2 days Ago By David Cox
Rich in plant chemicals and antioxidants , mushrooms are a delicious, nutritious powerhouse that everyone could benefit from eating more of. Low in calories and fat but packed with vitamins, mushrooms are a nutritional force for good and a tasty addition to any plate. Earthy, meaty and comforting, they’re among the most versatile of ingredients you could find in your fridge.
Just as healthy as the ubiquitous avocado – and certainly as good on toast. Sautéed in olive oil and served on sourdough, or stirred into a creamy risotto or ragout, mushrooms are the only non-meat that comes close to a meaty texture, courtesy of the rich umami flavour that makes them unique among plants. They’re a remarkable and varied species, coming in all shapes and sizes – from chestnut to fan-shaped oyster mushrooms – and have long been held to have healing properties, thanks to their high quota of plant chemicals .
As clinical nutritionist Eva Humphries summarises, mushrooms are especially rich in protective antioxidants. “Supermarket mushrooms have the potential to support various aspects of human health via their antioxidant content,” says Humphries. “Specific antioxidants in mushrooms may protect the liver from toxins, the brain from stress or they can give the immune system a leg up against viruses.
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