Mushrooms are the perfect ingredient to add flavour and texture to many dishes from pastas to veggie burgers and soups. They are also extremely nutrient dense, a good source of fibre, protein, B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals like selenium, calcium, potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus. Depending on where they’re grown, they’re also a non-fortified source of vitamin D, as well as containing high amounts of polyphenols.
Mushrooms have numerous specific antioxidants such as ergothioneine, a sulphur containing compound that can help protect cells and DNA from oxidative processes damage. But what mushrooms may be best known for is as a source of beta-glucans, a type of fibre in their cell walls. Beta-glucans seem to improve insulin resistance, blood cholesterol levels stabilisation and to stimulate the release of certain immune system cells to fight infections and unwanted invaders.