Why is eating shiitake mushrooms good for health?

Shiitake mushrooms are native to the mountainous regions of Japan, Korea and China, often growing on fallen logs. This food is popular around the world thanks to its delicious taste and color from light brown to chocolate brown. Although low in calories, shiitake mushrooms are rich in fiber, B vitamins and some essential minerals.

15 g of dried shiitake mushrooms provides the following nutrients:

• Drop: 44
• Carbohydrate: 11 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Daily Value (DV):
  • Vitamin B2: 11%
  • Vitamin B3: 11%
  • Vitamin B6: 7%
  • Vitamin D: 6%
  • Vitamin B5: 33%
  • Copper: 39%
  • Selenium: 10%
  • Mangan: 9%
  • Zinc: 8%
  • Folate: 6%

Supports cardiovascular health

Shiitake mushrooms may promote heart health thanks to three compounds that help lower cholesterol:

• Eritadenine can inhibit an enzyme involved in cholesterol production.
• Sterols help prevent cholesterol absorption in the intestines.
• Beta glucan is a type of fiber that lowers cholesterol.

Enhance immunity

Eating shiitake mushrooms helps strengthen the immune system, possibly partly due to polysaccharides. This substance has the ability to reverse some age-related declines in immune function.

Cancer room

The polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms may also have anti-cancer effects. For example, lentinan polysaccharide activates the immune system, which inhibits the growth and spread of leukemia cells.

Antibacterial

Shiitake mushrooms have antibacterial and antiviral effects thanks to compounds such as lentinan, oxalic acid, centinamycins A and B, lenthionine, eritadenine. They help strengthen the immune system, inhibit many bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, oral pathogens), and support anti-virus support.

Helps strengthen bones

Vitamin D deficiency has the potential to lead to osteoporosis symptoms. The body needs vitamin D to build strong bones, but very few foods contain this important nutrient. The vitamin D content in mushrooms varies depending on how they are grown. When exposed to UV rays, they produce higher levels of this compound. However, it should be noted that shiitake mushrooms provide vitamin D2. This is a weaker form of vitamin D than vitamin D3, often found in fatty fish and some other animal foods.

Side effects

Most people can safely use shiitake mushrooms. In rare cases, skin rashes may occur from eating or coming into contact with raw shiitake mushrooms. This condition, called shiitake dermatitis, is thought to be caused by lentinan. Cooking shiitake mushrooms helps avoid this reaction but may reduce the health benefits from lentinan.

Some people also believe that the high purine content in mushrooms can cause symptoms in people with gout. However, experts say that eating mushrooms is linked to a reduced risk of gout.