The nutritional value and health benefits of mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used for cooking for a long time In fact, prehistoric records mention that people often pick wild mushrooms In ancient Rome, this kind of fungus vegetable was considered as a god-given food, and the Chinese believed that mushrooms could provide power Although these historical cultures do not have a deep understanding of the nutritional value of mushrooms, there are many articles and books about the health benefits of mushrooms Like most plants, mushrooms contain polysaccharides, which have antioxidant properties Many studies have also determined that consumption of mushrooms can prevent cancer This is due to the aromatase inhibitor it contains, an enzyme associated with hyperestrogen Mushrooms also contain other antioxidants, such as l-ergotheriene In fact, mushrooms contain more of this factor than any other dietary source, including the liver and wheat germ, and do not run out during cooking According to the American Journal of Department of neurosurgery and psychiatry, the health benefits of mushrooms may also include the prevention of Alzheimer's disease This conclusion is based on the fact that niacin rich foods, such as mushrooms, show about 70% of the ability to delay and prevent Alzheimer's and other cognitive diseases In addition, niacin blocks the activity of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with raising cholesterol and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and osteoarthritis The nutritional value of mushroom also includes rich nutrients and minerals In fact, they are an excellent source of iron, selenium, potassium, phosphorus, pantothenic acid, copper, zinc and riboflavin In addition to providing antioxidant effects, these nutrients also play an important role in strengthening the immune system and preventing disease For example, zinc is necessary in different enzyme processes that affect metabolic function, including cell division and repair Studies have shown that adequate zinc is needed for wound healing and blood sugar stabilization, an amount equivalent to 142 grams of mushrooms per day Most of the researches on the health benefits of mushrooms mainly focus on the varieties of shiitake mushroom, Grifola frondosa and Ganoderma lucidum However, recent studies have found that common white mushrooms also have the potential benefits of preventing cancer, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol The nutritional value of mushrooms is easy to understand, but it should be noted that this vegetable may cause harm to specific people People without botanical knowledge should not pick wild mushrooms for food, because they may be poisonous In addition, mushrooms contain purine, which is the early form of uric acid Excessive intake of this organic compound is harmful Therefore, patients with gout history, kidney stones, or other disorders related to the conversion of uric acid should limit or avoid consumption of purine containing foods (including mushrooms).