Maitake Mushrooms, Diabetes and Cholesterol

The standard advice when it comes to a healthy diet is to include more vegetables and fruits. But when most people hear this phrase, mushrooms are not something that comes to their mind. Somehow we seem to neglect to include mushrooms in our usual diet. Perhaps mushrooms have not found the way to our typical cuisine, or maybe we do not have the habit to include them. Whatever the reason it is actually unfortunate. It is sad because most mushrooms are very nutritious and medicinal at the same time. One such mushroom is the maitake mushroom. Have you heard about this mushroom? Read on, to find out more.

More About the Maitake Mushroom

The name maitake means dancing mushroom. Also, this mushroom is known by the name hen of the woods and sheep's head. The maitake is actually an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body in combating any kind of physical or mental difficulty. The adaptogens regulate the unbalanced systems of the body. Although we can use maitake in recipes for extra taste, it is actually a medicinal mushroom as well. The maitake grows wild in parts of North America, Japan, and China. This mushroom grows at the bottom of Maple, Oak, and Elm trees. People who know this mushroom are praising it for its promises of longevity, health, and vitality.

Health Benefits of Maitake Mushroom

Diabetes

According to a 2015 study, the maitake mushroom has positive effects on rats that have type 2 diabetes. In this study, this mushroom had a positive impact on sugar levels. Furthermore, based on several studies extracts from maitake mushrooms have been shown to protect against diabetes. For instance, one research focused on the ability of the extracts of the mushroom to obstruct alpha-glucosidase. The alpha-glucosidase is an enzyme that breaks simple sugars and starch into glucose. By obstructing this enzyme, the absorption of sugar slows down. Furthermore, many oral diabetes drugs are actually alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.

Cholesterol

Web MD maitake powdered extract can help lower cholesterol levels. Also, it was shown that this extract could increase the fatty acids which provide energy. For that reason, the researchers note that consuming maitake mushrooms might help keep the arteries healthy.

Other Health Benefits

One 2013 study notes that maitake D-Fraction might be useful when it comes to treating and preventing breast cancer. According to the researchers, this mushroom can combat the reproduction and growth of cancerous cells. In addition, the maitake mushroom might be useful in treating immune function, flu, cold, and blood pressure. These mushrooms are abundant in amino acids, antioxidants, beta-glucans, minerals, vitamin C, vitamin B, fiber, copper, and potassium. Furthermore, they are cholesterol-free, low-sodium, fat-free, and low-calorie. There are many reasons why we should include this mushroom in our diet. Read on to learn how.

How to Add the Maitake Mushroom to our Diet

Adding maitake to our food is very simple, we just add them to any food in which we would usually include mushrooms. We can add them to soup, stir-fry, omelets, salad, pizza, pasta, etc. Also, we can fry them in butter or grill them. Maitake has an earthy, strong taste. Therefore, try one before you add the mushroom to your dish.

Word of Caution

In case somebody has diabetes, make sure to consult the doctor before including the maitake mushroom in the diet. We should know that the maitake might have an impact on our blood glucose. In addition, it might lower the blood pressure, therefore, consult the doctor in case of hypotension. And in case of an autoimmune disease, pregnancy, or breastfeeding make, sure to consult your doctor before consuming this mushroom.

Watch the video below to learn more about this mushroom.