Interesting facts about mushrooms

September 11, 2009 | In: Food facts


All mushrooms are fungi but not all fungi are mushrooms. The Kingdom of Fungi also includes yeasts, slime molds, rusts and several other types of related organisms.

Mushrooms are low in calories, have no cholesterol and are virtually free of fat and sodium. Mushrooms also contain other essential minerals like Selenium, which works with Vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize “free radicals” which can cause cell damage.

There are an estimated 1.5 to 2 million species of fungi on planet Earth, of which only about 80,000 have been properly identified. Theoretically, there are 6 species of fungi for every 1 species of green plants.

The first mushrooms were thought to be cultivated in Southeast Asia, but it is not known why for sure. It is possible that someone discovered that mushrooms grew by accident or perhaps there was a demand and someone sought out a growing method.

Mushrooms have been successfully used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat many different types of health conditions. Western science and medicine are finally beginning to recognize and utilize some of the medicinally active compounds in mushrooms and elucidate their modes of action.

Wild mushrooms can be found in many wooded areas. If you do choose to harvest wild mushrooms, make certain you have a professional identify your pick. Many mushrooms may resemble safe mushrooms (they are called false mushrooms) and can be poisonous.

Mushrooms are the reproductive part of a fungus that lives underground. The underground part, called the mycelium, starts at one point and grows outward in all directions. As it grows, it uses up nutrients, leaving behind a “dead zone” in the center.

When the fungus reproduces, it sends up the mushrooms in a ring-shaped pattern, just behind the leading edge of the growing mycelium. These rings are called “fairy rings” and can grow very large. One in France is about 600 meters across, and is thought to be 700 years old!


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