5 incredible health benefits of Oyster Mushrooms

Mushrooms are quickly growing a reputation for being a bit of a superfood.  And there is a huge amount of data to show that that reputation is well founded!

They are packed full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which have some truly incredible impacts on your health.

Oster mushrooms, in particular, are a mushroom that packs a real punch when it comes to health benefits.

They’re also incredibly tasty too, which makes them a bit of an all-around champion.

Let’s gets get to know oyster mushrooms a little bit better and see just what we are talking about…

What are Oyster Mushrooms?

Oyster mushrooms are one of the most popular wild edible mushrooms around the world and are now also widely cultivated. 

They are particularly popular in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cooking, though they are quickly becoming a staple all over due to their delicious taste, their incredible health benefits, and their ideal placing as a meat substitute.

There are actually many varieties of oyster mushroom including king oyster, pink oyster, phoenix oyster, golden oyster, to name a few.

The Health Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms have been a cornerstone of Chinese medicine for centuries.  Scientific research is in the process of catching up with these ancient practices and is uncovering the incredible benefits eating oyster mushrooms has on our health and wellbeing. 

Let’s break down some of these benefits:

1. Immune boosting

Oyster mushrooms are incredibly good at protecting your immune system from short and long-term illnesses.

Because of their beta-glucans, they help balance your immune system rather than boost or suppress it, which is important.

They are also full of antioxidants which protect against free radical damage in the body.

• Great for your heart

Oyster mushrooms are great at protecting your heart.  They have no cholesterol and are a perfect meat substitute. 

They also have a high vitamin D content (especially if you “tan” them in the sun for a few minutes) which is essential for regulating your blood pressure.

On top of that, they also have ergothioneine which is an amino acid that does an incredible job of protecting the heart.  They prevent the build-up of plaque and may also lower your cholesterol.

• Great for your bones

Oyster mushrooms have high levels of vitamin D and magnesium which are great, if not essential for bone health.  

• Great for your brain

Ergothioneine also has some other incredible properties for helping defend against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

• Anti-Cancer properties

The beta glutens in oyster mushrooms are fantastic antioxidants that may protect against cancer.  In fact, a study exploring just that has found that oyster mushrooms inhibit the growth of colon and breast cancer in particular.

All in all oyster mushrooms are pretty incredible. 

They also taste amazing too!  Don’t believe us, try this little recipe and see for yourself…

Sauteed oyster mushrooms on garlic bread

This may sound simple but it is a wonderfully tasty dish that really lets the natural meaty umami flavors from the mushroom shine.  It’s also super quick and easy to whip up which is always a plus!

Ingredients

100g Oyster Mushrooms

1 tsp Soy sauce/tamari

1 garlic clove

2 slices rustic bread

Dash of olive oil

Instructions

1. Toast a couple of slices of your crusty bread.  Then wipe with oil and gently rub with the garlic clove.  This will give you a lovely fresh garlic bread.
2. Add a splash of oil to the pan and heat at a medium/high temperature
3. Add the mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the mushrooms soften add your soy sauce or tamari to the pan and stir for another minute.  Make sure to mix the mushrooms well, you want them all to get that extra umami kick.
5. Serve your mushroom on top of your garlic bread and enjoy!

Simple, quick, and delicious.

Oyster mushrooms really are a tremendously delicious treat, and so good for you.  Why not give them a try by heading on over to here, or please feel free to get in touch.