It’s evident that many who are moving to a vegan or more plant-based diet struggle with missing the flavour and texture of meat. Are there any healthy and affordable alternatives, especially for that summer holiday barbecue or when your friends are broiling steak?
Nature has provided an answer that not only fills the bill as far as taste, but it is also much more nutritious. The answer is Mushrooms. Mushrooms are gluten-free, cholesterol-free and a good source of fibre. They are fat-free and low on Calories. They have an excellent source of B vitamins and a virtually the only source of natural vitamin D in the grocery store section. In addition, they supply quality protein, essential enzymes and organic minerals like copper, zinc and potassium.
Mushrooms are one of the best sources of the mineral selenium and agro theanine, which are potent antioxidants. However, that can sometimes be difficult to find for those around a purely plant-based diet.
Following are the benefits of Mushrooms:
- Mushrooms help to protect you because they are antibacterial and antiviral. Some of them have a tonic effect fortifying your immune system with even reported improvement in specific cancers.
- They are helpful in weight management in that they’re very filling and nutritious, yet they are stingy on calories. Mushrooms are healthy for the heart because they improve blood flow and help to lower down cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition, it reduces platelet clumping and fights plaque buildup in the arteries. These same characteristics help minimize stroke damage.
- The strong inflammatory qualities help protect your kidneys and liver. It mitigates the pain of arthritis, and even it brings relief to those who have asthma. Mushrooms are closely related in DNA to we humans than they are to plants and hydrate the skin. They have an acid that helps to plump up and firm your skin. As a result, it reduces age-related wrinkles and fine lines.
- They contain a polysaccharide that is equally beneficial in hydrating and providing a plumping effect to your skin and it feels smooth and supple.
- Mushrooms are high in vitamin D. They have healing properties when topically placed to acne lesions. Thus, mushroom extracts are mostly used in skin care products to treat skin conditions like eczema, rosacea and acne.
- They possess anti-ageing properties. Kojic acid is used in creams, lotions, and serums to remedy signs of ageing such as liver spots, age spots, discolouration and uneven skin tone caused by photodamage.
- Mushrooms also increase bone length. In addition, the antioxidants in mushrooms, ergothioneine and glutathione, help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Eating at least five mushrooms a day reduces your risk of neurological diseases in the future.
- Mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, promoting healthy, long and strong hair. They prevent hair loss and other problems. Mushrooms have Vitamin B, which helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to your scalp. As a result, it helps to increase hair growth.
