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MUSHROOMS: A SUPERFOOD FOR ANY SEASON
By Click here for Taste of Home Cooking School website Published: 03/01/2010
MUSHROOMS: A SUPERFOOD FOR ANY SEASON
Emerging Research Indicates Nutrient-Rich Mushrooms Enhance Immune Function
Americans looking for powerful superfoods to add to their Spring plates should look no further than the mighty mushroom. A growing body of research is showing that mushrooms really are nature’s hidden treasure – packed with the antioxidants and essential nutrients linked to good health.
“The research adds up and mushrooms – which are low in calories but contain many nutrients – are nature’s secret superfood,” says Bart Minor, president of the Mushroom Council. “Although it’s critical to continue research on how eating mushrooms benefits our health, the preliminary research is encouraging and it’s time this secret got out.”
Antioxidants and Immunity
While the science on mushrooms and immunity continues to evolve, mushrooms offer a variety of nutrients associated with immunity such as vitamin D and antioxidants like selenium and ergotheioneine.
Selenium protects body cells from damage that might lead to heart disease, some cancers and other diseases of aging. Mushrooms are among the richest sources of selenium in the produce aisle, an important note for vegetarians, whose sources of selenium are limited. Ergothioneine, a naturally occurring antioxidant, also may help protect the body’s cells.
Recently, researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) found that mice that eat white button mushrooms may record an added benefit due to potentially enhancing or boosting immune function and preventing weight loss when exposed to disease-causing irritants.
The Vitamin D Download
Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable with natural vitamin D. Similar to the way that humans absorb sunlight and convert it to vitamin D, mushrooms contain a plant sterol—ergosterol—that converts to vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. The top three selling mushroom varieties (button, crimini and portabella) have vitamin D ranging from 1 to 97 percent of the Daily Value (400 IU) per raw 84 gram serving.
Interest in vitamin D, also called the “sunshine vitamin” has exploded in the past year, making D the new hot nutrient among consumers and health professionals alike.
• This year, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a committee on calcium and vitamin D to determine if the current intake recommendations should be increased for all Americans. The report is expected in 2010.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics doubled the amount of vitamin D it recommends for children and infants.
• An emerging body of science, including laboratory, animal and epidemiological studies, suggests that higher intakes of vitamin D may be protective against some cancers, including pancreatic, breast, colon and colorectal cancers.
• Scientists are also exploring links between low vitamin D status and increased risk for a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Cancer and Nutrition
City of Hope, a leading research institution for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, has three research teams dedicated to investigating the effects that mushrooms have on health and, specifically, on breast and prostate cancers. Scientists at City of Hope were some of the first to find a potential link between mushrooms and a decreased likelihood of tumor growth and development in cells and animals.
These scientists now plan to apply this research to human clinical trials to establish whether mushrooms act as aromatase inhibitors in women. It is far too early to conclusively say whether or not humans will experience decreased tumor growth as a result of eating mushrooms.
However, City of Hope and the Mushroom Council one day hope to be able to share credible science-based information that ties mushroom intake with decreased cancer risk, along with other important health benefits.
Nutrient-Rich Mushrooms
In addition to vitamin D and antioxidants, mushrooms provide other nutrients, including B vitamins: riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid (B5), which help produce hormones and play an important role in the nervous system.
Copper and potassium are two other minerals in mushrooms. Copper helps make red blood cells and helps keep bones and nerves healthy, while potassium aids in the maintenance of normal fluid and mineral balance, which helps control blood pressure.
For More Information
To learn more about the health benefits of mushrooms or for great tasting recipes, visit www.MushroomInfo.com.
The Mushroom Council is composed of fresh market producers or importers who average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The mushroom program is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990 and is administered by the Mushroom Council under the supervision of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Research and promotion programs help to expand, maintain and develop markets for individual agricultural commodities in the United States and abroad. These industry self-help programs are requested and funded by the industry groups that they serve. For more information on the Mushroom Council, visit mushroomcouncil.org.
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What more healthy cooking tips?
Come to Taste of Home Cooking School May 13, 2010 at the TRAC Center in Pasco for more great recipes, cooking tips and techniques and a fun evening to remember.
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Taste of Home Cooking School Mushroom CouncilMushrooms a superfood - Taste of Home Cooking School May 13, 2010
