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Enjoyable reality: I’ve a complete basket of mushroom coffees and drinks on my espresso bar. One of many powerhouse mushrooms you’ll discover in there’s maitake.
This humble mushroom can also be known as “hen of the woods.” Its overlapping fronds resemble the feathers of a nesting hen, therefore the identify. 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, 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 components of Asia. In addition to hen of the woods, one other widespread identify for this mushroom is “sheep’s head.”
“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The identify supposedly comes from folks dancing for pleasure upon discovering it. Folks have recognized for hundreds of years how helpful this kind of mushroom is. It’s one of many mushroom varieties thought-about a “medicinal mushroom.” Maitake has an extended historical past of each culinary and medicinal use: “Let meals be thy drugs.”
Vitamins in Maitake Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms are a superb 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 fluctuate resulting from 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 sort of like what human pores and skin does when uncovered to daylight. The kind of vitamin D present in fungi is D2 somewhat than D3.
Phosphorus
Maitake mushrooms even have phosphorus. Our physique makes use of this important mineral for many completely different physiological processes. A number of examples embody bone well being, power metabolism, cell membrane construction, and DNA/RNA synthesis.
Potassium
Potassium is current in most vegetation and fungi and is essential for the human weight-reduction plan. This important mineral performs an vital function 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 important processes. Past its function in fluid steadiness, 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 possible contribute to its medicinal properties, making it a sought-after mushroom.
Immune-Supporting
Medicinal mushrooms are recognized for supporting the immune system. Maitake mushrooms are not any exception. Like different medicinal mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms include beta-glucans. These mushroom-based polysaccharides assist assist a wholesome immune response. Polysaccharides basically 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 examine seemed 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 probably 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 combating towards most cancers. 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 could improve the exercise of particular immune cells, resembling 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 method maitake mushrooms may also 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 offered 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 therapies. Nonetheless, they’ll complement different therapies. At all times comply with the medical recommendation of a healthcare skilled you belief.
Could Stability Ldl cholesterol Ranges
One other method Maitake mushrooms could assist thrust back power sickness is by balancing levels of cholesterol. Whereas LDL (low-density lipoprotein) ldl cholesterol is also known as “dangerous” ldl cholesterol, it’s not fairly so easy. Lipoprotein knowledgeable Dr. Cromwell explains extra right here in this podcast episode. Different well being elements (particularly insulin resistance) play a giant function in our levels of cholesterol.
Maitake’s antioxidants can also cut 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 eat maitake commonly could cut back hypertension. In a single animal examine, researchers gave maitake extract to rats and diminished age-related hypertension. The researchers had been stunned to seek 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 examine (1989), researchers fed maitake mushrooms to rats for eight weeks. On the finish of the examine, blood stress, triglycerides, and levels of cholesterol all went down. Maitake mushrooms’ means to decrease these markers implies they might assist cut back the chance of metabolic syndrome and heart problems.
Helps Blood Sugar Stability & Diabetes
A Japanese examine 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 length of the examine.
One other examine seemed 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 examine. The researchers concluded that the bioactive compounds within the mushrooms might be able to cut 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 include follicles, however they don’t commonly launch eggs. This leads to rare intervals, lack of ovulation, and extra hair progress. Ladies with PCOS could produce other hormone-related signs, however probably the most discouraging one is infertility.
Maitake mushrooms might be able to assist. A 2010 Japanese examine adopted girls with PCOS who took both maitake extract or the drug clomiphene citrate. The end result 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 usually thought-about suitable for eating. They’ve an extended historical past of culinary and medicinal use in Asian international locations. Nonetheless, it’s important to concentrate on potential dangers and unwanted 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 circumstances, maitake lowered blood sugar ranges an excessive amount of, which might result in hypoglycemia.
Easy methods to Use Maitake
Your native grocery retailer could carry recent 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, hold 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 also be glorious when paired with an precise hen, like roast hen. Listed below are some extra methods to get pleasure from 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 simple 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 weblog submit 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 material 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 well have an effect on their texture and taste.
Maitake mushrooms can be found recent, 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 day by day, you could find them in complement kind. Ideally, they’re standardized to 30% D-fraction.
Maitake and different medicinal mushrooms are a superb addition to your well being routine.
What I Do
I commonly drink medicinal mushrooms in tasty mushroom “coffees” and teas. The youngsters and I additionally love 4 Sigmatic’s scorching 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 beneath!
