Introduction: The erratic weather during the changing seasons can easily lead to colds, so both the elderly and children need to be extra careful with their diet. A Japanese study has pointed out that eating shiitake mushrooms regularly can boost metabolism and make people more energetic. Therefore, people who are prone to colds can drink more shiitake mushroom soup to strengthen their constitution.
Colds can occur throughout the year, especially affecting the elderly, infants, and those who are frequently ill. There are many ways to prevent colds, and drinking shiitake mushroom soup is a very convenient and acceptable method.
Chicken Carrot and Mushroom Soup
The research findings of Dr. Mori Ki, a Japanese medical doctor, have confirmed that eating shiitake mushrooms regularly can boost metabolism, increase energy levels, and make one less susceptible to colds. It is said that the people of Bohemia in the Czech Republic have a natural immunity to colds, which is related to their frequent consumption of wild-picked mushrooms. The reason shiitake mushrooms can prevent colds is closely related to their special nutritional components. Scientists have discovered that shiitake mushrooms contain mushroom ribonucleic acid, which stimulates the body's reticular tissue cells and white blood cells to release interferon. Interferon can eliminate viruses in the body and enhance the body's resistance to the influenza virus. Shiitake mushrooms also contain eritadenine, which has strong antiviral properties. Furthermore, scientists have found that the spores of shiitake mushrooms have areca-like small granules that can stimulate the cold virus, causing it to form a thick wall. Once this thick wall is formed, the cold virus loses its ability to cause cold symptoms in humans and other animals. Therefore, during the cold and flu season, it is advisable to increase the intake of shiitake mushrooms, especially for those who are frequently affected by colds.
Mushroom Soup
There are many ways to eat shiitake mushrooms; they can be eaten alone or paired with pork, chicken, duck, etc. They can be stir-fried or braised to make delicious dishes, or they can be boiled or stewed to make delicious and savory soups. The latest research from the United States points out that chicken soup can help expel cold viruses from the body and help people get rid of the flu. Therefore, if shiitake mushrooms are stewed with chicken, its effect in preventing and treating the flu is even stronger. The specific method is as follows: Chop half a chicken (about 500g) into pieces, blanch to remove blood water, lift out and wash for later use. Soak 12-15 shiitake mushrooms until soft, wash, drain, remove stems, and cut in half. Place the chicken pieces in a stew pot, add an appropriate amount of water and seasonings such as green onions, ginger, and cooking wine. Cover the pot and stew for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, add the shiitake mushrooms and an appropriate amount of salt, continue to stew for another 20 minutes, and then add monosodium glutamate before serving. For patients with qi deficiency who have recurrent colds and sweat profusely, 10 red dates can also be added to the stew.
Shiitake mushrooms contain a high amount of potassium, so patients with hyperkalemia and those taking digitalis should eat them sparingly or not at all.
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