using mushrooms as part of your recipe can be more flavorful and helpful.
Mushrooms have compounds that provide great taste without hurting your heart.
In fact, if you use an entire cup of mushrooms, you’re still only adding 5 milligrams of sodium.
Also, if you want to stay off red meat for the sake of your health, mushrooms
can be a great substitute for eliminating cholesterol and fat, while at the same time,
being a satisfying food to eat. 10. Helps you sleep
Do you find it difficult to sleep? Do you go to bed with your head spinning from all
your day to day stress? Do you wake up in the middle of night and experience anxiety?
Mushrooms, especially reishi mushrooms, help your body adapt to all of the stresses in your day.
It’s a calming mushroom that can help quiet your mind at night, so you can get the sleep you need.
Mushrooms help your body cope with life’s stress, and allow you to adapt to unexpected problems.
11. Helps with weight loss Looking to shed extra pounds?
You should sneak mushrooms into your diet. You don’t normally think of mushrooms as a source of
fiber, but they are! They contain two very special types of dietary fiber, beta-glucans and chitin,
which can increase satiety and reduce your appetite, helping you lose weight.
They’re also chock full of B vitamins that help your body turn
food into fuel and metabolize protein and fat. 12. Helps lower your blood cholesterol levels
Would you like to keep your blood cholesterol levels in check? Eat shiitake mushrooms then!
Shiitake mushrooms, which are found in most grocery stores,
add a smoky flavor to your stir fries and stews.
Research has found that they contain a cholesterol-lowering compound,
which helps the body reabsorb any extra cholesterol you may produce.
Mushrooms are great for your health, but so are other fruits and veggies.
You’ll be surprised to know that some of the most nutritious foods should never be eaten raw.
You need to know the right way to cook them. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting their precious
nutrients. Here’s what you need to know… Check out 8 Foods You Should NEVER Eat Raw!
You should also watch 12 Ways You're Cooking Your Vegetables
Wrong Which Reduce Their Health Benefits. Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both,
and learn more about nutrition and health. Do you already eat a lot of mushrooms? Are
you planning on eating them more after watching this video? Let us know in the comments below!