8 Great Health Benefits of Yummy Oyster Mushrooms

Pinterest Pin about Oyster Health Benefits Blogs

Oyster mushrooms are so popular around the world and have silky BLING rich with nutrition! Oyster mushroom (OM) is SO HEALTHY, SO PRETTY, EASY to COOK, good for your body and taste DELICIOUS.

The yummy taste of oyster mushroom is not the only perk. Here are just some of the great health, medicinal and nutritional benefits of Oyster mushrooms well:

  1. Boosts immune system
  2. Improves strength and regulation
  3. Antimicrobial (Helps fight off E. coli, Staph, Candida overgrown, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus infection)
  4. Anticancer (polysaccharide in Oyster mushrooms is anti-tumor in animal studies and in-vitro)
  5. Antiviral (protects against direct and indirect viral activity)
  6. Protein rich
  7. Cholesterol Free
  8. Contains high levels of Vitamins D, D3, D5 and A

So Oyster mushrooms are:

  1. Increasingly popular
  2. Quick & easy to grow
  3. Have great health & medicinal benefit
  4. Taste scrumptious
  5. Easy to clean and cook

Oyster mushroom has BLING!

Oyster mushroom (OM) is a rich! OM is the rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and other antioxidants like selenium that protect body cells from damage that might lead to chronic diseases and help to strengthen the immune system.

Oyster mushroom is SO HEALTHY !

With so many different kinds of diets and nutritional needs in this modern world, OM fits almost every food need. OM is low in calories, fat free, cholesterol free, gluten free and very low in sodium.

You’ve probably seen oyster mushrooms listed as an ingredient in your favorite stir-fry, but did you know these fungi are also loaded with nutrients? It’s true.

Oyster mushrooms come in several distinct types and each one of them is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to keep your body healthy and defend against disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine has understood the value of oyster mushrooms and other medicinal mushrooms for centuries.

Here are some of the most well-researched oyster mushroom benefits.https://learn.freshcap.com/tips/oyster-mushroom-health-benefits/

1. IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT

The beta-glucans in oyster mushrooms make them one of the best foods on the planet for protecting your immune system against short- and long-term illnesses.

Unlike some foods that either stimulate or repress the immune system, mushrooms balance it.

Plus, oyster mushrooms are loaded with other antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage and oxidative stress so your immune system can defend itself against aging. Antioxidants are compounds that help fight free radicals and prevent damage to cells. Some studies have found that oyster mushrooms are loaded with health-promoting antioxidants, which may account for their multitude of health benefits. In fact, both test-tube and animal studies have shown that oyster mushrooms are effective at increasing antioxidant levels in the body and neutralizing harmful free radicals. (5, 6)

Image of someone measuring Blood Presure.

2. Lowering High Blood Pressure

Your body needs nutrients like vitamin D to regulate blood pressure levels.

Did you know that most people who live in cold climates are deficient in vitamin D?

3. REGULATING CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

Since mushrooms like oysters have a savory flavor and no cholesterol, they’re a great substitute for meat in many sautéed dishes.

One study also found that consuming oyster mushrooms reduced triglycerides and cholesterol levels in diabetic patients (as well as high blood sugar levels). 

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found throughout your body and is essential for health. Cholesterol is an important component of your cell membranes and is required for the synthesis of cholesterol, bile acids, and certain vitamins and hormones. Excess cholesterol, however, can build up in your blood, forming fatty deposits in the arteries and increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Oyster mushrooms have been shown to help lower cholesterol naturally and fast in some animal studies. A study published in the journal Mycobiology, for example, showed that supplementation with oyster mushrooms helped reduce total cholesterol levels by 37 percent and lowered triglycerides by 45 percent in rats.  Still, more studies are needed to determine how oyster mushrooms may affect cholesterol levels in humans.

4. BUILDING STRONG BONES

Oyster mushrooms have plenty of important nutrients for building strong bones. Specifically, vitamin D and magnesium.

While most people focus on calcium, your body also needs vitamin D and magnesium to process calcium and store it in your bones.

5. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

The beta-glucans and antioxidants in oyster mushrooms make it a great food for lowering inflammation.

Some research shows that beyond beta-glucans, some of the oyster’s anti-inflammatory properties come from a unique and somewhat unknown amino acid called ergothioneine.

According to the research, ergothioneine lowers “systemic” inflammation across the entire body which often contributes to diseases like dementia and diabetes.

Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect the body against infection and disease. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is believed to be associated with a higher risk of conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. 

Oyster mushrooms have been shown to possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. According to a test-tube study published in Nutrition Journal, oyster mushrooms were able to reduce the secretion of multiple markers of inflammation in the body.  This could have far-reaching benefits, as decreasing inflammation may help provide relief from many inflammatory conditions ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease.

6. ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES

The beta-glucans in mushrooms like oysters function as potent antioxidants that may protect the body against cancer.

One study found that oyster mushrooms have potential to be effective for certain types of cancer cells. 

One of the most impressive oyster mushroom benefits is its powerful effect on cancer cells. Thanks to their high content of antioxidants as well as their anti-inflammatory properties, oyster mushrooms may be able to help inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer, making oysters mushrooms potential cancer-fighting foods.

A test-tube study conducted by the Methodist Research Institute’s Cancer Research Laboratory in Indianapolis found that oyster mushrooms were able to inhibit the growth and spread of breast and colon cancer cells.  Similarly, another test-tube study in 2011 showed that oyster mushroom extract had therapeutic effects against colorectal tumor and leukemia cells.

7. PROTECTING THE HEART AGAINST CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Ergothioneine is also an excellent amino acid for protecting the heart because it prevents the buildup of plaque. Perhaps this is also why oyster mushrooms are able to lower cholesterol levels.

8. DEFEND AGAINST NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Finally, the amino acid ergothioneine is a cytoprotectant. In other words, it protects cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage.

That’s why mushrooms like oysters have potential for defending against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.Boost Brain Health

Believe it or not, what you eat can have a major impact on the health of your brain and may even influence your risk of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. Certain vitamins and minerals, in particular, are especially important when it comes to brain health.

Oyster mushrooms are rich in many of the nutrients believed to enhance brain function. Niacin, for instance, has been shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline in older adults in clinical research.  Meanwhile, a 2014 review out of Belgium suggested that riboflavin supplementation may have therapeutic effects against Brown’s syndrome, a type of motor neuron disorder. 

THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF OYSTER MUSHROOMS AND BENEFITS

Most of the incredible oyster mushroom health benefits come from its outstanding nutritional profile and are excellent for overall health and weight loss because they’re low in calories and fat with absolutely no cholesterol.

Oyster mushrooms boast just 28 calories per one-cup serving with 1g fat, 2g dietary fiber, and 3g protein.

Beyond the basics, oyster mushrooms also have decent nutritional value thanks to their wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

  • Niacin: Almost every cell in the human body requires niacin to function and metabolize other nutrients.
  • Vitamin D: Vitamin D is not easy to find in food products (it typically comes from sunlight). However, mushrooms treated with UV lights are one of the best food sources of vitamin D.
  • Iron: Red blood cells require iron. One cup of oyster mushrooms gives you 12% of your recommended iron intake which makes them a great meat substitute in that respect.

Oyster mushrooms also contain 8% each of your daily recommended amount of important nutrients like

  • Riboflavin
  • Potassium
  • Vitamin B6
  • B Vitamins
  • Folic acid (folate)
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Pantothenic acid
  • Amino acids

Oyster Mushroom Nutrition

Take a look at the oyster mushrooms nutrition profile, and it’s easy to see why they’re so good for you. They’re extremely low in calories but contain a good chunk of protein, fiber, niacin and riboflavin.

One cup of sliced oyster mushrooms (about 86 grams) contains approximately: (11)

  • 37 calories
  • 5.6 grams carbohydrates
  • 2.8 grams protein
  • 0.4 gram fat
  • 2 grams dietary fiber
  • 4.3 milligrams niacin (21 percent DV)
  • 0.3 milligram riboflavin (18 percent DV)
  • 1.1 milligrams pantothenic acid (11 percent DV)
  • 103 milligrams phosphorus (10 percent DV)
  • 361 milligrams potassium (10 percent DV)
  • 0.2 milligram copper (10 percent DV)
  • 0.1 milligram thiamine (7 percent DV)
  • 23.2 micrograms folate (6 percent DV)
  • 1.1 milligrams iron (6 percent DV)
  • 0.1 milligram manganese (5 percent DV)
  • 0.1 milligram vitamin B6 (5 percent DV)

In addition to the nutrients listed above, oyster mushrooms also contain a small amount of magnesium, zinc and selenium

Precautions

Some people may be allergic to mushrooms and other types of fungi. If you experience any food allergy symptoms like hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting or cramps after eating oyster mushrooms, discontinue use and talk to your doctor.

Additionally, oyster mushrooms contain a very small amount of arabitol, a type of sugar alcohol that can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in some people. If you find that you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or following a diet plan low in FODMAPs, it may be best to limit your intake of oyster mushrooms.

Mushrooms also contain a good amount of purines, a compound that is broken down into uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid can aggravate gout symptoms, such as pain, swelling and redness in the joints. It may be helpful to limit your intake of purine foods if you have a history of gout or are experiencing a flare-up of symptoms.

Yummy Oyster Mushrooms keep you beautiful, healthy and strong! Enjoy the delicious oyster mushroom with your favorite chilled adult beverage!