What are the benefits of mushrooms? The difference between store-bought and wild mushrooms, how to collect them

Mushrooms are a real storehouse of vitamins and nutrients that our body needs. But for many, this product is associated not only with eating, but also with the collection process itself. Forest, fresh air, silence and complete concentration so as not to miss some kind of prey - what’s not a great activity? However, not all mushrooms can be cut off and safely placed in the basket. And you should choose them in the store with caution, despite a number of useful properties. But first things first!

Against viruses. What foods will help strengthen your immune system?

Main beneficial properties of mushrooms

• Mushrooms are an excellent source of protein. Some varieties are as nutritious as beef. Just 150 g of dried mushrooms can provide the body with the daily requirement for meat;
• Mushrooms are a low-calorie product that consists of 90% water, practically does not contain starch, sodium and cholesterol, helps the body get rid of excess fluid (due to the presence of potassium), improves metabolism, and all this promotes weight loss;
• Miracle hats play an important role in strengthening the immune system. When consumed regularly, mushrooms prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidant selenium they provide is found only in some vegetables and fruits;
• Thanks to the abundance of zinc and B vitamins, mushrooms are beneficial for the nervous system, they prevent emotional disorders and help avoid mental exhaustion;
• The presence of vitamin D makes mushrooms beneficial for healthy skin, bones, teeth, nails and hair.

The most valuable for their nutritional and healing qualities are considered to be porcini mushrooms, boletus, aspen mushrooms, boletus mushrooms, boletus mushrooms, milk mushrooms, chanterelles, honey mushrooms, saffron milk caps and even the ubiquitous russula.

Benefits and composition

It is not for nothing that mushrooms are added to various dishes and consumed in their pure form, since they have a number of beneficial properties, namely:

• normalize the functioning of the nervous system, help cope with stress, improve memory;
• reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood;
• increase the body's defenses, strengthening the immune system;
• significantly reduce the risk of diseases of the endocrine system, heart and blood vessels;
• help increase appetite and also stimulate the production of gastric juice, which helps digest other foods.

In addition to all this, mushrooms are considered a dietary product. The aromatic gifts of nature received all these beneficial properties due to their composition. Among the components of mushrooms there are useful: minerals, vitamins, vegetable proteins, fats, fatty acids, resins and essential oils. Thanks to the beneficial components, mushrooms have a characteristic aroma.

But in addition to useful components, the composition also contains harmful substances, such as chitin. This component interferes with the complete absorption of protein compounds.

The main amount of chitin is contained in the lower part of the mushroom, which is why it is better to use their caps for eating. If you still love legs, then carefully peel off the outer skin from them before preparing dishes.

White mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms are a valuable source of proteins, enzymes and dietary fiber. Sulfur and polysaccharides in their composition can provide significant support in the fight against cancer, lecithin and the alkaloid hercedine are very important for the health of the cardiovascular system, riboflavin is responsible for the growth of hair, nails, skin renewal, proper functioning of the thyroid gland and the health of the body as a whole.

Of all the mushrooms, boletus mushrooms contain the most complete set of amino acids, including essential ones. The vitamin and mineral composition of these noble mushrooms is also rich. They contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, manganese, zinc, tocopherol, niacin, thiamine, folic and ascorbic acid. Boletuses have wound-healing, immunomodulatory and antitumor properties.

Not for everyone: contraindications for use

Adding mushrooms to your daily diet should be approached with caution. Firstly, you need to take into account the daily intake, and secondly, you need to know for sure whether you have any contraindications to use.

Anna:

Mushrooms should not be eaten every day. For those people who love them and who have no contraindications, I still recommend no more than twice a week. The ideal option is to make a warm salad with mushrooms. That is, place mushrooms on a bed of green leaves so that the greens, as a natural source of enzymes and fiber, help break down the source of protein. And accordingly there should not be more than 100 grams of mushrooms per serving. For example: 40 g of green leaves, 100 g of mushrooms, 50-100 g of vegetables - and we get a good portion.

People with pancreatitis, those who have problems with the pancreas and enzyme deficiency should not eat mushrooms at all. Because they require a sufficient amount of enzymes in order to be properly absorbed and processed.

What happens to your body if you give up dairy products for a month?

It is also not recommended to eat mushrooms fresh - it is best to boil them or stew them after boiling. Nutrition experts recommend adding them to vegetable and cereal dishes. But porcini mushrooms should not be served with meat and potatoes. Mushroom proteins can conflict with meat proteins, and this can lead to unpleasant sensations in the stomach. And starch will slow down the already long absorption of boletus mushrooms.

Boletus

In terms of nutritional and taste qualities, boletuses are practically not inferior to boletus mushrooms. These mushrooms contain a lot of potassium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and C, fiber, lecithin, enzymes and fatty acids. In terms of nicotinic acid content, they are not inferior to liver, and in terms of the concentration of B vitamins they are close to grain crops. There is more protein in boletus than in meat.

Valuable amino acids, the source of which they are, are especially important for people whose bodies are weakened by previous operations, infectious diseases, and various types of inflammatory processes. Dry red mushroom powder is taken to cleanse the blood and reduce cholesterol levels.

Varnished tinder fungus

This species was called the mushroom of immortality in China. The second name for the lacquered mushroom is reishi mushroom. The fame of this mushroom has been thundering for more than one millennium. There are a lot of ancient legends about him. Over the years, thanks to the varnished tinder fungus, almost all dangerous diseases have been treated and even successfully slowed down the aging process.

Reishi mushroom is quite difficult to find, but if you set your mind to it, you can grow it at home. By taking reishi mushroom, the human body becomes more protected from adverse factors, and its immunity becomes stronger. The active substances of the mushroom activate the immune system and affect leukocytes. This allows you to successfully fight infectious diseases and even cancer.

Saffron milk caps

These mushrooms have been collected in Rus' since ancient times. If gourmets have given boletus the title of “king of mushrooms,” then saffron milk cap is called “grand prince.” Both peasants and kings valued these mushrooms for their original taste and wonderful aroma. Its beneficial properties are also multifaceted. In terms of digestibility by the human body, saffron milk caps are among the most valuable mushrooms. They are rich in carotenoids, valuable amino acids, iron, contain fiber, B vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine and niacin), ascorbic acid and the valuable antibiotic lactoviolin, which has a detrimental effect on the growth of many bacteria.

The health benefits of saffron milk caps are also explained by the abundance of mineral salts in them - potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium. Saffron milk caps are used to treat diseases caused by metabolic disorders, rheumatism, vitiligo, and lung diseases.

The most expensive mushrooms in the world

Many of the most delicious types of mushrooms are quite common in our area and are available to the population. However, some varieties of edible fruiting bodies are extremely rare and are real delicacies. They are often served only in the best restaurants in the world to very wealthy people.

Morels

Sometimes “on a quiet hunt” under a layer of foliage you can find unusual fruiting bodies with a ruffled head. These are morels - one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world. Unfortunately, not many people in Russia know about their edibility and pass by. However, abroad, 1 kg of dried morels can cost more than $500. These mushrooms are especially valued in Europe and the USA.

Black truffle

One of the most expensive types of mushrooms on the planet is the black truffle. It is almost impossible to find it in the forest, since it grows underground only in certain places. These mushrooms are collected from November to March in France, Spain and Italy. In China, these mushrooms are grown artificially, but real gourmets prefer to eat only those fruits that have grown naturally.

The best chefs on the planet are willing to pay thousands of dollars to have this product on their menu. Black truffle has an incredible taste and aroma, however, it is so rich that it is added to dishes in very small quantities.

Matsutake

The mushroom with the unusual name matsutake is the most expensive species in Russia. It forms mycorrhiza with oak trees, merging tightly with their roots deep underground. In this regard, extracting this fruit from the ground can sometimes be very difficult.

Matsutake grows and develops only in the natural conditions of the forests of Japan, Korea, China, North America and Russia. The price for 1 kg of product can be more than 2 thousand dollars. At the same time, only fresh fruits with the most pronounced taste and aroma are of greatest value.

White truffle

Among mushrooms in European countries, the main delicacy is the white truffle. Like matsutake, it grows mainly under oak trees, and people use specially trained pigs and dogs to find it.

In some countries, this mushroom is considered poisonous, but many experienced chefs use it to prepare various gourmet dishes. The average price per kilogram of white truffles is about 5, or even 7 thousand dollars.

Cordyceps chinensis

The selection of the most expensive mushrooms on the planet is completed by Chinese cordyceps. This Tibetan delicacy costs more than 120 thousand dollars per kilogram. This cost is determined not only by the rarity of this unusual parasite, but also by its amazing healing properties. It is believed that Cordyceps is consumed by Chinese athletes as a doping agent that can improve their physical performance tenfold. However, no blood test can detect traces of it in the body.

Truly, mushrooms are an amazing product that can not only delight you with its taste, but also improve your health. Many of the most delicious types of fruiting bodies grow in the forests of our country, so lovers of “quiet hunting” can safely go in search of them. But some specimens have a very high cost and are extremely rare.

Milk mushrooms

In Rus', milk mushrooms have been considered the best mushrooms for centuries. The value of these forest gifts is that they are one of the few sources of vitamin D that is not of animal origin. Traditional medicine has recognized soaked milk mushrooms as one of the best means for preventing urolithiasis: the bioactive substances contained in these mushrooms prevent the formation of axalates and urates in the kidneys.

Milk mushrooms are a source of vitamins C, PP and group B, provide the body with beneficial bacteria, contain natural antibiotics, which strengthen the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and suppress the proliferation of tuberculosis bacillus. Preparations from milk mushrooms are used to treat gallstone disease, kidney failure, emphysema and stomach diseases.

Store-bought or wild mushrooms: which mushrooms to choose?

You can often hear the opinion that products sold in supermarkets have nothing in common with those that ripen naturally in nature. To find out whether there are any useful mushrooms among artificially grown mushrooms, we turned to nutritionist and nutritionist Anna Berseneva

.

Anna:

In fact, like any product, mushrooms can be very good for some, but not for others. The most neutral mushrooms, which are a source of vegetable protein (not the best, but nevertheless quite light and easily digestible), microelements and, best of all, vitamin D, are oyster mushrooms and champignons. These are artificially grown mushrooms. The specificity of their cultivation is that for the last few hours they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, accumulating vitamin D, which then enters our body.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Still, our expert recommended choosing products in the store with caution. Here are the criteria you should pay attention to.

• Appearance.
  There should be no mold or dubious fluff on the mushrooms, they should not be slimy.
• Smell.
  There should be no acidic, overly bright, artificial smell that spreads throughout the entire apartment when you open the package. Mushrooms should smell like mushrooms.

When purchasing, the nutritionist advised us to remember our childhood and how the mushrooms we collected in nature looked and smelled. This is the guideline. By the way, among forest mushrooms, the nutritionist also identified two types that are most beneficial for the body.

Anna:

Porcini mushroom and chanterelles are among the most useful. Because they are least likely to contain toxins and harmful substances that can accumulate in other mushrooms. They are also a source of protein.

10 foods that are high in protein. What to eat after training

Russula

These modest mushrooms with yellow, gray, green, pink-red, purple and brown caps are loved for their pleasant taste and multifaceted beneficial properties. Russula contains an abundance of fatty acids, dietary fiber, all kinds of mono- and disaccharides, vitamins PP, C, E, B1 and B2; among the minerals they contain the most magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. The substance lecithin in these mushrooms is of great importance for health, which cleans blood vessels, prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the body, and helps with metabolic disorders. Some types of russula have an antibacterial effect and help cleanse the stomach and intestines.

The enzyme russulin, found in russula, is in great demand in cheese making: only 1 g of this substance is required to curdle 200 liters of milk.

Chaga

Rospotrebnadzor called chaga an effective remedy for coronavirus. A solution is prepared at home and taken orally. The product tastes like chamomile. Chaga tea is useful for its properties: it reduces sweating, normalizes intestinal function and has a general tonic effect.

Chaga can be bought at a pharmacy (sold in bags for 50-70 rubles) or collected in the forest. The mushroom grows on birch trees. Common people are sure that if you take chaga periodically (observing a sense of proportion in its use, of course), then problems with the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract in general will go away. Chaga is a powerful antiseptic and helps with gastritis.

boletus

Fans of mushroom dishes know that wonderful taste is not the only advantage of boletus mushrooms; the health benefits of these mushrooms are also great. Boletus mushrooms are especially valued for their content of perfectly balanced protein, including arginine, tyrosine, leucine and glutamine. The vitamin composition of these mushrooms is also rich; it includes ascorbic and nicotinic acid, tocopherol, B vitamins and vitamin D.

The ability of boletus mushrooms to remove toxins from the body is ensured by the presence of dietary fiber, and the value of this product for the health of the musculoskeletal system is due to the content of a large amount of phosphoric acid, which is involved in the construction of enzymes. Boletus mushrooms are used to regulate blood sugar, treat kidney pathologies and disorders of the nervous system.{reklama}

Enoki

Enoki is a Chinese everyday life, but for us, Russian residents, it is exotic. Mushrooms of this type are not only healthy, they are also incredibly tasty and low in calories, which will be appreciated by those who care about maintaining weight. Enoki is a frequent guest in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and they are grown in China.

As a rule, enoki is eaten raw and is considered a vegetarian food. For easy digestion, it is still better to cook (about 3-5 minutes). They are loved for containing a number of B vitamins, potassium and selenium. For now, this is a rare product in Russia, and if it appears on the shelves, it is quickly sold out.

FYI: Enoki has an interesting aroma. Mushrooms do not have a pronounced odor, but smell of a light aroma of freshness.

Honey mushrooms

Honey mushrooms are rich in vitamins C and B1; different types of these mushrooms contain natural antibiotics, anticancer substances, tocopherol and nicotinic acid, potassium, sodium, magnesium and iron. Autumn honey mushrooms are used as a laxative, and meadow honey mushrooms have a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland and have a detrimental effect on E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Honey mushrooms are especially useful for people who have problems with hematopoiesis, for those suffering from coronary heart disease and diabetes.

100 g of these mushrooms can replenish the body’s daily need for honey and zinc. In terms of phosphorus and calcium content, honey mushrooms are close to fish, and the protein they contain has antitumor activity.

Why are mushrooms considered difficult for the body?

Photo: unsplash.com

This is because it is difficult for our body to digest them. Mushrooms contain chitin, which is difficult for the human body to digest. If we talk about percentages, then its composition in mushrooms can reach 60%. It is necessary for the formation of the mushroom framework.

Therefore, people may experience digestive disorders, nausea, and abdominal pain. Scientists note: to avoid problems, you need to control the amount of mushrooms in your diet and chew them very carefully.

Life hack: when preparing mushroom dishes, add thyme grains to them. They will help improve the digestion process.

Oyster mushrooms

In terms of their beneficial composition, oyster mushrooms are close to meat: these mushrooms contain B vitamins, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, as well as a rather rare vitamin D2, which is involved in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines, and the content of nicotinic acid (a particularly important vitamin for nursing mothers) Oyster mushroom is considered the most valuable mushroom. 8% of oyster mushrooms consist of minerals; just 100 g of the product can replenish the body’s daily need for potassium.

These mushrooms have bactericidal properties, help remove radioactive substances from the body, strengthen blood vessels, regulate blood pressure, and reduce bad cholesterol in the blood. And recently, scientists have discovered another interesting property of these mushrooms - the ability to increase male potency.

Maitake

Scientists have proven that maitake is a mushroom that strengthens the immune system and kills some types of cancer cells. If you are not going to the forest to pick mushrooms, you can buy maitake at the pharmacy in the form of capsules (maitake is also called griffola curly).

In addition to Japan and China, the mushroom grows in the northeastern United States. If you decide to take capsules, it is important to know the amount you should take per day. A total of one should be taken 3 times a day. One capsule contains 600 mg. mushroom raw materials. Many delicious dishes are prepared from maitake; 100 g of product contains 4.27 g of carbohydrates, 0.19 g of fat and 1.94 g of protein.

Fun fact: Maitake is called the “dancing mushroom.” According to the ancestors, this name was used for a reason. When picking mushrooms, the mushroom picker performed a ritual dance. Previously, it was believed that without this, the mushroom would not have beneficial properties.

Chanterelles

Mushroom lovers know that the delicate nutty taste is not the only advantage of chanterelle dishes. The benefits of these mushrooms are manifested in immunostimulating and antitumor effects, a beneficial effect on the condition of the mucous membranes, improved vision, the ability to remove radionuclides from the body and restore damaged pancreatic cells. Chanterelles are rich in copper, zinc, vitamins D, A, PP and group B, are a source of valuable amino acids, and are superior to carrots in beta-carotene content.

Natural antibiotics found in these mushrooms are harmful to staphylococci and tubercle bacilli. Extracts from chanterelles treat liver diseases. If these mushrooms are properly prepared, they can help treat obesity (caused by improper liver function).

Cordyceps

cordyceps mushroom grows on caterpillar larvae and is widely used in Chinese medicine. It has amazing abilities: it treats cancer, has a preventive effect against it, and improves the general condition. This mushroom mainly grows in the mountains of Tibet, but the mushroom can also be ordered online.

Cordyceps greatly increases energy. The antioxidant activity of the mushroom helps relieve fatigue and makes a person more resilient. In addition, cordyceps is used for a number of diseases: they treat sexual dysfunction, cough, fatigue, and even some types of cancer can be cured.

Champignon

These wonderful mushrooms are a source of lecithin, organic acids, minerals and valuable proteins. Among the vitamins, champignons contain tocopherol, vitamin D, nicotinic and folic acid. In terms of phosphorus content, champignons can compete with fish, and there are more B vitamins in these mushrooms than in fresh vegetables. The beneficial substances contained in champignons help fight fatigue, regulate mental activity, maintain good skin condition, activate the immune system, and have a beneficial effect on nerve cells, the circulatory system and the condition of the mucous membranes.

Champignons have antitumor and antibacterial activity, helping the body get rid of toxins, excess cholesterol and heavy metals.

Shiitake

Perhaps, if you are not interested in the topic of mushrooms and do not go to the harvest, you have heard/read the name of mushrooms on the menu of a Japanese restaurant. This component is popular in the preparation of rolls and sushi. Shiitake mushrooms properties ; they are even used to make medicine in Japan.

Shiitake has many beneficial properties: mushrooms have a positive effect on the nervous system, help with hepatitis, infertility, normalize metabolism, are used in cosmetology for facial and body care, etc. The healing properties of shiitake are recognized by official medicine in Japan, China, as well as many European countries . This type of mushroom (also called imperial) is not cheap, but if you include them in your diet, you will not regret it.

Harm from mushrooms

Since mushrooms are a difficult-to-digest product, you should not rely on them in case of acute inflammatory processes of the digestive system (pancreatitis, ulcers, gastritis, liver problems). It is not recommended to eat more than 100 g of pickled and salted mushrooms per day. It is not recommended to feed any mushrooms to children; babies do not have the enzymes necessary to break them down. It is highly not recommended to collect old mushrooms. Forest gifts collected in industrial areas, near busy highways, military training grounds, and chemical plants will also not be beneficial.

Rules of use

To ensure that mushrooms bring only benefits, remember a few simple rules:

1. Mushrooms, like a sponge, absorb all harmful substances, so they should not be collected near highways, cities, industrial and chemical plants. Do not use old mushrooms for cooking, because throughout their existence they could have accumulated many harmful substances.
2. Observe all storage standards and expiration dates for mushrooms, because this product is considered perishable. It is better to sort and cook mushrooms 5-6 hours after collection. Fragrant gifts of the forest can be fried, dried, frozen or canned.
3. Each type of mushroom should be cooked separately. The fact is that each variety requires its own method of preparation.
4. Mushrooms are very difficult to digest, so they should not be consumed if you have diseases of the digestive system or liver pathologies.
5. Mushrooms should not be given to children under 3 years of age. The fact is that the digestive system of young children is not capable of producing special enzymes designed to digest such foods. Children under 12 years old should be given mushrooms with extreme caution and in very small quantities.
6. It is necessary to observe the measure. Delicious salted mushrooms can be consumed no more than 100 g per day.
7. Some edible gifts of nature have poisonous “copies”, so you should clearly distinguish good mushrooms from dangerous counterparts.

Due to their composition, mushrooms are surprisingly beneficial for the human body. The most important thing is to learn how to collect and cook them correctly, not to buy mushroom pickles in unverified places and not to exceed the recommended daily allowance.

Species with medicinal properties

The following types of representatives of the kingdom have medicinal properties:

1. Gall mushroom. The specimen is named so because of its choleretic effect. Recommended for patients with liver problems.
2. Larch sponge. It has a laxative and hemostatic effect and is used in pharmacology.
3. Pepper mushroom. Contains a unique substance that can suppress the vital activity of the tuberculosis bacillus.
4. Veselka vulgaris. A mushroom ointment is made from the specimen, which is used to treat gout. Also based on Veselka, alcohol tinctures are made to treat the stomach.
5. Chaga. Fruiting bodies have anti-inflammatory properties. Chaga also tones cells.
6. Champignon. An extract from the fruiting body of the specimen is used to make medicines for the treatment of typhoid, suppuration and tuberculosis.
7. Delicious saffron milk cap. An antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis was synthesized from this species.
8. Gray dung beetle. Used to treat alcohol addiction. Coding preparations have been created based on the fungus.
9. Summer honey fungus. Actively fights bacteria. Stops the development of pathogenic microelements.

Thus, modern medicine and pharmaceuticals simply cannot do without some types of mushrooms.