Mushrooms

Love them or hate them I do believe mushrooms time has come! It would seem there is a rising tide of interest in this truly marvellous food of nature and if we delve a bit deeper we might all appreciate that this food is one to respect for its nourishment and healing properties.
We have moved on from the bland white button mushroom and our tastes are diversifying with more exotic varieties such as the oysters and shitake versions. But it is not only in fresh form that we are seeing now but carried through in soup mixes, specialty coffees and confectionary. Basically you will find it if you look. And look you should because it is so worth it!

Mushrooms have been hailed as a good protein source and are often a staple for the vegan diets. That is great if you like to eat them but if you aren’t keen there are other forms of powders and supplements that in very quantities can have significant effects so check them out!

Did you know they have many healing compounds also that are gaining much interest in the scientific experiments? Healing compounds have been isolated including:

Beta-Glucans: Good news for your gut microbiome to prime your immune system in good shape.

​Triterpenes: Great antioxidant properties also to keep your digestive health

Sterols: These are precursors to Vitamin D. If you leave mushrooms in the sunshine for a little while you can boost the Vitamin D levels naturally.

The medicinal benefits of some favourite varieties are worthy of note and I urge you to find out more about them now that we have these available to us to eat!

Lions Mane. A beautiful mushroom that looks like a pale soft rug. Tasting delicious it has cognitive enhancing effects. Improves mental clarity. Apparently it does this by helping the growth of the hippocampus in the brain.
Chaga: Packed with antioxidants it supports digestive health

Shitake: Improving heart health, it lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

Cordyceps: This mushroom helps the body use oxygen and is great for endurance and energy levels. A favourite with the athletes!

This is a scratch of the surface for you. Definitely worth the double take next time you are in The Urban Co-op.

​Anne Maher