Shiitake mushrooms are known to make delicious meals but did you know that this staple of Asian cuisine also provides a variety of health benefits?
The third most widely distributed mushroom in the world, shiitakes are rich in vitamins and can be considered a great source of B-complex vitamins. B vitamins benefit your metabolism by helping your body convert food into energy as well as increasing the production of red blood cells, protecting you from developing anemia. Four raw shiitake mushrooms contain one-seventh of the riboflavin, one-fifth of the niacin and one-sixth of the vitamin B-6 needed on a daily basis. It’s important to know that cooked shiitake mushrooms have less of each of these vitamins, but dried shiitakes contain a little more riboflavin than raw mushrooms.
Additionally shiitake mushrooms provide minerals such as iron and selenium, protein, and dietary fiber. Perhaps the most interesting ingredient in shiitakes are its high amounts of antioxidants, particularly the potent L-ergothioneine. Studies have suggested that this compound has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Also known to boost the immune system, shiitake mushrooms contains a compound called lentinan that has been shown to strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight infection and disease. The American Cancer Society says that lentinan can actually reduce and slow the growth of cancer cells while increasing activity to combat tumors by activating certain cells and proteins that attack cancer.
Other mushrooms also provide a variety of health benefits and mushroom supplements have been popular choices to treat multiple health issues as well as enhance the immune system.
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