There has been a global shift in the way we consume food. Human beings are experimenting with food to discover for themselves the optimal diet. The emphasis is on ethical diets that are both compassionate to our fellow beings and ecologically sustainable in the long run.
Most people leave meat-based diet for plant-based diets because of climate change and animal cruelty concerns. Some people adopt plant-based diets for increased performance and health benefits. As a result, many ex-non-vegetarians look for alternatives to meat for its texture. Mushrooms are chewy and have a meaty texture. They are also a good source of protein, making them an ideal meat replacement.
However, Shiitake mushrooms are no ordinary mushrooms. These superfoods are in a league of their own. Following are a few reasons for you to include Shiitake mushrooms in your diet:
A Great Way to Beat Obesity
Chemical-free Shiitake mushrooms are the best food to turn to if you are planning to reduce weight. They are known to improve satiety, decrease food intake, delay nutrient absorption, and lower plasma lipid (fat) levels. The two soluble dietary fibers in them, Eritadenine and b-glucan, which are also found in barley, rye, and oats have hypolipidaemic (fat-reducing) properties.
A study was done to understand the effects of shiitake mushrooms on plasma lipid profiles, fat distribution, energy efficiency, and body fat index in 2011 and was published in the Journal of Obesity. For six weeks, rats were fed a high-fat diet. The dietary intervention had a considerable impact on body weight growth, according to the researchers. Rats fed a high-dose shiitake mushroom diet (which included adding the mushroom powder to a high-fat food) gained 35 percent less weight than rats on a low-dose or no-dose shiitake mushroom diet.
An Organic Way to Battle Cancer
According to studies, Shiitake mushrooms aid in the battle against cancer cells, and the lentinan in shiitakes aids in the healing of chromosome damage produced by anticancer treatments. This shows that shiitake mushrooms could be a cancer-fighting food.
The possible uses of an ethyl acetate fraction from shiitake mushrooms were explored in a 2006 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Two human breast cancer cell lines, one human nonmalignant breast epithelial cell line and two myeloma cell lines were used in the study.
The findings imply that the microchemical value of shiitake mushrooms can prevent tumor cell proliferation. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, was successfully triggered by the shiitake mushroom.
Incredible Anti-microbial effects
The antimicrobial benefits of shiitake mushrooms on gingivitis were investigated in a 2011 study at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute. Gingivitis is a preventable condition that involves inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of a microbial biofilm at the gingival border. The efficacy of shiitake mushrooms was compared to the active ingredient in the most popular gingivitis mouthwash, chlorhexidine.
After therapy, the total bacterial populations, as well as the numbers of eight important organisms in the oral community, were examined. Unlike chlorhexidine, which had a limited effect on all organisms, the data showed that shiitake mushroom extract reduced the numbers of some pathogenic organisms without harming the organisms associated with health.
Get Stronger Bones
The sole natural plant source of Vitamin D is mushrooms. Vitamin D enhanced mushrooms are required for the formation of strong bones, yet it is found in only a few foods. The amount of Vitamin D in mushrooms varies depending on how they are farmed. They produce more of this chemical when exposed to UV radiation.
Mice on a low-calcium, low-vitamin-D diet developed osteoporosis symptoms in one research. Those who were given calcium and UV-enhanced shiitake had increased bone density than those who were not.
Keep in mind, however, that shiitake mushrooms contain vitamin D2. When compared to vitamin D3, which is present in fatty fish and some other animal foods, this is a lesser form.
Bolsters Immunity
Fresh organic Shiitake mushrooms include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antiviral qualities that help the immune system function properly. The lentinan in shiitake mushrooms, for example, protects against several bacterial, viral, and parasite illnesses. The antibacterial capabilities of centinamycins have been demonstrated, while eritadenine has antiviral activities. The lignins found in the mushroom’s fruiting bodies also have antiviral and immunomodulatory properties.
A four-week study including 52 healthy volunteers aged 21 to 41 discovered that daily consumption of dried shiitake mushrooms boosted gut immunity. The mushrooms stimulated the production of two critical types of T-cells: yó-T and natural killer (NK) cells, according to blood tests. TNF-a, a cell-signaling protein linked to inflammation, and IL-4 levels also increased, according to the researchers.
You can buy fresh Shiitake mushrooms in Delhi from Woodberry, a fungi culture company with world class products and quality standards.