Mushrooms Are Packed Full Of Goodness

During my weight loss, I must admit I ate a lot of mushrooms and why not, mushrooms are an ideal food - they contain almost no fat, sugar and salt but are a valuable source of dietary fibre. Mushrooms are a good source of the B vitamins - niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, foliate, vitamin B6, biotin and pantothenic acid.

• Niacin helps to control the release of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrate.
• Riboflavin is also essential for the breakdown of carbohydrate, fat and protein into energy. It is also needed for healthy skin and mucous membranes, especially those in the cornea.
• Thiamin controls the release of energy from carbohydrate, needed for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.
• Foliate is essential for the formation of red and white blood cells in bone marrow.
• B6 is essential for breaking down protein for use in building new body tissue.
• Biotin is necessary for the release of energy from fat.

Collectively, these B vitamins in mushrooms may help to relieve stress, depression and fatigue. Mushrooms are also one of the few dietary sources of Vitamin D - for strong healthy hair, skin and nails. Mushrooms are a good source of the minerals potassium, selenium, copper and phosphorus.

• They contain more potassium than most other vegetables and fruits. This mineral can have a positive effect in lowering blood pressure.
• Selenium has anti-oxidant properties, rendering harmful free radicals safe and is therefore implicated as an anti-cancer agent.
• Copper is a vital mineral required to make collagen. Lack of copper is linked with osteoporosis and heart disease.
• Phosphorus is the companion nutrient to calcium.

Mushrooms are a good source of easily absorbed, high quality vegetable protein, containing more than most other vegetables. They are adaptogens to the immune system, so their complex polysaccharides and other components have the capacity to regulate and equilibrate disordered immune function, as well as to act as an invigorating tonic for the immune system.

Add some mushrooms to your daily meals to ensure you do not miss out on all these great health benefits!

Source: Cohen's Lifestyle Clinic