Native to East Asia is the Shiitake Mushroom. It’s a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine but also growing in popularity in Western cuisine. An excellent choice with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, shiitake mushrooms have been shown to have many health benefits, including lowering cholesterol. Cholesterol is a type of fat located in the blood, and has two kinds of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol gradually increases in your arteries, likely leading to heart disease and other health problems. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries and protects you from heart disease.
Eritadenine
Shiitake mushrooms contain a chemical compound called eritadenine, which has been shown to lower cholesterol. Eritadenine blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines. Studies have shown that shiitake mushrooms can lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 20%. It also contains beta-glucan, which reduces inflammation and prevents cholesterol absorption by the intestine.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-shiitake-mushrooms
Healthy and Delicious
In addition to eritadenine, shiitake mushrooms contain other compounds that may help lower cholesterol, such as beta-glucan and lentinan. Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber that helps decrease cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the digestive tract. Lentinan is a type of polysaccharide that is known to have anti-cancer and immune-enhancing effects. Shiitake mushrooms are a healthy and delicious way to lower cholesterol. It is low in calories and fat but high in other nutrients essential for good health.
Here’s how to incorporate shiitake mushrooms into your diet.
Add shiitake mushrooms to stir-fries, soups, and salads. Grill shiitake mushrooms as a side dish or appetizer. Stuff the shiitake mushrooms with your favorite toppings. Make shiitake burgers and meatballs. Add shiitake mushrooms to pasta dishes. Blend shiitake mushrooms into smoothies. With some creativity, you can easily include shiitake mushrooms into your diet and profit from the many health benefits of this versatile food.
It’s important to note that shiitake mushrooms are not a silver bullet for high cholesterol. It should be consumed as part of a healthy diet and regular exercise program. If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about how best to treat your condition.
