Over the last twenty years, my eating habits have become more healthy by choice. After getting pregnant, my focus on delicious and healthy eating became even more important because I wanted to instill good, lifelong habits for my child. So my eyes and ears are always open for new ways to improve my diet and lifestyle.
What Is A Mushroom?
Maybe I should know exactly what a mushroom is since I am advocating eating them every day. According to Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact, there are approximately 14,000 types of mushroom. Other sources cite that there are over 38,000 varieties of mushrooms available with only about 3,000 that are edible.
A mushroom develops from a nodule that is less than two millimeters in diameter. It is a fungus that usually grows above the ground. Photosynthesis does not occur because they are not plants. The texture of a mushroom is best described as fleshy and springy when squeezed lightly. Mushrooms often have a stem, cap and pores under the cap which are all eaten on the non-poisonous varieties.
Why Should We Eat Mushrooms?
I know that the description of a mushroom doesn’t sound very appetizing, but maybe it won’t bother you after I tell you about the health benefits.
Research by Keith Martin and S. Brophy was published in November 2010 entitled, Experimental Biology and Medicine tested the effect mushrooms had on breast cancer cells. Their conclusion was that women who consume 10 grams of mushrooms daily are 64% less likely to develop breast cancer. That is approximately one mushroom a day of any variety!
Mushrooms have a very positive effect on our health. Listed below are a few things that have been discovered about mushrooms:
- reduces cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
- reduces insulin resistance which increases insulin sensitivity
- blocks the growth of cancer tumors
- boosts the immune system
- lowers toxic levels of estrogen hormone
- anti-inflammatory
- strong antioxidant properties
- low in sodium, calories and fat
Rather phenomenal isn’t it?
Just imagine the health benefits if you add lemons to the mushrooms while cooking them. Maybe I will postpone my regular recipe for Thursday and show you just how delicious mushrooms can be…
I love mushrooms and did not know they were so healthy. Thanks for the info on them. Great tidbit on the breast cancer too. Will have to share this one.
I love mushrooms – I do, I do.
I love mushrooms – I do, I do.
I did know mushrooms were healthy, and I have eaten them for many years now. They are also a low carb vegetable. So I pair them up with onions often, in omelets for breakfast and with meat for supper.
fungus, not a vegetable :/
LOL LOL Funny!
My mother does not like mushrooms and neither does my daughter. They would have an even worse word than “fungus” for them. LOL
I eat lots of mushrooms, and love them! I had no idea though about the nutritional benefits.
I love them fried with some oyster sauce on them, but that probably isn't very healthy.
I have always liked mushrooms. I try and add them to whatever I'm cooking, whether it be spaghetti sauce, steasks, porkchops or pizzas. I LIKE MUSHROOMS. I didn't know they were a "healthy food" though so this is great info. I will definitely look for more ways to incorporate mushrooms into what I cook. Are the canned ones healthy also, or do they lose their nutritional value by being canned? Thank you!
Love ya Bunches!
PJ
So I've been eating mushrooms all these years and had no idea of all the health benefits they have. I love visiting your blog!
I love mushrooms and eat them almost every day. My favorites are the Baby Portabella and the Shiitaki. I knew there were a lot a different mushroom types but I didn't realize there were that many.
I knew mushrooms were healthy, but I hardly ever eat them. I should find ways that I like them and start eating more.
Thank you ever so for you post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
I think this is a real great informative post. Thanks again! Cool.
You’re welcome!
Thanks, that’s wonderful, I am so looking for ideas for easy, healthy food!
You’re welcome! Glad I can help!