What is the health benifit of mushrooms?!
What is the health benifit of mushrooms?
We're talking grocery store mushrooms, kids. ;) I always feel oober healthy for eating them, but what do they actually do for you??
Answers:
Portabella and crimini mushrooms rank with carrots, green beans, red peppers and broccoli as good sources of dietary antioxidants. One study measured the activity of two antioxidants, polyphenols and ergothioneine, present in mushrooms, using the ORAC assay and HPLC instrumentation. Portabella mushrooms had an ORAC value of 9.7 micromoles of trolox equivalents per gram and criminis had an ORAC value of 9.5.
By comparison, carrots and green beans have an ORAC value of 5; red pepper 10; and broccoli 12.
The ORAC assay is the most well known test of antioxidant capacity. It focuses on the peroxyl radical, the most predominate in the human body. Free radicals, such as the peroxyl radical, are thought to play a role in the aging process and in many diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's and atherosclerosis.
The ORAC values indicate that mushrooms are potent antioxidant sources. The portabella and crimini mushrooms have the highest ORAC values. White button mushrooms have an ORAC value of 6.9, above tomato, green pepper, pumpkin, zucchini, carrot and green beans.