Oyster Mushroom Benefits
Oyster mushrooms, so called for their oyster shape, are a type of mushroom originally cultivated in Germany. They are found growing wildly in many temperate regions while they are also farmed commercially. A similar looking mushroom can be found in Japan and Australia, but this should be avoided because it is toxic.
Oyster mushrooms are popular for their flavor but that is not all they have to offer. They are also packed full of nutrition and they are a good source of various elements that help to keep us fit and well. Here’s a closer look at how oyster mushrooms can be beneficial for your health.
1. Cholesterol
Cholesterol is one of the buzz words that is nearly always used when talking about healthy diets. Cholesterol is a type of fat and the bad (LDL) cholesterol can be extremely damaging to your health. It is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks that result from blood vessels in the body becoming blocked. Studies have shown that oyster mushrooms may be able to help reduce the levels in LDL cholesterol in the body. Tests on rats have suggested that this is the case, but more research needs to be done in order to get more conclusive results.
2. Nutrition
One of the first things you should look for when it comes to any food is how much nutrition it contains. Too many foods nowadays are poor in nutritional value and not at all good for you overall. The same, however, cannot be said for oyster mushrooms because they are just brimming with important nutrients.
Oyster mushrooms are packed with vitamins including B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D. They also contain minerals such as iron, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. This makes them a great supplement to any healthy living diet. Plus, of course, oyster mushrooms are simply delicious.
3. Healthy Brain
Having a healthy brain will help to keep you happy, healthy, and witty. It is true, unfortunately, that many peoples cognitive abilities will begin to decline as they get older. We don’t know yet how to prevent this from happening, but we do know that eating certain types of food can help to keep the brain as healthy as possible.
Oyster mushrooms are a good source of niacin, which is believed to be able to maintain good brain health. They are also a good source of riboflavin, which is thought to be able to protect the brain against certain motor neuron disorders.
4. Weight Loss
Have you tried losing weight in the past? It is not usually an easy thing to do and even people who have been successful will be able to tell you that it is hard work and takes a lot of determination. One of the most important things is to eat the right kind of foods, and oyster mushrooms can be included in a healthy weight loss diet.
Oyster mushrooms are low in calories, which provides an obvious benefit for people who are trying to lose weight. In addition, they are nutritious, which is important in order to help maintain the patients health as they lose weight. Plus, they are also very high in fiber and this will cause us to feel fuller for longer.
5. Anti-Cancer
It doesn’t matter how healthy you might be, nobody is completely safe from cancer. Having said that, some people do increase their risk of cancer by choosing certain lifestyles. For example, keeping healthy and including certain foods in your diet will help to reduce your risk. Studies on rats have suggested that compounds found in oyster mushrooms might be able to fight directly against cancer.
Results show that extracts from the mushroom might be able to help slow the spread of colon cancer and breast cancer. More research needs to be done, but the results so far look reasonably promising.
6. Antioxidants
Free radicals are atoms that are able to cause changes to the cells in our body, effectively damaging them. Although this damage may be on the cellular level, it will amount to something more significant when there are many free radicals in the body. Free radicals are found in many of the foods that we eat.
Antioxidants are compounds that help to protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals. This offers a number of health benefits, including protection against cancer and slowing the ageing process. Oyster mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants, meaning they can help to protect you against oxidative stress.
7. Anti-Inflammation
Inflamed bodily tissues can cause all sorts of problems for the people they affect. Some conditions like arthritis can be very painful, and even leave the patient unable to move in some cases. There are also inflammatory problems that can affect vital organs including the liver and kidneys, and these can be dangerous for people.
Some people are given medication to help reduce inflammation. While these can be useful, it is also a good idea to do whatever else you can to help. This includes adding certain types of food to your diet, and studies have shown that oyster mushrooms can be effective at reducing inflammation.
8. Immunity Boost
We owe a great deal to our immune systems. We don’t notice they are there a lot of the time, but we would soon notice if they were no longer there. They help to keep us safe from the many dangers that threaten our health, so everybody should do what they can to keep their immune system in the best condition possible.
In order to keep your immune system strong, you should do what you can to look after your body. This means plenty of exercise, eating well, and generally just looking after yourself. Foods like oyster mushrooms contain nutrients and certain compounds that will help to strengthen your immune system.
9. Antibacterial
Bacteria are the most successful living things on the planet. They are everywhere, including in extreme environments where other life forms cannot exist. They are also in your homes, including in your living rooms, your bathrooms, and even in your kitchens where you prepare food. It is important to be careful to help prevent bacterial infections from developing.
In order to help prevent bacterial infections, you can try eating more oyster mushrooms. This is because they contain a compound known as benzaldehyde and this is known to have antibacterial properties. Don’t forget that good hygiene is the most effective way to help ensure bacteria cannot proliferate.
10. Healthy Heart
A healthy heart is essential for a full and happy life. A healthy heart will allow us to be active and take part in many of the pleasures that life offers us. It will also help to offer a longer life in addition to a happier life. As such, it makes a lot of sense to take care of our hearts, and taking care of yourself in general is the best way to achieve that.
This includes eating the right types of food, and oyster mushrooms can help in that regard. Oyster mushrooms contain a compound known as lovastatin that is able to directly reduce cholesterol levels.
