Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years both as food and for medicinal purposes. They are fungi. There are over 14,000 types of mushrooms,but only 3,000 are edible. Of the 3,000 mushrooms that are edible, 700 have known medicinal properties, and fewer than one percent are recognized as poisonous.
Some people like to pick their own mushrooms. When I was recently at Patrick's Point Park in Humboldt County, I saw signs every where about mushroom picking. A lot of people had signs that they would buy your picked mushrooms on their mailboxes. However, identifying mushrooms can be a real challenge. It is important to properly identify the mushroom that is collected so you are not eating a poisonous species. The Pharaohs prized mushrooms as a delicacy, and the Greeks believed that mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle. The Romans regarded mushrooms as a gift from God and served them only on festive occasions, while the Chinese treasured them as a health food.
Here are some interesting statements about mushrooms and their health benefits:1. Mushrooms contain about 80 to 90 percent water, and are very low in calories (only 100 cal/oz).
2. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium.
3. Mushrooms are a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium.
4. Mushrooms stimulate the immune system, help fight infection, and demonstrates anti-tumor activity.
According to a John's Hopkins study, when ground beef was replaced with sauteed mushrooms people ate 420 fewer calories and 30 grams fewer fat that day, yet reported feeling just as satisfied.
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