Although we often say, "Different folks, different strokes," when it comes to mushrooms, nutritionists are all shouting, "Mushrooms, mushrooms, everyone loves them." According to a March 20 report in the Chicago Tribune, for the sake of our health, we really shouldn't go a day without mushrooms.
Mushrooms are nutritious, delicious, and have been considered a delicacy since ancient times. They are a healthy food that is high in protein, low in fat, and rich in nutrients such as essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and polysaccharides.
Moreover, regular consumption of mushrooms can greatly promote the body's absorption of nutrients from other foods. Mushrooms are rich in 18 amino acids, and in some mushrooms, the amino acid composition of protein is even better than that of beef. Research has found that the nutritional value of mushrooms is second only to milk. It is generally believed that high animal protein and plant protein are found only in meat and legumes, respectively, but mushrooms are also extremely high in protein. Mushrooms contain a variety of vitamins. Many mushrooms contain carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the body, giving mushrooms the reputation of a "treasure trove of vitamin A."
However, Margaux Kraus, an advisor to the American Mushroom Institute, explains that in addition to the well-known benefits mentioned above, mushrooms also have the following five "secret weapons."
1. Twenty Calories:
A small handful of mushrooms contains the essence of nature and is a very healthy food. The nutrients in mushrooms help heart health and boost immunity. Each serving of mushrooms has only about 20 calories, much less than eating something like rice cakes.
2. Umami:
Mushrooms have a sixth taste, umami, in addition to sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty. When cooked with other foods, their flavor is excellent, making them a great "flavor booster."
3. Vitamin D:
No other fresh vegetables or fruits contain vitamin D, but mushrooms are an exception. Furthermore, they are very rich in vitamin D, which is beneficial for bone health.
4. Antioxidants:
The antioxidant capacity of mushrooms can rival that of some brightly colored vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, broccoli, and red peppers.
5. Substitute for Staple Foods:
Data shows: If people replace a staple food like fried rice with 100 grams of mushrooms per meal and stick with it for a year, they can consume 18,000 fewer calories without making any other changes to their diet, which is equivalent to two kilograms of fat. It's not difficult to lose two kilograms of body weight, but to lose two kilograms of fat, it might take you months of hard work at the gym.