There is hardly anyone who doesn’t like mushrooms. from pizza toppings to savory sauces, cremini mushrooms are devoured in various forms. Cremini mushrooms are not only delicious but carry a lot of nutrients and minerals. Let’s get to know them:
What are Cremini Mushrooms?
Cremini mushrooms are another common type of mushrooms and are white. They come from the same family as that of portobello mushrooms i-e Agaricus Bisporus. The main difference between portobellos and cremini mushrooms is their harvesting ages. Portobello mushrooms mature for a longer period as compared to cremini mushrooms.
Cremini mushrooms are older than common white mushrooms and even have a darker color than later. These mushrooms slightly differ in taste as they don’t have a deep and rich flavor like portobellos. These mushrooms are found to help lower the risk of many health-related problems just like portobello mushrooms. Several studies have found that when mushroom extracts are consumed by cancer patients, there is a decrease in the ability to form blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors.
History of cremini mushrooms
These mushrooms were abundantly found in wilds from prehistoric times and were first discovered by Egyptians and they used them for spiritual purposes because they thought that mushrooms give special powers for eternal life. It is unknown that exactly when cremini mushrooms were first cultivated but they were harvested by Asian countries like Japan, India, and China. Later in the 17th century, a family of mushrooms called Agaricus Bisporus was first cultivated in Europe. In the modern world, still, cremini mushrooms are cultivated in Western France. In the USA, fresh mushrooms are produced in Pennsylvania.
Nutritional facts of cremini mushrooms
The following nutritional facts are for 10 cremini mushrooms:
- Calories 44 kcal
- Protein 5 gm
- Fat 0 gm
- Carbohydrates 9 gm
- Fiber 1 gm
- Sugar 3 gm
- Sodium 5.2 mg
- Calcium 16 mg
- Iron 0.3 mg
- Zinc 1 mg
- Magnesium 7.8 mg
Benefits of cremini mushrooms
A journal published in 2012 stated that mushrooms have the ability to fight certain diseases and they are good antioxidants, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, nephroprotective, and anti-microbial.
Mentioned below are some of the convincing reasons and health benefits of cremini mushrooms that urge us to include them in our daily diets:
- Protection against Cancer: Due to its anticancer potentials, one should include cremini mushrooms in the diet. These cremini mushrooms are the safest and cheapest way to lower the risk of cancer because they decrease tumor cell proliferation and tumor weight as well. Cremini mushrooms contain non-active components called Conjugated linoleic Acid (CLA) that act as a protective shield against cancerous cell growth. A study has found that mushroom extracts decrease aromatase activity which in return reduces the production of estrogen because elevated estrogen is a major cause of breast cancer in women. Compounds like flavones and isoflavones that are found in cremini mushrooms, largely inhibit the negative effects of estrogens. Similarly, cremini mushrooms are also helpful in the treatment of prostate cancer and leukemic monocyte lymphoma.
- Cardiovascular Health and Metabolic Syndrome: A very important amino acid Ergothioneine (EGT) is found in these mushrooms and this compound plays a vital role as an antioxidant. EGT is related to cardiovascular advantages as it reduces inflammation, protects any damage caused to blood vessels, and maintains cholesterol levels within the body as well as acts as a guard against RBC disorders, diabetes or liver damage. Cremini mushrooms also seem to protect the brain from swelling resulting from injury or kidney damage.
- Restore Gut Health: Cremini mushrooms are rich in nutrients like selenium and copper and protect intestines against leaky gut syndrome as well as reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Cremini mushroom extracts have shown pragmatic effects on inflammatory bowel diseases, fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, and colon cancer. The selenium present in cremini mushrooms protects the gut barrier as well as plays a vital role in warding off oxidative injuries.
- Potassium Punch: 1 cup of cremini mushroom provides 10% of the daily requirement of potassium as potassium is compulsory for several cellular activities as well as balance the mineral levels especially of sodium within the body. Thus, it is obvious that cremini mushrooms aids in the prevention of health-related issues caused by low potassium levels. Potassium has numerous advantages including balanced blood pressure, protection against weak bones, reduce fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches.
- Boost Immune System: Cremini mushrooms are abundant in helpful bacteria and these bacteria are advantageous for the digestive tract. A healthy digestive tract improves digestion and the bacterias found in cremini mushrooms are greatly helpful in boosting the immune system.
- Reduced Salt Intake: Less salt intake promotes a healthy heart as well as keeps our blood pressure at a normal level. American Heart Association has suggested that a person should only eat 1000 mg of salt per day. If anyone wants to cut down the intake of salt in their daily diets, they should include cremini mushrooms because of their rich savory flavor. And just due to this strong salty flavor, there will be no need to add salt to their foods.
Side effects of cremini mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms do not cause any allergy but if anyone is sensitive to any allergies caused by any other mushrooms, he/she should avoid eating cremini mushrooms because mushrooms contain purines that form uric acid that accumulates in the body causing kidney problems like kidney stones or joint-related health issues.
Final verdict
Cremini mushrooms are related to reduced inflammation, prevents cancer or heart disease. These mushrooms have a high level of B vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients like CLA and L-ergothioneine as well as cremini mushrooms are a rich source of selenium, copper, potassium, and phosphorus.
