The Magical Mushroom: 7 Key Nutritional and Medicinal Benefits

There are different types of mushroom. Some are very poisonous which can cause death when taken into the body. This has deterred many people from consuming mushroom. Edible mushrooms like oyster mushroom are beneficial to the health of people.

Mushrooms have been used as food from time immemorial and have been found to be highly nutritious.  They are rich in high-quality protein, minerals and vitamins such as folic acid but low-fat content. They contain various compounds some of which are anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-hyper and hypertensive. Its consumption improves the general immune system of the body to mention a few.

Nutritional values

1. Dry mushrooms on the average contain between 19-40% high-quality protein and all the essential amino acids required for good human health.
2. The fat content of mushroom is low (1 – 8% dry weight) and consists of unsaturated fatty acids, which are less hazardous to health than the saturated acids of animal fats.
3. They have little sugar and no starch at all, both considered as the fattening agents.  It is therefore an ideal food for diabetic and weight patients.

Medicinal properties

1. The common button mushroom lowers blood pressure.
2. It also alleviates indigestion.
3. Oil palm mushrooms promote body resistance against infections and accelerate the healing of wounds and reduce blood serum cholesterol.
4. Jew’s ear mushroom can help in the treatment of hypertension, weakness in childbirth, rheumatic pains, uterine bleeding and piles