Goodness in Mushrooms

Nutritionally, mushrooms are low in calories, cholesterol-free and essentially fat and sodium-free. According to tests conducted by the scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, mushrooms are rich in dietary fiber (chitin) which have cholesterol-lowering benefits, while containing another essential nutrient (beta-glutan) which promotes healthy heart.

Separately documented in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database, a simple shitake mushroom contains 18 different types of amino acids, 10 kinds of vitamins, 10 types of minerals and many more nutrients.

Of the many minerals found in mushrooms, most notably present are potassium and phosphorus which our body require for healthy nervous system, muscle control, bone formation, and energy production. Mushrooms also contains a critical mineral called selenium - a powerful anti-oxidant that fights against free radicals responsible for the hardening of cholesterol and cancers.

Below are the benefits of some common mushrooms available from grocery stores:

1) Oyster mushroom may help improve high cholesterol - the mushroom is very rich in the antioxidant which provides anti-aging benefits and protects the body against cholesterol-related complications.

2) Shiitake mushroom may help in cancer prevention - in Japan, people from the shiitake farming regions are found to have the lowest rate of cancer. Shiitake mushroom is now used in medicines that treat stomach and colorectal cancers in Japan. However, shiitake is not suitable for people with gout or kidney stones because of high purines contents.

3) Maitake mushroom may benefit those who are diabetic - maitake provides proteins and complex carbohydrates which help to keep blood-sugar level stable. Popular in Japan as a health tonic simply for this reason, maitake is also believed to help women boost their immunity against breast cancer.

So which type of mushroom should you buy? Simple, either fresh or sun-dried mushrooms. Avoid canned mushrooms because they are devoid of minerals and contain preservatives.

Final tip:  To retain the freshness and the flavor, wrap the mushrooms in paper bags or paper towels and store them in the refrigerator (non-freezer).

(Courtesy of Cholesterol Diet Secrets)