Secrets For Health Benefits of Mushrooms

If you're trying to eat healthy, there may be a simple but powerful food you're ignoring. They're not brightly colored or particularly impressive in appearance but they do pack a powerful nutritional punch. What is this mysterious food? The mushroom, of course! What exactly are the health benefits of mushrooms?



  A study published in the journal Cancer Research showed that the common button mushroom inhibits the action of an enzyme known as aromatase which plays a role in estrogen metabolism. By inhibiting aromatase, button mushrooms help to naturally lower estrogen levels. Because high estrogen levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, it's believed that the anti-aromatase activity of mushrooms offers a certain degree of protection against breast cancer. A study carried out in China, showed that women who ate the most mushrooms had lower risks of breast cancer and the risk reduction was even greater when mushrooms were combined with green tea.

  Niacin has a number of fantastic health benefits, and a serving contains at least ?? of the daily requirements of niacin. Many of the enzymatic functions of the body rely on niacin. This includes the production of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Niacin also helps keep the nervous system functioning properly as well as many other working components of the body. Mushrooms, which contain niacin, also help the body produce energy from blood sugar, and they help give the skin a healthy texture and brilliant glow.

  We hear a lot about the health benefits of antioxidants and the damaging affects of free radicals, but in most cases, the ads that provide the information are pushing the sale of multivitamins. You don't need expensive multivitamins in order to reap the health benefits of antioxidants. Mushrooms contain selenium, and along with vitamin E, selenium protects the cells of the body from free radicals. I don't know about you, but I'd rather eat delicious mushrooms and other natural foods than take expensive multivitamins. Natural foods have greater health benefits than processed vitamin and mineral supplements.

  Potassium is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent strokes, and it reduces blood pressure. Most people think of bananas when they want to add potassium to their diet, but unbeknownst to many, mushrooms have a high potassium content. An average-size portabella mushroom has as much potassium as a serving of orange juice or a banana. This is great news for those who want to gain the health benefits of potassium but want to add greater variety to their diets.

  A study published in the journal Cancer Research showed that the common button mushroom inhibits the action of an enzyme known as aromatase which plays a role in estrogen metabolism. By inhibiting aromatase, button mushrooms help to naturally lower estrogen levels. Because high estrogen levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, it's believed that the anti-aromatase activity of mushrooms offers a certain degree of protection against breast cancer. A study carried out in China, showed that women who ate the most mushrooms had lower risks of breast cancer and the risk reduction was even greater when mushrooms were combined with green tea.

  Many of the foods provided by nature contain cancer fighting ingredients, and mushrooms are no exception. According to recent studies, consuming just 3 ?? ounces of the white button variety each day, can decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer and breast cancer. Shitake mushrooms are also said to inhibit tumor growth.