I am feeling Mushy for Mushies....
Mushrooms are so very nutrient rich. Among their many nutrients: B vitamins -- including pantothenic acid (B5), niacin (B3), and riboflavin (B2) -- plus copper and selenium. Mushrooms also have protein, fibre, potassium, vitamin D, calcium, and more. Not bad for a food that’s more than 90% water.
Other Health Benefits of Mushrooms.
Mushrooms may do a lot more for your health than fuel your body. They have antibacterial properties. They can help lower cholesterol. They’re good for your immune system. They may even help prevent or treat Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Potassium rich mushrooms.
When you think of foods that have a lot of potassium you may think of bananas or potatoes. But mushrooms are right up there in potassium content. Two-thirds of a cup of grilled, sliced Portabellas have as much potassium as a medium banana.
Anti Oxidants
I suppose you have heard that fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants well Mushrooms are the highest food source of two antioxidants: ergothioneine and glutathione. Try some Porcini mushrooms they are packed with these antioxidants, which may have anti-aging powers.
Watch Out for Deadly Fungi
There are about 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms. Most will just make you sick, but a few can kill you. The best way to avoid toxic varieties is to get your ‘shrooms from a trusted source instead of picking them in the wild. And if you do pick them yourself, be sure a mushroom expert gives you the OK. Say you eat a wild mushroom and then wonder if you made a big mistake. How can you know? Typical mushroom poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea within 4 hours. In most cases, if you drink plenty of water, you’ll recover just fine at home. But because some mushrooms can be so toxic, it’s best to call your doctor if you have signs of mushroom poisoning.
Mushrooms can substitute meat.
Ground beef is one of the least expensive ways to enjoy red meat. But if you add mushrooms to the mix, you’ll probably spend even less on your ground beef dishes (and boost the health factor, too). Research shows you could save 20% on taco night at home if you use a 50-50 blend of beef and mushrooms instead of all beef. Increase the mushroom-to-beef ratio and you could save even more. Bake portabellas at 350 for 15-20 minutes and sub them in for the beef next time burger night rolls around. You can also use them in place of sandwich meat.