The Story and Benefits of Mushrooms

What Are Mushrooms?

Mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom. Although they are not vegetables, mushrooms provide several important nutrients.

From Mushrooms you can get enough vitamins and minerals. One of the great things about mushrooms is that they are in season all year long.

Mushrooms vary greatly in their colour, texture, shape, and properties. There are approximately 140,000 species of mushroom-forming fungi in the world, but science is only familiar with about 10%, while only 100 species or so is being studied for their potential health benefits and medicinal applications.

Health Benefits

Nutritionists advise to incorporate more mushrooms into our diet to reduce risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Eating Mushrooms improves immunity; lowers cholesterol, treats anemia, prevents against cancer and helps to control weight.

Improve Immunity

Selenium in Mushrooms improves immune response to infection, Mushrooms stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells and prevent tumors from forming.

Weight Management

Mushrooms contain two types of dietary fibers. They increase satiety and reduce appetite. By making you feel fuller longer, they can reduce overall calorie intake.

Lower Cholesterol

Mushrooms provide you with lean proteins since they have no cholesterol or fat and have very low carbohydrates. The fiber and certain enzymes in them also help to lower cholesterol levels, which is essential in the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases.

Treat Anemia

Mushrooms are a good source of iron especially for anemic patients who always feel fatigue, headaches, and suffer reduced neural function, and digestive issues. The iron in Mushroom promotes the formation of red blood cells and keeps people healthy and functioning at their full potential.

Prevent Cancer

Mushrooms are very effective in preventing breast and prostate cancer. Studies have shown the

anti-tumor properties of mushrooms when applied medicinally.

The best Way to Cook Mushrooms

A research by the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found out that when mushrooms are exposed to short cooking times they retain more of their vitamins and nutrients.

Microwaving or grilling mushrooms significantly increased their antioxidant activity.

Easy Creamy Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 kg sliced mixed mushrooms
• Salt and pepper
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 4 medium minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• For serving olive oil drops and fresh herbs

Method

– Melt butter and add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook, until mushrooms are well browned. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Add garlic and cook. Add flour and stir to combine.

– Add milk, chicken stock, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs and stir to combine and cook for 20 minutes.

– Remove bay leaves and thyme. Blend soup with a blender Season to taste with more salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

– Serve immediately, garnished with minced herbs and olive oil.