6 Benefits of oyster mushrooms that are important for you to know for the body

Fried oyster mushrooms are often a hunger stop snack in the afternoon. Many also process it into a side dish for eating rice. Psstt… Did you know that there are many benefits of oyster mushrooms that are beneficial for the health of the body. Anything, huh?

Recognize first the nutritional content in oyster mushrooms

Source: Dr. Ax

Mushrooms that are sold in the market are available in various types, shapes and sizes. Maybe you have occasionally or even often, find it difficult to distinguish types of mushrooms so that you are often confused when you say their names.

Of the many types available, oyster mushroom is one that is often eaten thanks to its delicious taste and easy processing. This mushroom which is famous for its main characteristic which resembles a fan shape and is white in color, can be processed into various dishes according to your taste.

Besides fried in flour, oyster mushrooms can also be sauteed or cooked into soup with other vegetables. In fact, some people also like to process it into mushroom pepes.

Better not only know the delicious taste. Have you fully understood what nutrients are contained in oyster mushrooms?

Oyster mushrooms weighing 100 grams (gr) can contribute 30 calories of energy, 1.9 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 5.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.6 grams of fiber. Do not stop there, you will get various intake of vitamins and minerals when eating this oyster mushroom. Starting from vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, copper, and zinc.

It's no wonder that oyster mushrooms are included in healthy food sources that you should consider.

Various beneficial benefits of oyster mushrooms

1. Increase endurance

A study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine shows that oyster mushrooms have the potential to boost the immune system. The active ingredients in oyster mushrooms can stimulate macrophages to work more actively.

Macrophages are a part of white blood cells that fight viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.

2. Lower cholesterol

A study published in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology found that oyster mushrooms can help reduce the amount of total cholesterol in the blood.

This finding is also supported by other studies which found that regular consumption of oyster mushrooms for 24 days can lower cholesterol in diabetics without having side effects on the liver and kidneys.

The benefits of this oyster mushroom come from the content of lovastatin which helps regulate circulating blood cholesterol levels. In addition, the beta-glucan content, which is a form of water-soluble fiber found high in mushrooms, can also affect cholesterol levels. Beta-glucan functions to absorb cholesterol in the bloodstream.

In addition to blood cholesterol, this study also shows that the benefits of other oyster mushrooms can help lower triglyceride levels and blood sugar in diabetics.

3. Helps prevent cancer

A study published in the International Journal of Oncology in 2008, shows that this mushroom extract supplement can suppress the growth of breast and colon cancer cells. The same supplements can also help prevent the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

The content of betaglukan and glycoproteins in oyster mushrooms can increase the body's natural anti-cancer response.

The composition of this fungus will give early warning to Natural Killer (NK) cells, namely natural killer cells that are able to kill cancer cells to be more alert to the growth of cancer cells, and T cells that help fight infections that occur in the body.

4. Source of vitamin B3

Oyster mushrooms are a good source of vitamin B3 and are easily found in various types of food. This vitamin, which has another name, niacin, plays an important role in helping the growth, development and work of the organs in the body.

Vitamin B3 is also tasked with helping to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins from your diet so that they can be used as energy. In addition, niacin also functions to maintain heart health and reduce bad cholesterol.

When it enters the body, vitamin B3 will be converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Both of these compounds are included in antioxidants, so they can help maintain a healthy body.

5. Rich in antioxidants

Other benefits of oyster mushrooms are a source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that are tasked with fighting the various bad effects caused by free radicals. In fact, everyone's body produces its own antioxidants.

It's just that, the amount produced by the body is not too much, so you still need antioxidant intake from your daily diet. Interestingly, this mushroom is a food source that is high in ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant that helps prevent inflammation.

Research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2010 states that ergothioneine is useful for preventing plaque formation in blood vessels that triggers heart disease and atherosclerosis.

More than that, antioxidants also function to inhibit the spread of cancer cells, one of which is also caused by free radicals.

6. Increase collagen

Other benefits of oyster mushrooms are a good source of copper minerals for the body. Copper functions to improve blood circulation by increasing the growth of red blood cells.

The function of the nervous system will be more optimal thanks to the copper content present in this mushroom. On the other hand, copper also has a function to strengthen connective tissue by helping to increase collagen production.

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