New Delhi, December 5 (IANS). Mushroom is rich in nutrients. While the vitamins and minerals present in it make the diet balanced, a recent report says that it also helps in fighting heart related diseases, cancer and dementia. According to new research, eating just five small mushrooms a day can have many benefits for the body.
According to researchers, this happens due to two main antioxidants – ergothioneine and glutathione. These substances play an important role in neutralizing harmful ‘free radicals’, which are the cause of many serious diseases.
“We found that mushrooms are a great source of these two antioxidants,” said Robert Beelman, director of Penn State’s Center for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health in the US.
14,000 types of mushrooms are found around the world, including portobello, enoki, porcini, chanterelle, stinkhorn, puffball, dung cannon, hair ice or Hydnellum pecci.
Some of these are poisonous and their names are equally terrible. Like Deadly Dapperling, Destroying Angels, Death Cap, Autumn Skullcap. Some psychedelic mushrooms are so strange that many countries have outlawed them.
However, there are many mushrooms that are rich in nutrients. According to the Coimbatore-based Mushroom Foundation of India, mushrooms are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins, low in calories and hence are recommended for heart and diabetic patients.
They are rich in proteins compared to grains, fruits and vegetables; The protein remains intact even after cooking. Researchers say that since mushrooms have low calories, high protein, high fiber content and high potassium: sodium ratio, they are ideal for diabetic and high blood pressure patients.
There are eight most popular mushrooms in India. Among these, button mushroom is the most popular. They look tiny and are the most popular mushroom variety grown and eaten around the world.
They are a good source of essential nutrients like vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin D), minerals (selenium, copper, potassium) and antioxidants.
Whereas oyster mushrooms are known for their velvety texture. One cup of raw, chopped oyster mushrooms has only 28 calories. It is low in fat, cholesterol and sodium and high in nutrients such as niacin, folic acid, vitamins C and B12 and the amino acid ergothioneine.
Other varieties found in India are shiitake mushroom, cordyceps mushroom, lion’s mane mushroom, reishi mushroom, turkey tail mushroom and chaga mushroom.
–IANS
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