Increase Health by Eating More Edible Mushrooms
Increase Health by Eating More Edible Mushrooms
Since ancient times, people have valued "dietary therapy over medicinal therapy." Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes prevention of epidemics not solely through drugs, but through proper nutrition and dietary adjustment to strengthen the foundation. Using food for disease prevention and treatment has a long history in China, particularly edible mushrooms.
Edible mushrooms refer to consumable fungi—delicious in taste, rich in nutrition, and possessing certain medicinal effects. Among them, reishi, lion’s mane, caterpillar fungus, enoki, shiitake, and grifola are especially effective in enhancing human immunity—this is widely recognized by domestic and international medical experts.
Using mushrooms for treatment was recorded as early as the Han Dynasty, and included in the Ming Dynasty's *Compendium of Materia Medica*. Renowned cardiovascular expert Hong Zhaoguang proposed the ten-word principle for rational diet: "One, two, three, four, five; red, yellow, green, white, black"—where "black" refers to black fungus. Consuming 5–10g black fungus daily effectively reduces blood viscosity. Mushrooms are high-protein, low-fat, low-calorie, and low-salt—perfect for the modern "high-protein, low-fat, low-calorie, low-salt" health food trend. Famous nutritionist Stanton gave a comprehensive evaluation of mushroom nutritional value in 1984, stating that mushrooms embody all desirable qualities of food and calling them "one of the most ideal foods for the future." Modern medical research shows that mushrooms contain all eight essential amino acids, 14 vitamins, various minerals, and polysaccharides—offering functions such as nourishing yin and yang, boosting qi and activating blood, enhancing brain function, strengthening the heart, and prolonging life.
Additionally, mushrooms lower serum cholesterol, improve microcirculation, enhance oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, and boost liver detoxification. Regular consumption comprehensively regulates physiological functions, promotes metabolism, enhances immunity, delays aging—making them ideal health foods. Furthermore, mushrooms increase the activity of intracellular enzymes—thus regular intake boosts immunity and relieves nervous tension. As autumn chill sets in, besides staying warm and exercising regularly, consider adding mushrooms to your meals to boost health.