From National Geographic's reports on the use of mushroom enzymes as a super effective and environmentally safe detergent to Whole Foods...
But is it any wonder? Linked to increased immunity and assistance with weight management, mushrooms deserve every inch of their moniker as a superfood.
In this post, we show you five smart ways to start reaping its potential benefits.
1. Instead of burgers, grilled portobello mushrooms
Few things smell as much of summer as the smell of barbecued burgers, but replacing processed meat with portobello mushrooms is a beneficial option for both our health and our figure.
Why? Portobello mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium, a vital but easy-to-lose nutrient that naturally supports heart health and optimal thyroid function.
Additionally, portobello mushrooms supply one-third of our daily need for copper, another essential nutrient, which organically supports bone health, nerve health, and increased iron absorption.
For a delicious grilled portobello mushroom burger, you need to clean the caps and remove the stems. Marinate the mushrooms with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, and cook on the grill for approximately 10 minutes.
You can serve it on a slice of focaccia with arugula, dried tomatoes, red onion, and a little goat cheese.
A nutritional bonus: The International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (USA) found that roasting mushrooms are one of the best methods of maintaining their nutritional value.
You may also be interested in Lion's Mane Mushroom
2. Mushrooms for skin care
A decade ago it was unthinkable (for some even disgusting) to use products such as caviar or snail slime for facial care.
But with leading brands touting ingredients ranging from bee venom to Greek yogurt, it seemed only a matter of time before others discovered the potential benefits of mushrooms for the brain, body, and skin.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 7,000 years, mushrooms have long been equated with immortality. And with The Independent's reports of benefits including the power to "reduce visible redness, soothe sensitivity and irritation" and leave skin "looking refreshed and feeling strong and hydrated", is it surprising? While a number of new products feature mushrooms, look for those that specifically include shiitake, snow, or songyi; all have the potential to promote elasticity, a more even skin tone, and smoothness.
3. Prepare a cup of reishi tea
In traditional Chinese medicine, Shen Nung Ben Cao Jing lists reishi mushrooms as a "superior tonic." Highly regarded and used by Chinese and Taoist royalty, reishi mushrooms were believed to support general well-being and ward off the signs of aging.
Modern research has focused on the pharmaceutical and nutritional benefits of reishi, with the National Institutes of Health affirming its potential to naturally support liver health and detailing its remarkable inclusion of minerals (including phosphorous, silica, sulfur, potassium, calcium, and magnesium).
Available as a powder and a supplement, reishi mushrooms can also be experimented with and enjoyed in a cup of reishi tea. Do you prefer smoothies? Try adding a tablespoon of reishi mushroom powder to your next vegetable smoothie. You will get a mixture of amino acids and polysaccharides that can promote precisely what the ancient Chinese claimed: longevity and well-being.
4. Add them to your favorite recipes
With only 20 calories per serving and enriched with vitamin B, mushrooms are an inexhaustible source of nutrients, as well as great allies for our figure.
Sometimes it can be a challenge to get the little ones in the house to eat mushrooms. Luckily, their mild flavor allows them to be easily added to many of our common dishes.
Mushrooms can be the perfect companion to, for example, a quinoa dish. You can also include chopped marsala mushrooms on your family's favorite pizza; mix shiitake, portobello, or oyster mushrooms into the sauce on spaghetti, omelets, and crepes; use enoki mushrooms as a base in salads. Or join one of the biggest trends of the year over a cup of mushroom coffee. (Yes, it exists).
5. Add them to the water
Drinking adequate amounts of water is essential for overall health. But even the most virtuous among us will admit that opting for water all the time, or at least 98% of the time, can get a bit monotonous.
While citrus and cucumber slices always add sparkle to a glass of H2O, now you can reap the benefits of mushrooms in nutrient-enriched water (don't worry, they don't taste unpleasant).
Organic fermented medicinal mushroom drink mix such as cordyceps, reishi, Agaricus blazei, shitake, maitake, and turkey tails, naturally supports our immune health, healthy digestion, and optimal vitality.
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