Shiitake Mushroom Benefits
Mushrooms are generally very nutritious, as well as being very tasty. There are countless different edible varieties found growing naturally around the world, while many types are also farmed. The type of mushroom you are likely to find on your plate will depend largely on what part of the world you are in.
If you find yourself in East Asia, then shiitake mushrooms will be among the most commonly found variety on the menu, although they are available further afield as well. Just like other types of mushroom, they are packed full of nutrition and can provide us with a number of health benefits.
1. Fights Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders can be particularly nasty for the people who have them. They are a result of the immune system, which is supposed to protect us, attacking our bodies instead. They are very difficult to treat and people with such disorders will often find themselves in a lot of pain, and they can also be a risk to the patients life.
The good news for a lot of people is that shiitake mushrooms may be able to help. Studies have shown that compounds in the mushrooms can be effective at fighting against the causes of certain autoimmune disorders. It is important that the patient continues to use prescribed medication, but shiitake mushrooms can make for a helpful supplement.
2. Strengthens Immunity
You probably won’t even notice it, but our bodies are always in a battle against pathogens that can do us a lot of harm. The good news is that we are well protected with a defensive system that we have evolved for billions of years to help keep us safe. It is not perfect but, without it, we would be in a lot of trouble.
It is always a good idea to do what you can to help keep your immune system as strong as possible. There are various ways to do this and one of the most effective is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Shiitake mushrooms contain a compound known as lentinan, and this compound is known to be able to give the immune system a boost.
3. Young Looking
All over the world, huge sums of money are spent on lotions and other products that supposedly help to keep the skin looking young. These products often vary in effectiveness and some are so expensive that they are unaffordable to a lot of people. The good news is that more affordable alternatives are available.
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of kojic acid. This compound helps to keep the skin looking young and beautiful by helping to fade away scars and age spots. To use the mushroom in this way, look for extracts that are used by applying them topically on the skin.
4. Anti-Cancer
Despite our advances in technology, many types of cancer are still potentially fatal to us. Many types can be treated, if not cured, but the best method of all is to avoid getting cancer in the first place. Of course, there is no sure way to do this, but you can at least help to shift the odds in your favor to a degree.
Studies have shown that the lentinan compound found in shiitake mushrooms can be very effective in the fight against cancer. It is thought to be able to help prevent cancer from spreading from one part of the body to another and also slow the rate at which cancer cells grow.
5. Healthy Digestive System
The importance of a healthy digestive system, and its contribution to the immune system, is so often overlooked. A healthy population of gut bacteria will help to fight off disease and a healthy digestive system will also help ensure we get maximum nutrition from our food.
One of the best ways to ensure a healthy digestive system is to eat the right types of food. Shiitake mushrooms are a very good source of fiber, which is well known for its ability to help keep the digestive system healthy. For every 100 grams of the mushrooms that you eat, you will get approximately 10% of your recommended daily fiber intake.
6. Clear Skin
Many people are unfortunate enough to suffer from inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. These conditions will often manifest themselves in clearly visible parts of the body like the face, and they can cause people to feel very self-conscious about their appearance.
They can also be quite painful, and can even lead to depression in some cases. These conditions can be very difficult to treat, but shiitake mushrooms might be just what the patient needs. Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants that will help protect skin from damage, in addition to selenium and vitamin D, which are also helpful.
7. Helps with Diabetes
People with diabetes need to be careful about what they eat. If they are not careful then their sugar levels can rise beyond normal levels and this can be potentially dangerous for them. The good news is that there are still plenty of foods that diabetics are able to eat quite safely.
One of these foods is shiitake mushrooms. For starters, they have only very small amounts of sugar, helping to prevent surges of sugar levels in the blood. In addition, they contain plenty of fiber and this helps the patient to process food. In addition, the high fiber content will keep the patient feeling fuller for longer.
8. Cholesterol
It is very unhealthy to have high levels of bad (LDL) cholesterols in the blood. It can increase the chances of serious problems like blood clots in the blood vessels and these can cause life-threatening problems like heart attacks and strokes. Thus, it is a very good idea to try and eat a healthy, balanced diet to try and keep LDL cholesterol levels down.
Some foods, including shiitake mushrooms, may even be able to reduce cholesterol levels directly. A compound known as eritadenine in the mushrooms has been demonstrated to be an anti-cholesterol agent. This means that eating shiitake mushrooms can go a long way to keeping you in optimal health.
9. Weight Loss
It is very important to try and keep our weight down to within reasonable levels; it can be very unhealthy for us to grow too large. This can be very difficult for us to do, however, partly because the urge to eat is so difficult to resist when we are hungry.
The high fiber content in shiitake mushrooms will help to make us feel fuller for longer, and this helps us to eat less than we otherwise would. In addition, these mushrooms have a low-calorie count and are packed with other nutrients that help to keep us healthy. Add some to your meals and they could help you to start shedding those extra pounds.
10. Prevents Iron Deficiency
It is very important to be sure that you are getting enough iron in your diet. This is because, without enough iron, we would develop anemia, which would mean our bodies won’t be getting enough oxygen. It is not usually a problem because most people have all the iron they need in their diet, but some people will need to add some more.
If you do need to add more iron to your diet, then shiitake mushrooms could be just what you need because of their high iron content. This can be very helpful for a lot of people, although iron supplements might still be necessary for others.
