Portobello mushroom Benefits & Side Effects

Introduction

Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times for ailments of various diseases. Portobello mushrooms or white button mushrooms scientifically known as  Agaricus bisporus are one of the many traditionally used mushrooms in China, Japan, and South Asia. Portobello mushrooms are native to India, Europe, and North America. A total of 90% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States are portobello mushrooms and are therefore widely cultivated in the world.

What nutrients are present in Portobello mushrooms?

Portobello mushrooms are rich in vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and lipids. According to the USDA nutrient database, 100 g of mushroom contains the following nutrient components (1).

Portobello mushrooms also contain various vitamins like Vitamins A, E, D, K, B12, and B6. The mushrooms are therefore consumed for their rich nutrients and medicinal value.

10 Amazing health benefits of Portobello mushrooms

1. Prevents Breast Cancer

Portobello mushrooms help in the reduction of estrogen levels in the body thus preventing breast cancer. In a study done on women, it was found that a mushroom-rich diet reduces the susceptibility of breast cancer by up to 64%. Those women who take green tea and mushrooms on a regular basis can reduce breast cancer risk by up to 90% (2).

2. Antidiabetic

Portobello mushroom is nutrient-rich and therefore have various types of vitamins like A, D, and B complex, and high dietary fibers. Consuming mushrooms regularly, therefore, helps in reducing and controlling diabetes by lowering blood glucose and cholesterol (4).

3. Healthy Heart

Portobello mushroom help in the prevention of heart-related diseases. This mushroom contains a compound called lovastatin. This compound lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood serum and in the liver and is also anticancer in its activity. This lovastatin compound along with reducing cholesterol also helps in controlling type 2 diabetes (6).

4. Antioxidant property

A study done in the year 2013 shows that portobello mushrooms have strong antioxidant properties. Eating mushrooms, therefore, helps delay or inhibits oxidative damage of the cells of the body and hence protects the body from different types of cancers (5).

5. Rich Source of protein

Protein is the most important compound present in mushrooms. Portabella mushrooms contain about 34 to 44 % protein depending upon the dry weight. Therefore these mushrooms are rich in protein along with other nutrient materials like carbohydrates, fat, sugars, and vitamins and hence serve as an excellent substituent for meat (7).

6. Improves memory

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins for the proper development of the central nervous system. A deficiency of vitamin D causes serious neurological and psychiatric disorders. Portobello mushrooms are rich in dietary vitamin D supplements. Therefore consuming portabella mushrooms helps in keeping the central nervous system healthy (8).

7. Boost immunity

A study done in the year 2008, it has been showing that portabella mushrooms help in enhancing the immune system of the body and contribute to antitumor properties. Portabella mushrooms increase in dendritic cell maturation. Dendritic cells play a very important role in the immune response (9).

8. Stabilize blood pressure

Portabella mushroom is high in potassium and low in sodium. 100 g of mushroom contains 364 mg potassium and 9 mg sodium (1). Potassium helps in stabilizing the blood flow in the body, therefore, helps in maintaining normal blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart-related diseases and hypertension.

9. Smooth bowel movement

Portabella mushroom is rich in dietary fiber. According to the USDA nutrient database per 100 g of mushroom contains 1 g of dietary fiber (1). A healthy person needs 25-30 g of dietary fiber daily. Therefore consuming portabella mushrooms helps in reducing the consti[atinon problems and smoothens bowel movement.

10. Antibacterial and antifungal

Consuming portobello mushrooms helps in controlling many different types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Portabella mushrooms also help in controlling candida species. Therefore these mushrooms have a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal activity (10).

Side effects of Portobello mushrooms

1. Carcinogenic

Can be carcinogenic if consumed uncooked or undercooked because of hydrazine derivative compounds (3).

2. Allergy

Spores of portobello mushrooms may cause skin allergy to respiratory allergy in some people.

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Healthy easy recipe: Portobello mushroom saute (serving one person)

• Take 2 to 3 mushrooms and wash them thoroughly
• Take a pan to add 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3 to 4  garlic cloves
• Soya sauce
• Origami 1 tablespoon
• Spring onion chopped and other vegetables
• Fry the above ingredient for 5 to 7 mins
• Add some water or white wine
• Add the washed portobello mushrooms and covered it for 5 mins and allow to cook
• Open the lid and change the side of the mushroom and again allow to cook for another 5 mins.