Have you noticed the hype around mushrooms these past few years? More people are foraging for them, using them for medicinal purposes, and they seem to be popping up on menus everywhere. In the vegan world, oyster mushrooms have replaced dishes such as fried chicken and scallops; and portobellos and lion’s mane as steaks and burgers. Adaptogenic substances have highlighted mushrooms in a whole new way. Adaptogens are basically plants that adapt to what your body needs and help you respond to ailments such as stress, anxiety, and fatigue. There are dozens of adaptogenic mushroom powders on the market that can be added to your smoothies, coffee, or tea. Mushrooms have some pretty powerful health benefits and offer a popular way to add nutrients to your everyday beverages. Chaga mushrooms have been known to be a great source of energy and B vitamins. Cordyceps are said to promote immunity support and athletic endurance. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are known to enhance memory, mental clarity, and support the nervous system. We are here for all the reishi rage and maitake madness.
Brain Health
Did you know that 1 in 10 individuals over the age of 65 is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? This number doubles every 10 years until age 85. Mushrooms are incredible brain-nourishing plants. Common varieties such as white buttons and baby bellas are just as nourishing as the more exotic, medicinal options. Use fresh mushrooms or re-hydrate the dried versions. Known to help ward off mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, mushrooms contain anti-inflammatories that can reduce inflammation in blood vessels within the brain. They also provide neuroprotection due to their potent antioxidant properties and they help to moderate levels of lipids and glucose. In addition, mushrooms are a rich source of polysaccharides which have been shown to stimulate immune responses.
Breast Health
If you read our Women’s Health blog post, you know that diet and lifestyle are incredibly important for breast health and the prevention of breast cancer. 87% of women with breast cancer actually have NO first-degree relatives with breast cancer. Mushrooms have powerful flavones which are said to suppress inflammation and are immune-modulating. Similar to soy, mushrooms contain estrogen-blocking compounds. Simple white button mushrooms actually have the highest estrogen blocking abilities out of all of the fancy varieties. Mushrooms are recommended to be eaten cooked as they have a toxin in them called agaritine which can be easily evaporated through the cooking process. A study showed that eating just half of one button mushroom daily was enough to drop the breast cancer rates in Chinese women by 64% compared to same-aged, non-mushroom eaters. Even for men, mushrooms keep testosterone from being converted into estrogens and improve testosterone levels in older men.
Pro-tip
It is recommended to use mushrooms in conjunction with a whole-food, plant-based diet for better protection against Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. 90-95% of breast cancer cases are triggered by diet and lifestyle choices and not by a genetic predisposition. And Alzheimer’s disease is also not exclusively genetic. Glucose and energy dysregulation, inflammation, lipid dysregulation, and oxidation represent 90% of what determines the disease progression.
Mushrooms at P.S. & Co.
Organic French Bread Pizza - Made with a new and improved sweet potato crust, fresh tomato sauce, miso cashew cheese, and roasted mushrooms.
Organic Meatball & Roasted Cauliflower Pizza - Made with our sweet potato crust, fresh tomato sauce, miso cashew cheese, caramelized onions, green onions, cauliflower, and house-made mushroom meatballs.
Organic Mushroom Scallion Savory Scone
Organic Forbidden Bowl - Our Forbidden Grain Bowl with forbidden rice, chimichurri, rawcho cheese, roasted mushrooms, bell pepper, sautéed lacinato kale, and miso cashew cheese.
Organic Ramen (when available)
Cites:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7525158/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5152545/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6732875/
https://www.vibrantbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/FRS19-Kristi-Funk-MD-Interview-Transcript.pdf
