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Enjoyable truth: I’ve a complete basket of mushroom coffees and drinks on my espresso bar. One of many powerhouse mushrooms you’ll discover in there may be maitake.
This humble mushroom can be referred to as “hen of the woods.” Its overlapping fronds resemble the feathers of a nesting hen, therefore the title. Over the centuries, maitake’s many advantages have sparked the curiosity of researchers and well being lovers alike. Not solely is it a medicinal mushroom, however its scrumptious umami taste makes it a prized culinary ingredient.
What Are Maitake Mushrooms?
The maitake mushroom, often known as Grifola frondosa, is an edible mushroom native to China. It additionally grows within the mountains of northeastern Japan, Europe, North America, and different elements of Asia. Apart from hen of the woods, one other widespread title for this mushroom is “sheep’s head.”
“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The title supposedly comes from individuals dancing for pleasure upon discovering it. Folks have recognized for hundreds of years how helpful one of these mushroom is. It’s one of many mushroom varieties thought-about a “medicinal mushroom.” Maitake has a protracted historical past of each culinary and medicinal use: “Let meals be thy drugs.”
Vitamins in Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms are a wonderful supply of amino acids, B nutritional vitamins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium. Additionally they present dietary fiber to feed helpful intestine micro organism. Their cell partitions are wealthy in anti-inflammatory beta-glucans that assist assist the immune system.
Vitamin D
Maitake mushrooms are a pure supply of vitamin D, however the quantity can range because of rising situations, solar publicity, and maturity. When Maitake mushrooms are uncovered to daylight or ultraviolet (UV) mild throughout their development, they will synthesize vitamin D. It’s form of like what human pores and skin does when uncovered to daylight. The kind of vitamin D present in fungi is D2 relatively than D3.
Phosphorus
Maitake mushrooms even have phosphorus. Our physique makes use of this important mineral for plenty of completely different physiological processes. A couple of examples embrace bone well being, vitality metabolism, cell membrane construction, and DNA/RNA synthesis.
Potassium
Potassium is current in most crops and fungi and is essential for the human weight loss plan. This important mineral performs an vital function in sustaining well being, together with fluid stability.
Together with sodium and magnesium, potassium is an electrolyte. These parts carry an electrical cost and are concerned in 1000’s of a number of crucial processes. Past its function in fluid stability, it helps nerve operate, muscle operate, and coronary heart well being.
Therapeutic Advantages of Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushroom has gained consideration for its potential well being advantages.
It has many bioactive compounds, together with polysaccharides, beta-glucans, antioxidants, and different phytonutrients. These compounds doubtless contribute to its medicinal properties, making it a sought-after mushroom.
Immune-Supporting
Medicinal mushrooms are recognized for supporting the immune system. Maitake mushrooms aren’t any exception. Like different medicinal mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms comprise beta-glucans. These mushroom-based polysaccharides assist assist a wholesome immune response. Polysaccharides usually are advanced carbohydrates made up of smaller sugar molecules. These sugars could assist a wide range of processes that make the physique extra resilient.
A 2014 animal research regarded on the immune-enhancing impact of each maitake and shiitake mushrooms. The researchers discovered maitake mushrooms stimulated an intense immune response. Nonetheless, they labored synergistically with shiitake for a stronger impact. The mushroom mix was essentially the most highly effective, whereas the maitake alone got here in at an in depth second.
Present Most cancers Assist
As a result of they’re good at modulating the immune system, maitake mushrooms could assist the physique in preventing towards most cancers. Analysis exhibits the beta-glucans in maitake have an antitumor immune response. In some scientific research, maitake blocked tumor development in mice.
The beta-glucans could improve the exercise of particular immune cells, reminiscent of pure killer (NK) cells and macrophages. These cells play a vital function in figuring out and destroying most cancers cells. By supporting immune operate, maitake mushrooms could assist our means to fight most cancers.
One other manner maitake mushrooms may help with most cancers is by selling apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell loss of life that eliminates broken or irregular cells (like most cancers cells). Some research recommend maitake mushroom extracts may induce apoptosis in bladder and breast most cancers cells.
A promising extract is maitake D-fraction, which is out there in complement kind. Vitamin C enhances the motion of each D-fraction and MD-fraction maitake mushroom extracts.
Maitake mushrooms shouldn’t essentially change different most cancers remedies. Nonetheless, they will complement different therapies. All the time observe the medical recommendation of a healthcare skilled you belief.
Could Stability Ldl cholesterol Ranges
One other manner Maitake mushrooms could assist push back continual sickness is by balancing levels of cholesterol. Whereas LDL (low-density lipoprotein) ldl cholesterol is sometimes called “dangerous” ldl cholesterol, it’s not fairly so easy. Lipoprotein skilled Dr. Cromwell explains extra right here on this podcast episode. Different well being components (particularly insulin resistance) play an enormous function in our levels of cholesterol.
Maitake’s antioxidants can also scale back oxidative stress and irritation. As irritation decreases, there’s much less accumulation of ldl cholesterol within the arteries. The result’s safety towards coronary heart illness.
Could Scale back Blood Stress
Discovering methods to devour maitake repeatedly could scale back hypertension. In a single animal research, researchers gave maitake extract to rats and decreased age-related hypertension. The researchers have been shocked to search out the D-fraction extract additionally improved insulin sensitivity. This might assist clarify why maitake additionally helps with ldl cholesterol stability.
In an older animal research (1989), researchers fed maitake mushrooms to rats for eight weeks. On the finish of the research, blood strain, triglycerides, and levels of cholesterol all went down. Maitake mushrooms’ means to decrease these markers implies they could assist scale back the danger of metabolic syndrome and heart problems.
Helps Blood Sugar Stability & Diabetes
A Japanese research examined a powdered maitake fruiting physique on diabetic mice. The maitake mushroom powder had highly effective anti-diabetic properties. The enhancements occurred over 4 months — the period of the research.
One other research regarded on the results on diabetic rats. Feeding this mushroom to the rats improved their glucose tolerance and blood glucose ranges by the top of the research. The researchers concluded that the bioactive compounds within the mushrooms might be able to scale back the signs of diabetes.
Promotes Fertility
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a situation that causes the ovaries to develop cysts round their outer edges. These fluid-filled cysts comprise follicles, however they don’t repeatedly launch eggs. This ends in rare intervals, lack of ovulation, and extra hair development. Ladies with PCOS could produce other hormone-related signs, however essentially the most discouraging one is infertility.
Maitake mushrooms might be able to assist. A 2010 Japanese research adopted girls with PCOS who took both maitake extract or the drug clomiphene citrate. The outcome was that maitake extract induced ovulation for 77% of PCOS sufferers. The mushroom was virtually as efficient because the prescription drug.
Dangers & Precautions of Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms are usually thought-about suitable for eating. They’ve a protracted historical past of culinary and medicinal use in Asian international locations. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to concentrate on potential dangers and negative effects and take obligatory precautions. Listed below are just a few issues for maitake mushrooms:
As a result of maitakes can decrease blood sugar ranges, it’s important to watch out when on blood sugar-lowering medicines. In some instances, maitake lowered blood sugar ranges an excessive amount of, which may result in hypoglycemia.
How you can Use Maitake
Your native grocery retailer could carry contemporary maitake mushrooms within the produce part. If not, you possibly can usually discover dried maitake in a pure meals retailer or on-line. To retailer, maintain maitake mushrooms in a paper bag within the fridge to permit them to “breathe” and soak up extra moisture.
Maitake mushrooms are scrumptious in soups, stir-fries, omelets, and casseroles. You can too get pleasure from them sauteed in butter or olive oil. This hen of the woods can be glorious when paired with an precise hen, like roast rooster. Listed below are some extra methods to get pleasure from Maitake mushrooms:
- Sauteed or Stir-Fried: Cook dinner them in butter or olive oil over medium warmth till tender and barely browned. Use as a aspect dish or add them to salads, rice (risotto), or your favourite kind of pasta.
- Roasted: Roasting maitake mushrooms enhances their taste and creates a pleasant texture. Toss the mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then unfold them out on a baking sheet and roast within the oven till golden brown and crispy on the edges.
- Grilled: Maitake mushrooms are glorious for grilling. Merely brush them with oil and season with salt and pepper. Then grill them till tender and barely charred. Grilled maitake mushrooms make a scrumptious and savory addition to any BBQ or cookout.
- Tea and Broths: Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM) generally makes use of maitake mushrooms in natural teas or broths. These are straightforward methods to get the well being advantages of maitake.
- Mushroom Espresso: You’ll usually discover powdered mushrooms or maitake mushroom extract in mushroom coffees. Take a look at this weblog put up to be taught extra about mushroom espresso.
A Few Ideas For Consuming Maitake
When cooking with Maitake mushrooms, clear them correctly earlier than use. Gently wipe them with a moist fabric or use a mushy brush to take away dust or particles. Keep away from washing them as they soak up water simply. Once they tackle an excessive amount of water, it will probably have an effect on their texture and taste.
Maitake mushrooms can be found contemporary, dried, or in complement kind. In the event you’re utilizing dried Maitake mushrooms, rehydrate them in heat water earlier than cooking to revive their texture and taste. If you’d like the advantages of Maitake mushrooms with out consuming them every day, you will discover them in complement kind. Ideally, they’re standardized to 30% D-fraction.
Maitake and different medicinal mushrooms are a wonderful addition to your well being routine.
What I Do
I repeatedly drink medicinal mushrooms in tasty mushroom “coffees” and teas. The youngsters and I additionally love Four Sigmatic’s scorching chocolate and Golden Chai Latte that includes medicinal mushrooms!
To be taught extra about different kinds of medicinal mushrooms and their advantages see:
Have you ever eaten or taken maitake mushrooms in some kind? What have been your outcomes? Share under!