{"id":15551,"date":"2022-07-29T18:37:06","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T18:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.personanutrition.com\/blog\/?p=15551"},"modified":"2023-04-17T16:14:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T16:14:41","slug":"6-surprising-health-benefits-of-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.personanutrition.com\/blog\/6-surprising-health-benefits-of-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"6 surprising health benefits of mushrooms\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"There are lots of reasons to love mushrooms. They\u2019re great saut\u00e9ed in stir fry, cooked in risotto, stuffed with cheese or scattered on your favorite pizza. But these little fun guys offer benefits well beyond flavor. Many of the scrumptious species out there may also help your health. Here are just a few of the ways.1. Mushrooms are rich in vitamin DYou\u2019ve likely heard it before: Spend 10-30 minutes a day in the sun to get your dose of vitamin D, an important nutrient that plays a vital role in your bone health, immunity, cell growth, mood and more. What you might not know is that mushrooms work the same way!When they\u2019re out catching rays, they also produce vitamin D. This is because they contain ergosterol, a natural compound that converts to vitamin D21 when exposed to UV-B. Amazingly, this even works after they\u2019ve been picked; you can actually increase the vitamin D in your store-bought mushrooms by simply drying them in the sun\u2014an effect that can last for more than a year!Thanks to this mechanism, mushrooms are one of the richest non-animal sources of vitamin D you can get. A half-cup of raw mushrooms\u2014without added sunlight\u2014will bring about 46% of your recommended daily intake to the table.2. Mushrooms are packed with powerful antioxidantsWhen you think about high-antioxidant foods, you probably imagine colorful fruits and vegetables\u2014not white and brown fungi. But mushrooms are actually packed with antioxidants. The two they have the most of\u2014ergothioneine and glutathione\u2014do a great job offsetting damage caused by free radicals, natural substances that can harm your body when they start to build up in your cells.2 Varieties like porcini, shiitake, oyster or maitake have the highest amounts of these helpful compounds, but really you\u2019ll benefit from any mushroom you add to your meals.33. Mushrooms may help your immune systemAlong with their high antioxidant properties, mushrooms are rich in micronutrients like selenium, zinc and vitamin B6, natural compounds that play a vital role in strengthening your immunity. Some species\u2013including lion\u2019s mane, shiitake, reishi and cordyceps\u2014come with an added bonus: They contain a special fiber called beta-glucans that helps your body fight harmful bacteria and viruses.44. Mushrooms help your gutYour body is inhabited by trillions of bacteria known as your microbiota, most of which camp out in your gut starting at birth. Your good microbiota\u2014called probiotics\u2014do all kinds of beneficial things. They help you stay regular, break down food, make vitamins, keep your immune system healthy and even impact your mood. As you age, the choices you make around your diet, medications, environment and lifestyle can alter your microbiota\u2014sometimes in harmful ways. One way to counter these effects is with prebiotics, nutrients that feed your probiotics, the good guys in your gut. Mushrooms are a great source of prebiotics so pile them on your pizza to keep your gut in good order!5. Mushrooms may support heart healthAnother reason to celebrate mushrooms: they promote a healthy heart! Mushrooms are low in calories, cholesterol-free and contain almost no fat. They\u2019re also low in sodium but high in potassium, which helps with normal blood pressure and heart health. So next time you\u2019re cooking a stir fry or mushroom risotto, add an extra handful or two of these fungi. You\u2019re doing both your heart and your palate a favor!6. Mushrooms may help your brainFind you forget where you put your car keys these days? As you age, your brain ages too, so processing information and multitasking can be more of a challenge. Mushrooms may just be able to lend a hand. This is because they\u2019re rich in B vitamins that help your body produce neurotransmitters, chemicals that carry messages between your brain and body. For this reason, eating mushrooms at least twice a week can have a positive effect on your brain and nerve health.6 They\u2019re not just good for your body; they\u2019re also good for your mind.\u00a0About AgnesAgnes is an accredited nutritionist by SNDA (Singapore Nutrition &amp; Dietetics Association). Prior to Persona, she worked in community settings, providing training and managing events. She loves working with people and is passionate about changing people\u2019s lives through nutrition.Do you have questions on how you may benefit from supplements? Reach out to one of our experts, or take Persona\u2019s free nutrition assessment, and learn exactly what you need to take your wellness to the next level.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are lots of reasons to love mushrooms. They\u2019re great saut\u00e9ed in stir fry, cooked in risotto, stuffed with cheese or scattered on your favorite pizza. But these little fun guys offer benefits well beyond flavor. 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