A new review suggests mushrooms might be more than just a tasty addition to meals. Researchers looked at various studies to see how mushrooms could impact heart, metabolic, and immune health.
Mushrooms are often thought of as vegetables, but they’re actually fungi packed with nutrients. Eating them has been linked to higher levels of important vitamins and minerals without adding many calories or unhealthy fats.
The review examined 22 human studies to see how mushrooms might improve health markers like cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation. Chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, continue to be top health threats globally. The researchers hoped that adding mushrooms to our diets could help tackle these issues in a simple way.
One interesting finding was that incorporating mushrooms into diets often led to lower triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease if levels are too high. Some studies also pointed to potential benefits in blood sugar control, especially when mushrooms were part of an overall healthy eating pattern.
However, results about other health markers like cholesterol and blood pressure were mixed. While some trials indicated slight improvements, others didn’t find any significant effects. A few studies hinted at mushrooms boosting immune response, but the researchers stressed that more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Mushrooms are generally safe to eat, with no reported negative effects from consumption in the studies reviewed. Interestingly, the average American eats only about four grams of mushrooms daily, far less than what was studied. This raises questions about whether typical intake can provide the same health benefits.
Experts agree that while mushrooms show promise, more extensive and well-designed studies are crucial to fully understand their potential health effects. The researchers are calling for larger trials with standardized mushroom types and clearer dosage guidelines.
This study was published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2025, highlighting the need for ongoing research in the field of nutrition.
For further reading on health benefits related to plant-based diets, check out this FDA report on Nutrition.
In summary, adding more mushrooms to your meals could be a tasty and simple way to support your health, but ongoing research will help clarify their benefits and the best ways to consume them.
Source link
diet trends,food drink,lifestyle,food,heart health
