What nutritional values do mushrooms give? Are they worth putting in meals? What are the best types of mushrooms? Cremini or white?
Great question. While their macronutrient content is minimal, my understanding is that mushrooms are packed with beneficial micronutrients and myco-compounds.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/mushrooms/
it strongly depends on the species.
many many mushrooms (oyster, lions mane, shiitake, etc.) contain very beneficial compounds which can modulate your immune system, have nootropic effects, prevent some diseases and much more.
while most mushrooms don’t contain many macronutrients (especially protein), they do contain many micronutrients (b vitamins, trace minerals, etc.) and most importantly, fiber.so they keep you filled up for longer and support your gut health.
also, they taste absolutely great and can be the best and most healthy meat replacement
Eat em if you like the taste, they have some micronutrients which is always a positive thing.
But no, you’re not feeding people with just mushrooms. Unless theres species out there with good calorie density (which i am not aware of).
May depend on species. The Lions Mane mushroom has anti-inflammatoey and antioxidant properties and may confer some immune benefits. It supposedly helps with anxiety, depression, may help with neural repair and is linked with lower risks of cardiac, metabolic, oncogenic disorders in preclinical studies. A few reports suggest a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia with moderate consumption although clinical evidence is relatively low. I used to hate mushrooms but now I include several varieties throughout the week with my meal prep. Depending on the region you live, there can be several different species that may offer health benefits (Asian countries are known to have widespread varietals - my wife is Vietnamese and prior to meeting her I avoided mushrooms lol).
Mushrooms are great nutritionally. Regular white mushrooms, suppress cancer, and other things. Mushrooms are also one of the few foods that cooking does not change or destroy the nutrients. Also, there is a tremendous variety of mushrooms that do many many things. I urge you to look into it. They are wonderful nutritionally.
Whether or not to be added to food is all a choice of taste, but in terms of nutritional value, according to research on mushrooms, mushrooms contain fiber, protein, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, fewer calories, and minerals such as potassium, iron. copper, zinc, and manganese. I am sure this reference NCBI paper will clear your doubts. Again it is a choice of taste.
Imagine thinking whole foods aren’t good for us? Cmon man, next you’ll tell me bananas aren’t healthy because “sugar.”
Not sure on nutritional value, but I use them to make foods with lots of nutrients less bland. Roasted tomato and bell pepper bisque is a good example. If you make it the plant-based way, it tends to feel one-demential. The mushrooms add a richness and texture that my brain associates with cream. They certainly help me eat more veggies and lessen my dependence on animal products.
For those in the back: I’m not decrying animal products. I’m simply trying to incorporate more veggie meals.
Even raw mushrooms have micro nutrients. Sadly, this study focuses only on raw but not on cooked. Mushrooms are made of a natural material called chitin, and it’s very difficult to digest if it’s not cooked first. I imagine a study on COOKED mushrooms would yield much better nutritional value.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7869438/
Mushrooms have a lot of nutritional value, just not a lot of calories. The nutritional value is in things like vitamins B2, B3, and B5. Some, like portabellas, are a good source of selenium and copper.
The nutritional profile changes between cooked & raw mushrooms. Generally to the more favorable side for cooked. Also cooking makes the nutrients much more bioavailable than raw.
Mushrooms are a GBOMB (anti-cancer) food, supposedly! (I just remember the acronym from an NPR story from years ago - I am not a nutritionist and so can’t evaluate whether the research is legit)