Why Are Shiitake Mushrooms Good for You?

Originating from the lush mountainous regions of East Asia, shiitake mushrooms have traveled continents for several centuries, capturing palates and winning over the hearts of health enthusiasts. They have a distinct umami flavor, which has allowed them to become a darling of the culinary world. Shiitake mushrooms have also built a reputation for being a superfood, making it a staple among people obsessed with wellness. Why are shiitake mushrooms good for you? We will try to answer this question by explaining everything to you about this tasty wonder of Mother Nature.

What are Shiitake Mushrooms?

Let’s begin from the bottom – shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, as already mentioned earlier. They are tan to dark brown, with caps measuring between 2 and 4 inches or 5 and 10 cm. Shiitake grow naturally on decaying hardwood trees. They are eaten like vegetables, but they are also available in the form of supplements.

Almost 83% of shiitake are grown in Japan, although the USA, Singapore, Canada, and China also grow them.

Nutritional Profile

The calorific value of shiitake is very low, but they do contain a good amount of fiber, minerals, and B vitamins. Here is a list of the nutrients in 15 grams of dried shiitake mushrooms.

Additionally, shiitake mushrooms contain many of the amino acids found in meat. Shiitake even boast polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, and lipids. Some of these elements boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, and have anticancer effects.

The number of bioactive substances in shiitake depends on how and where the fungi are grown, stored, and prepared.

How to Use Shiitake?

Shiitake can be consumed as food and as supplements.

Shiitake as Food

While dried shiitake mushrooms are more popular, you can cook and eat both fresh and dried variants. The umami flavor is stronger and more apparent in fresh shiitake.

Both dried and fresh shiitake mushrooms are used in soups, stews, stir-fried, and other dishes.

Shiitake as Supplements

Shiitake has long been part of traditional Chinese medicine. They are also used in the medicinal traditions of Eastern Russia, Korea, and Japan. In Chinese medicine, shiitake is considered to be a health and longevity booster. It is also believed to improve circulation.

These are the reasons why so many herbal wellness enthusiasts buy shiitake mushroom extract for sale.

May Benefit the Heart

Why are shiitake mushrooms good for you? While further research on the subject is required, preliminary evidence suggests this mushroom may be able to improve heart health.

How? It contains three compounds capable of lowering cholesterol.

Eritadenine – Inhibits an enzyme involved in producing cholesterol.

Sterols – Help block cholesterol absorption in the gut.

Beta Glucans – A type of fiber that can reduce cholesterol.

The effects of these compounds have been tested on lab animals but not on humans. So, they must be confirmed before coming up with any solid conclusions.

May Enhance the Immune System

Shiitake may be able to bolster the immune system. In one study, participants were provided two dried shiitake every day. After one month, their immune system performance improved and their inflammation levels came down significantly.

This is possibly due to one of the polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms.

May Have Potential Anticancer Properties

The polysaccharide content of shiitake mushrooms may have an anticancer effect. For instance, there is a polysaccharide called lentinan that helps fight tumors by activating the immune system.

Studies prove that lentinan can inhibit the growth and spread of leukemia cells.

An injectable form of lentinan is used in China and Japan alongside chemotherapy and other cancer treats to improve immune function and quality of life in individuals with gastric cancer.

Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether consuming shiitake mushrooms has any effect on cancer.

Additional Benefits

Here are a few additional perks of shiitake medicinal mushroom supplements.

Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects

Various compounds in shiitake have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Due to the growth in antibiotic resistance in humans, many scientists think it is vital to explore the antimicrobial potential of this mushroom.

May Improve Bone Integrity

Mushrooms happen to be the only natural herbal source of vitamin D. The body needs this nutrient to build strong bones, but only a handful of foods contain it.

Now, the vitamin D content of mushrooms vary depending on how they are grown. Exposure to UV light develops higher levels of this compound.

Cooking with Shiitake

Mushrooms have a distinct umami taste, which can be quite useful when making vegetarian dishes.

Shiitake mushrooms are usually sold dried. If you are going to try them, soak them in water to soften them before cooking.

The best specimens are the ones sold whole instead of sliced. Look at the caps – they should be thick with deep, white gills.

Before you cook them, remove the stems because they remain tough even after cooking. Keep the stems in your refrigerator to make vegetable stock.

To Conclude

Why are shiitake mushrooms good for you? The answer is self-explanatory, considering the fact that this fungus has been in use for a very long time.

Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories but contain large quantities of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds.

Overall, they can be an excellent addition to your diet. You can also incorporate shiitake supplements. If you wish to learn more about functional mushrooms, check out our blog on maitake mushroom vs shiitake and other topics.

Also Read: Benefits of King Trumpet Mushrooms