MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years both as food and for medicinal purposes. Mushrooms are the fruiting body and reproductive structure of a higher order fungus organism. Mushrooms are widely distributed throughout the world, and thousands of species have been identified.

Mushrooms have high nutritional value. They help keep a healthy body and get away with diseases. Edible mushrooms are indeed nutritious. They are a good source of B vitamins, especially riboflavin and niacin, and rank the highest among vegetables for protein content. Mushrooms are brimming with protein, B vitamins and minerals including selenium, potassium and copper. They're low in calories and may have antibacterial substances to help the body. Cooked fresh mushrooms offer the most nutritional benefit versus the canned version that may have more sodium. . Mushrooms have been gaining more importance as health food and a source of valuable medicines.

BENEFITS OF MUSHROOMS
Approximately 300 mushroom species have known medicinal properties, and another 1 800 species have been identified with potential medicinal properties. Several mushroom nutriceuticals have been shown to enhance resistance in the treatment of various cancers. Mushrooms may also helps in treating immunodeficiency diseases.

Mushrooms are rich in minerals, vitamin, dietary fiber as well as all the essential amino acids and are low in fat and calories. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. One serving of mushrooms also provides about 20 to 40 percent of the daily value of copper, a mineral that has cardioprotective properties. Mushrooms are a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that works with vitamin E to protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Health professionals recommend that daily intake of selenium cut the risk of prostate cancer by 65 percent. In a study on Aging, men with the lowest blood selenium levels were 4 to 5 times more likely to have prostate cancer compared to those with the highest selenium levels. Mushrooms extracts are used to increase disease resistance and to normalize body functions. Mushrooms also found to strengthen the immune system.

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