Mushrooms and why to appreciate them
Seasons change fast with severe fluctuations since the environment is severely endangered. We can see heavy rains at the end of spring in a continental climate which is very unusual especially when rain is long-lasting. Floods could follow, depending on the terrain but this story is positive, it is about mushrooms.
Mushrooms inevitably bring magic everywhere..to our forests, our tables, dishes, our childhood even. Remember popular cartoon characters Smurfs and their magical villages? Then every walk through the woods, especially after the rain, is full of wonder when we see the colorful world of mushrooms, just emerged from the ground. Typically, they need not more than half a day to fully grow in forest conditions. Many mushrooms are edible but unfortunately, some mimic different species of animals, flowers and can be very dangerous up to the point of poisoning. This fact was often used in human history and nowadays, mushrooms are grown because of their nutritional value and their health benefits, above all other values.
From the perspective of modern science, people were able to almost fully understand the nutritional content in mushrooms. Edible units are easy to cook and digest, contain lots of protein and no fats, so they can largely complement regular meals.
Presence of specific amino acid (ergothioneine), place mushrooms to the top of the vegetarian and vegan diet, since this amino-acid is usually present in animal kidney, liver, and between nonanimal sources-only in mushrooms oats and beans. Why is ergothioneine so appreciated? Because of its high anti-oxidative ability (doesn't auto-oxidize at physiologic pH, it does not promote the generation of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 and Fe2+ ions. In other words, stressed cells under the attack of free radicals can be protected when this amino acid is present, and therefore it is considered to serve as a final defense against oxidation in cells.(NCBI source) Trials even suggested that ergothioneine should be considered as a longevity vitamin.
Mushrooms can provide us with one form of vitamin B12 which is unusual for non-animal sources and hence, again, highly appreciated. This form is highly biodegradable and necessary for normal development and functionality in the neural and muscular systems. Nowadays, mushrooms are consumed in a variety of ways and one of them includes powder-enriched with protein and B12 supplements.
Because of the selenium, mushrooms are also considered as antimicrobial, and antiviral- selenium can destroy lipid layers in foreign entities and protect the organism from a disease. At this time of viral pandemics, data like this can be easily acknowledged and used. Certain forms of mushrooms can promote maturation and function of dendritic cells. According to studies, dendritic cells are responsible for the enhanced development of adaptive immunity (NCBI source). Among all species of mushroom, for the development of immunity, on is preferred -shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). This type is proved to improve human immunity and hence, it is often used as supplements.
Edible forms of mushrooms: Button (white) mushrooms, Shiitake, Oyster, Enoki Portabelo, Morel mushrooms, and some other. To see and learn more about them see : https://www.thespruceeats.com/edible-mushroom-varieties-1807698
