Studies show mushrooms contain many health benefits

White button mushrooms may be a perfect diet addition for individuals looking to improve overall health.

A study funded by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) found that eating white button mushrooms has a positive effect in the body. The study used an animal-model and cell-culture to show enhanced activity of critical cells in the immune system.

According to the study, white button mushrooms produce more antiviral and other cell-released proteins while providing protection to tissue. Nearly 90 percent of the mushrooms consumed by Americans are white button mushrooms.

Immune system cells called “dendritic cells” benefit from white button mushrooms as the cell-structure phase of the study showed an enhancement in the maturity of these cells from bone marrow. Dendritic cells produce T cells, which are white blood cells that play a vital role in recognizing and eventually destroying antigens on microbes that invade the immune system.

Experts explain that mushrooms have been utilized as food and herbal medicine for thousands of years.

Containing about 80 to 90 percent water, mushrooms have low calorie, sodium and fat content but are rich in fiber. They are rich in potassium, which is known to help in the reduction of high blood pressure and also to minimize the risk of stroke. Mushrooms also have high contents of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium.