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Enjoyable truth: I’ve a complete basket of mushroom coffees and drinks on my coffee bar. One of many powerhouse mushrooms you’ll discover in there may be maitake.
This humble mushroom can be known 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 fans 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, also referred to as Grifola frondosa, is an edible mushroom native to China. It additionally grows within the mountains of northeastern Japan, Europe, North America, and different parts of Asia. In addition to hen of the woods, one other frequent title for this mushroom is “sheep’s head.”
“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The title supposedly comes from folks dancing for pleasure upon discovering it. Folks have identified for hundreds of years how useful one of these mushroom is. It’s one of many mushroom varieties thought of a “medicinal mushroom.” Maitake has an extended historical past of each culinary and medicinal use: “Let meals be thy medication.”
Vitamins in Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms are a wonderful supply of amino acids, B nutritional vitamins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition they present dietary fiber to feed useful intestine micro organism. Their cell partitions are wealthy in anti-inflammatory beta-glucans that assist help the immune system.
Vitamin D
Maitake mushrooms are a pure supply of vitamin D, however the quantity can range as a result of rising situations, solar publicity, and maturity. When Maitake mushrooms are uncovered to daylight or ultraviolet (UV) gentle throughout their progress, they’ll synthesize vitamin D. It’s type of like what human pores and skin does when uncovered to daylight. The kind of vitamin D present in fungi is D2 reasonably than D3.
Phosphorus
Maitake mushrooms even have phosphorus. Our physique makes use of this important mineral for plenty of totally different physiological processes. Just a few examples embody 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 eating regimen. This important mineral performs an necessary position in sustaining well being, together with fluid steadiness.
Together with sodium and magnesium, potassium is an electrolyte. These components carry an electrical cost and are concerned in hundreds of a number of essential processes. Past its position in fluid steadiness, it helps nerve perform, muscle perform, 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 other phytonutrients. These compounds probably contribute to its medicinal properties, making it a sought-after mushroom.
Immune-Supporting
Medicinal mushrooms are identified for supporting the immune system. Maitake mushrooms are not any exception. Like different medicinal mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms comprise beta-glucans. These mushroom-based polysaccharides assist help a wholesome immune response. Polysaccharides typically are complicated carbohydrates made up of smaller sugar molecules. These sugars might help 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. Nevertheless, 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 might help the physique in fighting against cancer. Analysis exhibits the beta-glucans in maitake have an antitumor immune response. In some scientific research, maitake blocked tumor progress in mice.
The beta-glucans might improve the exercise of particular immune cells, reminiscent of pure killer (NK) cells and macrophages. These cells play a vital position in figuring out and destroying most cancers cells. By supporting immune perform, maitake mushrooms might assist our potential to fight most cancers.
One other means 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 counsel maitake mushroom extracts may induce apoptosis in bladder and breast cancer 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 substitute different most cancers remedies. Nevertheless, they’ll complement different therapies. At all times observe the medical recommendation of a healthcare skilled you belief.
Might Steadiness Ldl cholesterol Ranges
One other means Maitake mushrooms might assist chase away power 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 knowledgeable Dr. Cromwell explains extra right here in this podcast episode. Different well being components (particularly insulin resistance) play an enormous position 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.
Might Scale back Blood Strain
Discovering methods to devour maitake frequently might scale back hypertension. In a single animal research, researchers gave maitake extract to rats and decreased age-related high blood pressure. The researchers had been stunned to search out the D-fraction extract additionally improved insulin sensitivity. This might assist clarify why maitake additionally helps with ldl cholesterol steadiness.
In an older animal research (1989), researchers fed maitake mushrooms to rats for eight weeks. On the finish of the research, blood stress, triglycerides, and levels of cholesterol all went down. Maitake mushrooms’ potential to decrease these markers implies they could assist scale back the danger of metabolic syndrome and heart problems.
Helps Blood Sugar Steadiness & 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 tip 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 frequently launch eggs. This leads to rare durations, lack of ovulation, and extra hair progress. Girls with PCOS might 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 women with PCOS who took both maitake extract or the drug clomiphene citrate. The consequence was that maitake extract induced ovulation for 77% of PCOS sufferers. The mushroom was nearly as efficient because the prescription drug.
Dangers & Precautions of Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms are typically thought of fit for human consumption. They’ve an extended historical past of culinary and medicinal use in Asian nations. Nevertheless, it’s essential to concentrate on potential dangers and unwanted effects and take crucial precautions. Listed below are a couple of 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 drugs. In some circumstances, maitake lowered blood sugar ranges an excessive amount of, which might result in hypoglycemia.
Find out how to Use Maitake
Your native grocery retailer might 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. It’s also possible to take pleasure in them sauteed in butter or olive oil. This hen of the woods can be glorious when paired with an precise hen, like roast chicken. Listed below are some extra methods to take pleasure in Maitake mushrooms:
- Sauteed or Stir-Fried: Prepare dinner them in butter or olive oil over medium warmth till tender and barely browned. Use as a facet 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) typically 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. Try this blog post 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 humid fabric or use a delicate brush to take away grime or particles. Keep away from washing them as they soak up water simply. After they tackle an excessive amount of water, it may possibly have an effect on their texture and taste.
Maitake mushrooms can be found contemporary, dried, or in complement kind. In case 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 each day, you could find 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 frequently drink medicinal mushrooms in tasty mushroom “coffees” and teas. The children and I additionally love Four Sigmatic’s sizzling chocolate and Golden Chai Latte that includes medicinal mushrooms!
To be taught extra about different sorts of medicinal mushrooms and their advantages see:
Have you ever eaten or taken maitake mushrooms in some kind? What had been your outcomes? Share under!
