What is the nutritional value of mushrooms?

  From puffballs to truffles, mushrooms can range from everyday fare to a costly delicacy. People can buy them fresh, canned, or dried.

    In 2015, each person in the United States consumed, on average, around 3 pounds of mushrooms, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.

  Beyond the diet, mushrooms feature in some types

  In the nutritional contents and possible health benefits of eating mushrooms. We also give some tips on preparing and serving them and describe the risks.

   Health benefits.  

       Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These can have various health benefits.

   For example, antioxidants are chemicals that help the body eliminate free radicals.

     Free radicals are toxic byproducts of metabolism and other bodily processes. They can accumulate in the body, and if too many collects, oxidative stress can result. This can harm the body’s cells and may lead to various health conditions.

   Among the antioxidant agents in mushrooms are:

• selenium
•  
• vitamin C
•  
• choline

    Cancer

    The antioxidant content in mushrooms may help to cure

  In   Source lung, prostate, breast, and other types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

     Some sources have suggested that selenium may help prevent cancer, but a Cochrane review, from 2017, found no evidence to confirm this.

     Mushrooms also contain a small amount of vitamin D. There is some evidence in the source that vitamin D supplementation may help prevent or treat some kinds of cancer, though according to a 2018 report, the effect may vary from person to person.

     Choline is another antioxidant in mushrooms. Some studies in the source have suggested that consuming choline can reduce the risk of some types of cancer, but at least one other in the Source has indicated that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

   It is worth noting that consuming a nutrient as a supplement is not the same as consuming it in the diet.

   What links are there between cancer and the diet? Find out here.

 Heart health    

   The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C in mushrooms may contribute to cardiovascular health.

      Potassium can help regulate blood pressure, and this may decrease the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The American Heart  Source (AHA) recommend reducing the intake of added salt in the diet and eating more foods that contain potassium.

    According to current guidelines Source, people should consume around 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium each day. Mushrooms appear on the AHA’s list of foods that provide potassium.

     A 2016 study Source concluded that people with a vitamin C deficiency were more likely to experience cardiovascular disease and suggested that consuming vitamin C may help prevent this illness. They did not find evidence that vitamin C supplements can reduce the risk of this type of disease.

  There is some evidence in the source that consuming a type of fiber called beta - glucose may lower blood cholesterol levels. Beta - glucose occur in the cell walls of many types of mushrooms.

    The stem of the shiitake mushrooms is a good source of beta - glucose 

   The Mediterranean diet includes a range of plant foods, such as mushrooms. Find out more.