23 August 2021

Mushrooms and Cancer Risk

Eating more mushrooms may lower your risk of developing certain cancers, breast cancers in particular. A recent meta-analysis done at Penn State and published in the journal Advances in Nutrition suggests that daily consumption of mushrooms was associated with a 45% lower risk of cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms at all. Eating only 18 grams of mushrooms daily (roughly 1/4 cup) was enough to be protective.

Mushrooms are high in antioxidants and vitamins. “Mushrooms are the highest known dietary source of ergothioneine, which is a unique and potent antioxidant and cellular protector,” said Djibril M. Ba, a graduate student in epidemiology at Penn State College of Medicine. “Replenishing antioxidants in the body may help protect against oxidative stress and lower the risk of cancer.”

All mushrooms contain these nutrients but shitaki, oyster and miatake mushrooms have the highest levels. 

How to eat more musrooms? Chop some up and toss them on a salad. Throw them in sauces and stews. Whip up your  own oriental foods - they use lots of fungi. Here are 30 more ways to put more mushrooms in your diet.

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