Oyster mushrooms are a type of medicinal fungus.
Often the benefit of oyster mushrooms is revealed in the form of delicious dishes and as a dietary component.
However, in various medical methods, the beneficial properties of oyster mushrooms are used to treat a number of completely different diseases (up to HIV).
Oyster mushrooms: how they are used
The scientific term of oyster mushroom is Pluroteus. For the first time oyster mushrooms were cultivated by the Germans during the First World War. These mushrooms played a big role in wartime, not allowing to die from starvation. Oyster mushrooms are widely distributed in tropical and temperate forests on different continents. Oyster mushrooms are grown in China, India, Iran, and many European countries.
These mushrooms grow on dead wood clusters, have a whitish or grayish color. Their cap can be from 5 to 25 centimeters in diameter. The attractiveness of these mushrooms for entrepreneurs is that oyster mushrooms grow all year round, they do not need special conditions, and they can grow on straw, cotton, hemp, waste from coffee production, paper products and almost any other dried cellulosic material.
Oyster mushrooms are used most often in Korean and Chinese cuisines, but they are becoming increasingly popular in our latitudes. With proper cooking, oyster mushrooms are good for health and pleasant to the taste, with a fleshy and at the same time delicate texture. Mushrooms are an excellent addition to any pasta dish, roast, pizza, stew, or cream soup, and in combination with omelette and other egg dishes, oyster mushrooms maximize their taste.
Useful composition of oyster mushrooms
These mushrooms are also known for their beneficial properties. Oyster mushrooms contain a large amount of lovastatin, which effectively reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. In addition, the composition of oyster mushrooms protects against atherosclerosis and improves immunity.
Oyster mushrooms are rich in vitamin C, group B and protein. The texture of the pulp of oyster mushrooms is gentle and soft. Oyster contains most of the mineral salts needed by the human body. The content of calcium, phosphorus and iron in oyster mushrooms is twice as high as their content in beef, pork and chicken. Vitamin B3 (natsina) in oyster mushrooms is 5-10 times more than any other vegetable.
One portion of oyster mushrooms in the composition contains (as a percentage of the daily recommended amount for a person):
• 20% riboflavin, or vitamin B2 for humans. Riboflavin promotes the effective absorption of vitamin B6 by the body;
• 25% Natsin (vitamin B3);
• 6% vitamin B6;
• 13% pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5;
• 8% thiamine (vitamin B1).
• 12% of copper, phosphorus and potassium, minerals that help store and distribute energy throughout the body;
• 7% iron;
• 5% magnesium and zinc.
The benefits of oyster calories
100 grams contains 89 grams of water, only 0.4 grams of fat and 3.3 grams of protein.
Calorie oyster mushrooms - only 33 kcal. One small (15 grams) oyster mushroom contains 5 kilocalories, and in a large mushroom weighing up to 148 grams - 46 kcal.
The benefit of oyster mushrooms is that in their dry residue the amount of protein reaches 30%, and it is as similar to animal protein as possible. Mushrooms can be a nutritious product in the daily diet for people of all ages, and even reduce cholesterol levels. For people with hypertension, obesity and diabetes, due to the caloric content of oyster mushrooms, they are suitable as a component of a diet low in sodium, potassium, starch and fat.
Oyster mushrooms: what is the benefit for the body?
For thousands of years, oyster mushrooms have been used as a culinary and medicinal ingredient. They have a rich history in traditional Chinese medicine, having been used for more than 3000 years, in particular, as a tonic for the immune system. These gray, modest-looking mushrooms, endowed with a unique set of nutrients.
Antioxidant properties
Oyster mushrooms contain ergotionein, a unique antioxidant produced exclusively by mushrooms. Scientists have proven that oyster mushrooms have beneficial antioxidant properties that protect the cells of the body. The advantage is that even after oyster mushroom cooking, ergothionein level in them does not decrease.
The benefits of oyster mushrooms to maintain the immune system
Mushrooms are only the fruit of mycelium - a network of ultrafine fibers woven into a false fabric. The pledge of their resistance - amino acid compounds secreting antibiotics. These kinds of natural antibiotics are extremely effective in combating the hosts of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Regular consumption of oyster mushrooms in food has a strong antibacterial and immunostimulating effect.
Anti-cancer properties of oyster mushrooms
In 2008, studies were conducted, during which it was confirmed that the oyster mushroom extract suppresses the development and metastasis of breast cancer and colon cancer in humans, in particular, by activating specific immune cells.
Antibacterial effect
Back in 1950, one of the first antibiotics, pleuromutilin, was isolated from oyster mushroom. Then it was noticed that the oyster mushroom inhibits a wide range of gram-negative bacteria, including salmonella and pseudomonads. More recently, during an antibacterial test, it was proved that an oyster mushroom extract from the mycelium effectively prevents the spread of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (including Staphylococcus aureus).
Oyster mushrooms from anemia
People suffering from anemia due to a lack of folic acid or iron will definitely benefit from including oyster mushrooms in their diet. Both of the above ingredients are found in oyster mushrooms in abundance, and will help correct anemia more effectively. In particular, the amount of iron in these mushrooms is significantly higher than even in red meat or poultry meat.
Blood Pressure Stabilization
The beneficial properties of oyster mushrooms for the body are the ability to regulate the level of blood pressure. This is possible due to the presence in the composition of oyster mushrooms large quantities of potassium, which is used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension. Potassium regulates sodium balance in the body, fights puffiness and lowers blood pressure.
Oyster mushrooms from constipation
The main cause of constipation is nutrition with fiber deficiency, and one of the best ways to increase the rate of fiber intake in the body is to lean on oyster mushrooms. These types of fungi are a significant source of fiber: one very large mushroom contains as much as 14% of the daily recommended fiber intake. Nutritionists recommend these mushrooms for regular consumption, as together with the saturation of fiber oyster mushrooms do not give the effect of bloating, unlike many other mushrooms.
Decreased gastric acidity
Oyster mushrooms are an effective natural ingredient to combat high acidity and excessive secretion of gastric juice. When metabolized in the digestive system, oyster mushrooms give an alkaline residue, which neutralizes excess acid in the stomach.
Oyster mushrooms and their beneficial properties in the fight against nematodes
Nematodes are a type of worms that can seriously damage the intestines and the human digestive system. As an antidote, for the prevention, you need to eat oyster mushrooms, because they can kill nematodes directly in the human gut.
Reducing the risk of heart disease
Cardiovascular diseases often occur because of the obstructed blood flow of the vessels, when the body is unable to regulate the level of blood pressure. As a result, there are both minor difficulties in the work of the heart muscle and coronary heart disease.
That oyster mushroom can be a deterrent to these diseases. Vitamins and minerals underlying oyster mushrooms can normalize blood pressure and prevent a heart attack.
Oyster mushrooms: what is the harm to health?
For many people, spores of fungi cause a hypersensitive reaction of the body, especially if you use mushrooms in unlimited quantities. If the body has not met with oyster mushrooms, it is better to start with a small amount of mushrooms and monitor the reaction.
In recent studies, scientists have identified ostreolysin, a thermolabile hemolytic protein, which is toxic and harmful to oyster mushrooms. Ostreolysin harms the body, provided that the oyster mushrooms are not thermally treated with a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. This is another reason why all mushrooms, with the exception of truffles, are better thermally processed in order to make the best use of their beneficial nutritional properties when deactivating heat-sensitive toxins.
For pregnant and lactating mothers: harmful oyster mushroom?
All the beneficial properties of oyster mushrooms extend to the body of a pregnant woman. Mushrooms can be used as an additional source of protein and vitamins to diversify the diet. Fetus will not harm a pregnant woman using oyster mushrooms.
But breastfeeding provides greater care nursing mothers to their diet. Mushrooms, in particular, oyster mushrooms, it is better to exclude from the diet for the period of breastfeeding. If complete exclusion is not possible, then it is necessary to introduce mushrooms into the diet in small doses, in order to avoid intolerance.
In addition, both for pregnant women and small children, toxins in mushrooms are dangerous, they need to be heat treated and bought only from reputable manufacturers.
Oyster mushrooms for children: useful or harmful
Oyster mushrooms for children are considered relatively safe foods, especially when compared to other vegetables that may contain harmful bacteria. As long as you cook and store oyster mushrooms properly, for children they make up a safe, tasty and healthy addition to any dish. It remains only to find a way to prepare dishes that your child likes.
