The immune support benefits of eating shiitake mushrooms are well documented. These mushrooms contain compounds called polysaccharides, which help jump-start the immune system, according to previous research published in the Nutrition Journal. Now, more promising evidence from a University of Florida study confirms that shiitake mushrooms boost the immune system.
An increased immune response was shown in the participants who ate one cooked shiitake mushroom every day for a month.
Shiitake mushrooms hail from Asia and are well known for their culinary use and health promoting benefits.
The 2011 study was led by UF Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Pervical. The research included 52 healthy adults from ages 21 to 41. They were given a month’s supply of dry shiitake mushrooms. They ate one 4-ounce serving of mushrooms every day for four weeks.
After the study, the researchers took blood tests on the participants, and found that gamma delta T-cells functioned better. These cells are involved in human response. They also saw a reduction in inflammatory proteins.
“If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial,” said Percival. “We’re enhancing the immune system, but we’re also reducing the inflammation that the immune system produces,” she added.
The study showing that mushrooms boost the immune system was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.
Turmeric boosts the immune system and fights chronic diseases.
For a mango and ginger immune booster smoothie.
For an immune booster juice.
For an immune booster smoothie.
For an immune booster cayenne pepper smoothie.
REFERENCES:
1. “Mushrooms Boost Immunity.” Newswise. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 16 Apr. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
2. “Consuming Lentinula Edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.” Taylor & Francis. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 11 Apr. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
3. “What Are Shiitake Mushrooms Good For?” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
4. “Gammadelta T Cells.” Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
5. “Immunomodulatory Dietary Polysaccharides: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Nutrition Journal. Nutrition Journal, 18 Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
