I enjoy edible mushrooms of any type.  They have such a deep flavor.  But, did you know that mushrooms are a medicinal food in Asia?  For a number of diseases, these are the go-to plants for treatment and cures.  When mushrooms are digested they release all kinds of important compounds to your benefit.  Researchers are just starting to understand their properties.

1.  Blood pressure:  Mushrooms contain potassium that is necessary for blood pressure control with or without medication.
2.  Heart disease and diabetes:  Mushrooms are low in fat, high in protein and contain Selenium.  All aid in preventing heart disease.
3.  Brain health:  There is evidence that mushrooms contain compounds that stimulate growth and repair of brain cells both inside and outside the human body (1).
4.  Mushrooms contain polyphenols, compounds that demonstrate activity against cancer,  bacteria, fungi, viruses, and pain (2).

In America, most of us think of single nutrients taken as a vitamin capsule to perform a single function.  This is a marketing ploy, but consider that food consumed (including mushrooms)  contain millions of the compounds working together to improve your health.

Now I will close with my favorite mushroom recipe.  The marinade is from Weber Way to Grill.

Marinade

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons minced shallot

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

6 large portabello mushrooms, cleaned stems and black gills  removed

6  kaiser rolls cut in half

2  ounces arugula, trimmed, rinsed and dried

1.  In a small bowl whisk the marinade ingredients.  Place the mushroom caps gill sides down in a large baking pan.  Brush the mushroom caps generously with the marinade and turn the caps over.  Spoon the rest of the marinade over the gill side.  Allow the mushrooms to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

2.  Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat.

3.  Remove the mushrooms from the pan and reserve the marinade.  Lightly season the mushrooms with salt and pepper.  Brush the cooking grates clean.  Grill the mushrooms, gill sides down over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until they begin to soften, 4-6 minutes.  Brush the cap sides of the mushrooms with some of the remaining marinade from the pan.  Turn the mushrooms over and grill them until they are tender when pierced with a knife, 4-6 minutes.

4.  Grill the rolls, cut sides down over direct medium heat until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds.

5.  Assemble mushroom sandwiches and top with arugula.  Serve warm.

 

1.  Phan et al.  Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Emerging Brain Food for the Mitigation of Brain Diseases.  Journal of Medical Food 2017 Jan 20(1): 1-10.

2.  Jayachandran M et al.  A Critical Review of Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota.  International Journal of Molecular Science.  2017 Sept 8:18(9).

By they way, please feel free to comment, subscribe, or like the article.  You can also e-mail me anytime with questions at gibcar2014@gmail.com.