4 Health Benefits Of Mushrooms For Skin, Hair, And Health

Mushrooms are edible fungi that are present in diverse shapes, colors, and a meaty texture. These exotic ingredients are becoming kitchen staples worldwide while appealing to the masses with the neutral flavors that make it the perfect choice for any recipe. Mushroom has been a benefactor, even in ancient Rome. These nutrient-rich ingredients could bring lots of benefits to skin, hair, and health.

Here we explore four incredible benefits of mushrooms.

1. It Can Fight Age Signs

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One of the most sought after benefits of mushrooms for skin health is towards fighting age signs. The skin is among the body’s first organs to begin exhibiting aging signs that include wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation.

Several factors, including stress and environmental parameters such as increased pollution levels, exposure to UV rays, toxic chemicals from skincare products, could accelerate skin aging. But the use of potent fungi such as mushrooms can provide the necessary nutrients to fight these signs and bring youthful radiance.

Mushrooms are a rich source of two antioxidants, glutathione, and ergothioneine. For example, magic mushrooms have powerful de-stressing properties. They aid in fighting the effects of oxidative stress that induce early age signs. Mushrooms can thus help to keep the skin well-nourished and young and reduce the intensity of cognitive impairment in seniors as per studies. Regular use of mushrooms through infused edibles like Scooby Snacks can influence good skin health.

A particular type of mushroom known as Kombucha has gained attention recently for its benefits towards weight loss, digestive health, and skin benefits. Studies indicate that topical use of kombucha could reduce glycation where excess sugar binds with the skin causing it to become brittle. Reishi mushrooms are yet another beneficial variety that can provide optimum levels of antioxidants for the skin. These varieties can decrease the chances of developing wrinkles and fine lines and enhance the skin’s health from within.

2. It Helps With Weight Loss

Mushrooms are a versatile choice of ingredients to include in your diet for effective weight loss. Individuals have difficulty while cutting down portions during weight loss as they end up with cravings and hunger pangs.  But the use of potent ingredients such as mushrooms helps deliver the necessary calories that help to skip cravings and add bulk to your diet to keep you energized all day.

A cup of mushrooms provides about 18 calories, which will keep you satisfied for longer. It has extremely low carbohydrates, making it easy to balance blood glucose levels and a negligible amount of fat that makes it the perfect choice to munch between meals. The presence of vitamin B aids several metabolic reactions in the body. It provides enough macronutrients to produce energy that can help you work out the extra kilos. They are also rich in fiber that improves digestion to support weight loss.

You can add mushrooms to your main meal or make simple mushroom snacks such as grilled mushrooms to enjoy between meals to cope with your hunger while eliminating unhealthy snacks or fried foods.

The fungi are rich in antioxidant ergothioneine that protects the body from free radical damage and its effects. Mushrooms are also the perfect diet choice for diabetics who are prone to falling prey to infections. The natural enzymes of the organism help break down starch and sugar and enhance the functioning of the endocrine glands and the immune system.  Therefore, it helps cope with diabetes and protects the body from foreign bodies that could induce infections and diseases.

4. It Enhances Hair Health

Hair requires a spectrum of vital nutrients that not only promote growth but are also responsible for the texture, look, and luster. Deficiency of nutrients coupled with harsh chemicals, heat treatments, illness, unhealthy lifestyle, infections, dandruff can also influence the health and wellness of your hair follicles. Mushrooms are a rich source of diverse nutrients that contribute to enhancing hair health. They are enriched with antioxidants, copper, selenium, and vitamin D, each of which helps to strengthen hair follicles and fight damage.

Mushroom is rich in iron, which helps to fight anemia or deficiency of iron to support hair follicles. The presence of copper helps to enhance the absorption of iron in the body. Copper also promotes melanin production that imparts gorgeous black pigment to the hair. The perfect balance of copper and iron in mushrooms helps to achieve long, thick, and healthy hair.

Selenium plays an important role in encouraging hair growth and fighting common problems that affect hair and scalp, such as dandruff. The mineral helps to eliminate the effects of oxidative stress and free radical damage that tends to influence the immune system. It also fights scalp infection or fungi such as Malassezia and dry scalp. A combination of zinc and selenium can prevent hair loss as well.

Conclusion

Mushroom is a superfood that can provide several benefits. It has a lovely flavor and is quite easy to cook as well. You can add mushrooms to your regular recipes and also explore a few other alternative means of harnessing its benefits, such as through infused topicals. Relishing the fungi could support good health and happy life.

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