Mushrooms: Are They Good for You?
Some people love them. Some people hate them. Whatever your stance is, mushrooms are a noteworthy part of any dish. So, are they good for you?
If you look at the nutrition label on a box of mushrooms at the grocery store, you won’t see a ton of vitamins or minerals—but the fact is that these labels don’t tell the whole story. Because they’re fungi, mushrooms contain many nutrients plants don’t have.
There are many types of edible mushrooms, each with their own levels of nutrition. Some offer anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits—most notably Asian varieties. These four are especially nutritious:
- Shiitake – The most common Asian mushroom. These have anti-tumor properties and may boost your immune system and lower your cholesterol.
- Enoki – These mild-flavored mushrooms may protect against cancer.
- Maitake – These may fight cancer, boost your immune system, reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar.
- Oyster – Milder and less expensive than shiitake, oyster mushrooms may protect against cancer.
While they’re less nutritious than the Asian varieties, common white mushrooms offer some health benefits too. Portobello mushrooms pack more potassium than bananas with fewer calories. Criminis are high in vitamin B12—a nutrient that’s important for vegetarians since it’s commonly found in meat. White mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin D and vitamin B.
No matter what type you eat, all mushrooms are cholesterol-free and very low in fat. Be sure to cook any mushrooms thoroughly before eating as it’ll help your body absorb more of the nutrients and taste better. If you’re looking for other ways you can add nutrients to your plate and improve your diet, you can get nutritional counseling through telehealth services at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
