Mushrooms are a type of fungus that are typically found growing above-ground on soil or in its food source. There are many different types of mushrooms; some are edible, some are toxic, some have psychoactive properties, and some have medicinal properties.
Here is a roundup of 9 of the world’s best mushrooms that you can consume for their health benefits!
White Mushrooms
Categorized in this group of mushrooms are button mushrooms and Portobello mushrooms. White mushrooms contain a special carbohydrate that helps to regulate blood sugar levels, and because they contain high selenium levels, they are also used as a slimming aid for those on a calorie-controlled diet that also exercise on a regular basis, and for those being treated for prostate cancer.
Lingzhi Mushrooms
Sometimes known as reishi mushrooms, they have an appearance that makes them look like a large white and brown flower made of wood!
Lingzhi mushrooms contain significant levels of anti-tumor properties, and they also have anti-microbial properties, which is great for combating influenza and e.coli.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Image Credit (Vegan Feast Catering)
These delicious shiitake mushrooms contain something called lentinan, which is an anti-tumor compound that is also used for the treatment of HIV. They are very good when used to treat people fighting off infections, thanks in part to the vitamin D that they contain.
Maitake Mushrooms
Sheep’s Head, Ram’s Head, and Grifola Frondosa are just some of the names that refer to Japanese Maitake mushrooms. They can be found growing at the base of trees, and are native to North America and Japan.
Their claim to fame is that they stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients, as well as being able to regulate blood pressure, glucose and insulin levels, which is obviously good news for high blood pressure patients and diabetics respectively.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Image Credit (Charles de Mille-Isles)
With a fruity smell and a mildly peppery taste, chanterelle mushrooms are known to contain anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. They are also known to contain significant quantities of vitamin C, vitamin D, and potassium – something which is used in medicine to control blood pressure, and ensure strong and healthy kidneys.
Oyster Mushrooms
Known as Pleurotus Ostreatus (try to say that in a hurry!), oyster mushrooms are considered to be a medicinal type of mushroom as they contain statins such as lovastatin, which help to reduce cholesterol.
Oyster mushrooms are also extremely useful for children who are suffering from respiratory tract infections.
Porcini Mushrooms
The fruit bodies of porcini mushrooms have high anti-oxidant properties, due to the presence of various organic acids and alkaloids. They can be consumed as an anti-inflammatory.
Chaga Mushrooms
Image Credit (Charles de Mille-Isles)
Also known as Inonotus Obliquus, chaga mushrooms have the appearance of burnt charcoal due to the massive amounts of melanin (a natural pigment) that they contain.
Considered to be a parasitic fungus found on birch trees, chaga mushrooms have been used in Russian medicine since the 16th century. They are known for their anti-oxidant properties, can be used as an anti-inflammatory, and although clinical trials are yet to be conducted, they are said to be useful in the fight against cancer.
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