Shiitake Mushrooms Are A Superfood Full of Wonderful Health Benefits

Exotic shiitake mushrooms have been part of the diet in China, Japan, and Korea for thousands of years! Their medicinal and health benefits are proven, from boosting the immune system to fighting cancer. This superfood became the Asian symbol for longevity since early times.

Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms

1. Excellent Source of Vitamin D

Even though vitamin D comes best from the sun, we can get it from these mushrooms too. They produce vitamin D2 and also produce vitamin D3 and vitamin D4. This only happens when the mushrooms have been grown in the sunlight. There is research with rats and mice that say the mushroom fights obesity and supports cardiovascular health but that type of research does not have value for me.

2. Reduces Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums usually caused by an excess of bacteria. A study at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London shows that shiitake mushroom extract lowered gingivitis bacteria effectively.

3. Lowers Cancer Rates

There is a study, showing that shiitake mushrooms help stop the growth in tumor cancer cells.

“Multiple studies have shown that populations living in close proximity to where shiitake mushrooms grow (mostly in Japan), experience significantly lower rates of cancer compared to other people groups.” – The Truth About Cancer

4. Improves Immune System Function

The immune system’s function improved in a four-week study with 52 healthy males and females (aged 21–41 years). The participants consumed either five or 10 grams of shiitake mushrooms per day.

As reported by Mae Chan in ‘Prevent Disease’: “No health benefit is better documented for shiitake mushroom than immune support. From a dietary perspective, shiitake mushrooms appear able to enhance immune function.”

5. Boosts Energy and Brain Function

These mushrooms are a very good source of B vitamins which help turn nutrients in food into energy. Also, the B vitamins help the brain maintain focus. Research has found that when there are more B vitamins in the diet then one’s energy is boosted and a foggy brain is less.

Please Note

Some people can be allergic to the fruit bodies or spores in the shiitake mushroom. They have purines which get broken down into uric acid. When a diet is rich in purines it may raise uric acid levels in the body, which can lead to gout. If you have symptoms of gout limit your purine intake.

Nutrition

They are abundant in unique nutrients such as beta-glucans like lentinan, terpenoid-related nutrients like copalic acid, and amino acid derivatives like ergothioneine. Many of these nutrients have been found to be helpful in the health benefits noted above. They are rich in copper, manganese, vitamin D and dietary fiber. Learn more about Shiitake Mushroom nutrients.

Trivia

They are the most popular gourmet mushroom in the world and the second most grown mushroom next to the white button mushroom.
These mushrooms were originally grown in Japan on oak logs.
They still grow wild in mountainous areas of Asia, but nowhere else.
China is the largest producer of these mushrooms.

History

They have been growing wild in the mountains of China, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan for over one hundred million years ago.

The growing of these mushrooms began in 1100 AD in China, although they may have been grown before this time.

They also have a long history of medicinal use in these same countries.

Selecting the Best Shiitake Mushrooms

The dried mushroom has a more intense flavour which can make them preferable to fresh ones.

These mushrooms were once only found dried but can now be found fresh in grocery stores. They should be plump, firm and clean not wrinkled or have wet slimy spots.

Sometimes it is not easy to find good shiitake mushrooms. Here are some Dried Japanese Shitake Mushrooms

How to Store These Mushrooms

Remove them from the plastic-covered container and put them in a paper bag in the refrigerator for about one week. The dried mushrooms are best stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer and will stay fresh for six months to one year.

“Kids are now eating things like edamame and sushi. I didn’t know what shiitake mushrooms were when I was 10 – most kids today do.” — Emeril Lagasse

Tips for cooking Shiitake Mushrooms

As they are porous, if the mushrooms are exposed to too much water they will become soggy. Lightly rinse them quickly with a little water or wipe them with a damp cloth or kitchen towel.

The best way to cook mushrooms is to sauté them to bring out their unique flavour.

My Favorite Shiitake Mushroom Recipes

Quick Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms with Fresh Herbs – These sautéed shiitake mushrooms are a great addition to a meal, adding the healing benefits of these special mushrooms. They are a tasty topper for rice, millet or quinoa and only take about 15 minutes to make. Garlic adds a wonderful flavour to this Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms recipe.

Shiitake Mushroom Miso Soup is Savory and Delicious – This is the soup you will often find in Japanese restaurants. This shiitake mushroom miso soup is a delicious start to a meal and it is full of many health benefits from the mushroom, seaweed, miso and ginger

Shiitake Mushroom Salad with Walnuts is Very Tasty – This shiitake mushroom salad is extra delicious with the addition of walnuts. Yum! All the ingredients in this salad are healthy and so it is very good for you. A salad a day is always a good idea as it is a great way to get more vegetables into our diet.

Spicy Asian Shiitake Mushroom Stew with Fried Tofu – Try this very tasty hearty shiitake mushroom stew. It is a wonderful vegan dinner meal. You can always leave out the chili if you are one who does not like a very spicy soup like me.

If you enjoy the regular mushrooms then it is Time to enjoy Tasty Mushrooms with Amazing Health Benefits

Tasty Mushroom Recipes

Magnificent Mushroom Gravy – If you like mushrooms, you will love this mushroom gravy recipe! It is very good on bean or nut burgers.

Delicious Wild Rice Risotto with Corn and Mushrooms – This is a delicious wild rice risotto that is very simple to make. The addition of mushrooms and corn makes it extra yummy.

Yummy Grain-Free Stuffing with Cauliflower and Mushrooms – this is delicious stuffing without all that bread. It is very healthy and the addition of the mushroom add that extra yummy flavour.

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Grow Kit – Oyster and Pink Mushroom 2-Pack Variety – Indoor Non-GMO Growing Kit – Produces 3-4 Servings and Grows in 10 Days

Organic plant-based soil infused with mushroom spawn (one pearl, one pink)
✔️Grows in just 10 days ✔️Everything included ✔️100% Organic & Non-GMO ✔️Proudly grown in Michigan, USA
Each crop produces 3-4 servings of pearl oyster mushrooms, and each box can grow up two crops!