How healthy are mushrooms?

Scientists have been studying the healing properties of medicinal mushrooms for decades and interest is unlikely to wane, especially considering the fact that new biologically active compounds are being discovered all the time.

Here are just some of the compounds that can be found in both edible and medicinal mushrooms:

Beta-glucans

Beta-glucan is a form of soluble dietary fiber that has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and heart health. They can also help to boost immunity and inhibit tumor growth.

Further to this, there is mounting evidence that suggests beta-glucans may play a beneficial role in insulin resistance, obesity, and hypertension.

Triterpenoids

Triterpenoids have been shown to possess multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer.

Triterpenoids have also been found to help protect the liver by suppressing inflammatory response and may also inhibit histamine release.

Ergosterol

Mushrooms also contain ergosterol which, in addition to being a precursor to vitamin D2, appears to be the primary compound responsible for the anticancer effects of medicinal mushrooms.

Preclinical evidence also suggests that ergosterol possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Statins

The mycelium of mushrooms, particularly the mycelium of cordyceps sinensis, is also a valuable source of lovastatin, which belongs to a group of compounds called statins. Statins are commonly used as cholesterol-lowering drugs as they block a substance that your liver needs to produce cholesterol.

Lovastatin can also be found (in slightly lower amounts) in the fruiting body of mushrooms, particularly oyster and button mushrooms, making them some of the best mushrooms to eat if you’re worried about your bad cholesterol levels.

Ergothioneine

Mushrooms are also the leading dietary source of ergothioneine (ERGO) amino acids, which have been shown to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Based on a mounting body of evidence, some researchers have even proposed that ERGO should be classified as a longevity vitamin due to its effectiveness in preventing and mitigating the risk of chronic diseases of aging.

Source: https://cannaversesolutions.com/blog/healthiest-mushrooms/