The power of mushrooms is impressive, with benefits encompassing boosted immunity, increased energy, enhanced mood and more. Not a surprise that you’ve been seeing them on the shelves in more and more places recently. The plant-based eating movement is no doubt helping drive demand, spurred on by dual concerns for the environment and our personal health.

Mushrooms are not allowed on the low-calorie phase of the HCG Diet (Phase 2) but for maintenance (Phase 3) and beyond (Rest of Your Life), huge benefits from eating mushrooms can be yours!

Antioxidants to Lower Stress

Mushrooms contain high levels of two antioxidants, ergothioneine and glutathione. In fact, mushrooms are the highest dietary source for ergothioneine.These two antioxidants, when both are present, help to protect the body from physiological stress. This stress is a major cause of visible signs of aging, meaning those wrinkles.

Protection for Your Brain

The same two antioxidants just mentioned were reported to help in the prevention of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Some experts recommend eating mushrooms daily to take advantage of this protection as you age.

One variety of mushroom, lion’s mane, can help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of dementia in older adults. Two compounds in the mushroom, hericenones and erinacines, are said to provide this protection, as well as protection against Alzheimer’s found in animal studies. The plaques that cause Alzheimer’s that build up in older brains are believed to be reduced with regular consumption of lion’s mane. Also,eating two ¾ cup servings of cooked mushrooms each week may help to reduce your risk of mild cognitive decline.

Healthy Heart Maintenance and Blood Pressure Control

Though incredibly low in sodium, using mushrooms in cooking reduces the need for salt because they contain a salty substitute, glutamate ribonucleotides. These compounds add a savory taste that takes the place of extra salt. Mushrooms provide protein and can replace the need for red meat in many dishes. Mushrooms are extremely low in fat, calories, and cholesterol.

More Energy

Mushrooms help the body to use energy from the other foods you consume. They do this through high levels of B vitamins, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. They help the body to produce red blood cells for more oxygen in the blood.

Bone Health

Good bone health and strength are enhanced through the consumption of vitamin D. As little as 3 ounces of mushrooms can provide the daily requirement of vitamin D. The catch is that you must buy mushrooms labeled as UVB. This means that they were exposed to sunlight during their growing cycle, as opposed to mushrooms grown completely in the dark.