Mushrooms are useful in treating disorders of the Immune System, the Heart and Circulatory System, the Nervous System and the Respiratory System.
Mushrooms can be used to treat disorders like High blood pressure, liver diseases, asthma, depressed immune function, depression and anxiety and are used in treating cancer.
Extremely low in calories, a scant 55 per 100g, (unless you choose to dip them in batter and deep fry them which is a different story), they also contain B vitamins, and lots of potassium. They have also been found to contain more Antioxidants than carrots or tomatoes.
But it’s their Vitamin B12 content which is extraordinary. Most textbooks state that mushrooms do not contain this vital vitamin, but the most up to date research reveals that mushrooms contain between 0.32 and 0.65 micrograms per gram of fresh mushroom. Two or three button mushrooms, or one reasonable sized field mushroom will supply all you need of B12 for an entire day, which is vital for vegetarians and even more so for vegans, as other plant sources of B12 are very limited.
The same is true for Vitamin E which is listed as zero in most textbooks. Again, modern research reveals that most mushrooms are a rich source of this essential nutrient, 100g providing more than the minimum daily requirement.
Mushrooms can be cooked in a number of different ways, but are also at their most nutritious when eaten raw in salads - wash, peel or brush before use, specially if you collect them from the countryside - and make sure you identify them correctly.
Nutrients
Mushrooms are excellent for vegetarians and vegans as part of a meat-free diet.