The relationship between human beings and medicinal mushroom superfoods goes back a long way. They have been used for healing purposes for thousands of years.
Medicinal mushroom superfoods in Chinese medicine
Its health benefits are long known, and in Asia, it is used as a medicine for wellness and longevity. In Chinese medicine, in medical texts from the year 100 a. C., talks about medicinal mushroom superfoods and their therapeutic use to cure respiratory diseases, inflammatory conditions, nervous system and cancer.
What superfoods are full of fiber and has almost no cholesterol?
Humans have benefited from the properties of this product since our inception. not just like food, but also as a drug, so it is very likely that it has helped save many lives. This food, which contains almost no cholesterol, but does contain a large amount of fiber, are mushrooms.
The mushroom superfoods have been with us since the first steps of humanity, serving as food, as a natural remedy, but also to take lives. It is a superfood that is gaining more and more followers among nutritionists, for being totally compatible with a diet healthy.
Humanity increasingly requires more and more mushroom superfoods, and the lack of meat products, rich in protein. That is why mushrooms are gaining more and more popularity, since they are foods with a huge amount of fiber and proteins good. Moreover, they contain almost no cholesterol, so their consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How many types of mushroom superfoods are there?
There are two main groups of mushroom superfoods : ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. Ascomycetes are normally single-celled organisms like yeast or filamentous like mold. The basidiomycetes are the ones that produce the fruitful, such as superfoods or boletus.
To the former, the ascomycetes, we owe products as important as bread or wine. That is why they have been especially studied in recent years, given the possibility that they contain many other benefits unknown Within the acomycetros there are some antibiotics such as penicillin (Penicllium notatum) or cyclosporine (Tolypocladium inflatum).
However, it is well known that not all types of mushroom superfoods, and other similar microorganisms are beneficial. Some are capable of causing serious infections in humans and we must avoid them at all costs.
Types of medicinal mushroom superfoods
Of all the medicinal mushroom superfoods included in the treatises, Reishi Supplement ( Ganoderma lucidum ) is the one that has a more significant role for its medicinal properties, especially for its antitumor capacity. The same is true for the maitake ( Grifola frondosa ), highly valued for its medicinal properties in ancient Japan. In Mesoamerican culture, for the Mayans, Incas, Aztecs and Olmecs, mushrooms, both for their medicinal and shamanic properties, played a fundamental role for medical and spiritual purposes.
Medicinal mushroom superfoods are gaining ground for their incredible ability to heal
Mushroom Chaga Supplement ( Inonotus obliquus ) has been used in North America and Siberia since time immemorial, and its use has been documented since the 16th century. Currently, the growing interest in functional medicine and nutrition has once again valued these extraordinary mushroom superfoods. Mushroom superfoods are gaining traction for their incredible ability to heal. ‘s mane ( Hericium erinaceus ), reishi, shiitake ( Lentinula edodes), maitake, chaga, turkey tail or kawaratake ( Trametes versicolor ), and cordyceps mushrooms offer abundant health benefits.
Groups of mushroom superfoods
The Groups of mushroom superfoods is one of the most diverse groups of organisms that exist on the planet. It is made up of more than 611,000 different species, including yeasts, molds and mushroom superfoods-producing organisms. They are eukaryotic organisms that are classified in a different plants, animals and protists. They are neither plants nor animals, but they share essential characteristics with them. According to their ecology they are classified into four groups: saprophytic, lichenized, mycorrhizal and parasitic.
They are neither plants nor animals, but share essential characteristics with them.
Saprophytes
Saprophytes feed on the residues from other organisms, such as dead leaves, organic debris and excrement, playing an important ecological role as decomposers.
Lichens
Lichens are symbiotic organisms that arise from the association between a mushroom superfoods and an algae or a cyanobacterium.
Mycorrhizal
Mycorrhizae originate from the symbiosis between a mushroom superfoods and the roots of a plant. The chanterelle ( Lactarius deliciosus ) is a tasty representative of the group.
Parasites
Finally, there are the parasitic mushroom superfoods, which are those that develop their life cycle on living tissues, whatever their origin. The Chaga Supplement is an example, as it parasitizes white birch.
Read also: Why magic mushroom is a recommended food
Beneficial Active Compounds
Mushroom superfoods contain a wide range of effective active compounds from which to benefit. They are beta-glucans, triterpenes, ergosterol, glycoproteins, enzymes and antioxidants.
Betaglucanos
Beta-glucans are long chains of polysaccharides with medicinal activity. They are structural components of the cell walls of superfoods. They activate and enhance the immune system, being effective against allergies, asthma and chronic fatigue syndrome. Shiitake and maitake mushroom superfoods are especially rich in this polysaccharide.
Triterpenos
Triterpenes are hydrocarbon molecules. Along with beta-glucans and proteoglycans, they play a fundamental role in activating the immune system. Its main action includes liver protection, antioxidant, hypotensive, antihistamine, anticholesterolemic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity.
Triterpenes are related to anticancer activity. The reishi mushroom superfood is especially rich in these active compounds, highlighting the so-called ganoderic acids, which are compounds specific to that genus.
Ergosterol
Ergosterol, or provitamin D, is a sterol present in all superfoods as it forms part of their cell membranes. It shows immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, and has antiviral and antitumor action.
Glycoproteins
Glycoproteins, or proteoglycans, are linear peptide chains linked to beta-glucan chains. Its function is immunomodulatory and antitumor, and its action is more powerful than that of beta-glucans.
Enzymes are of three types
There are antioxidants, tumor proliferation limiters and liver enzymes. Antioxidant enzymes, such as Super Oxide Dismutase, act by neutralizing free radicals. Cell proliferation-limiting enzymes, such as proteases and glucose oxidase, block tumor growth and prevent metastasis. Liver enzymes, such as peroxidase and cytochrome p450, have an important detoxifying action.
There are three types of enzymes: antioxidants, tumor proliferation limiters, and liver enzymes.
They are rich in antioxidants such as glutathione, a protein tripeptide made up of three amino acids, glutamate, cysteine and glycine, and ergothioneine, a natural amino acid derived from histidine. Its effects are especially noticeable in the liver. They protect the body against infections and have antitumor properties.
Other amazing functions and uses of mushroom superfoods
Another of the functions of superfood is that they are capable of decomposing the animal and vegetable matter around them in order to feed themselves. They are the ones that achieve the geological accumulation of carbon deposits and convert them into fossil fuels. It is an essential biomass recycling job for our planet.
In addition, as we have already mentioned, mushrooms could become one of the superfoods of the future, thanks to their proteins. They also serve as a much more ecological alternative to leather, and already convince great designers. This is the case of Stella McCartney, who recently presented a fashion line based on vegan leather obtained from mushroom superfoods.
Benefits of medicinal mushroom superfoods
Mushroom superfoods are extraordinarily beneficial for health. It stimulate the immune system. Mushroom superfoods have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Its concentration of statins promotes heart health, reducing blood cholesterol levels. They improve chronic fatigue syndrome and increase energy levels. Superfoods increase memory, cognitive functioning and brain health. They have a hypoglycemic effect against diabetes, reducing and regulating blood sugar levels. Mushroom superfoods anti-inflammatory action relieves asthma and allergies, and inhibits the release of histamine. They are effective in fighting cancer and tumors.
