You've probably seen oyster mushrooms listed as an ingredient in your favorite stir-fry, but did you know these fungi are also loaded with nutrients?
It's true.
Oyster mushrooms come in several distinct types and each one of them is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to keep your body healthy and defend against disease.
Here's everything you need to know about oyster mushroom benefits, other medicinal mushrooms, and how to include more oyster mushrooms in your diet.
Types of Oyster Mushrooms
The traditional Oyster Mushroom is Pleurotus ostratus- this is the one you are likely to find at the grocery store... but there are many different types of Oyster.
King oyster mushrooms: The biggest oyster mushroom found in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.
Pink oyster mushrooms: Bright pink color that fades when exposed to heat, with a pungent flavor. Can taste like bacon if cooked right!
Phoenix oyster: Looks and tastes like pearl oyster mushrooms but slightly smaller.
Golden oyster: Bright gold color and a vibrant flavor to match. Very delicate and short shelf life.
Blue oyster: Despite having a bluish tint, they taste exactly like pearl oyster mushrooms.
Pearl oyster: The most common type you'll find in North America.
Each type of oyster mushrooms may have slightly different nutritional values.
The Nutritional Value of Oyster Mushrooms and Benefits
Most of the incredible oyster mushroom health benefits come from its awesome nutritional profile.
Mushrooms, in general, are excellent for overall health and weight loss because they're low in calories and fat with absolutely no cholesterol.
Oyster mushrooms are no different, boasting just 28 calories per one-cup serving with 1g fat, 2g dietary fiber, and 3g protein.
Beyond the basics, oyster mushrooms also have decent nutritional value thanks to their wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Niacin: Almost every cell in the human body requires niacin to function and metabolize other nutrients.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is not easy to find in food products (it typically comes from sunlight). However, mushrooms treated with UV lights are one of the best food sources of vitamin D.
Iron: Red blood cells require iron. One cup of oyster mushrooms gives you 12% of your recommended iron intake which makes them a great meat substitute in that respect.
Oyster mushrooms also contain 8% each of your daily recommended amount of important nutrients like
Riboflavin
Potassium
Vitamin B6
B Vitamins
Folic acid (folate)
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Pantothenic acid
8 Health Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms
Traditional Chinese medicine has understood the value of oyster mushrooms and other medicinal mushrooms for centuries.
Here are some of the most well-researched oyster mushroom benefits.
1. Immune System Support
The beta-glucans in oyster mushrooms make them one of the best foods on the planet for protecting your immune system against short- and long-term illnesses.
Unlike some foods that either stimulate or repress the immune system, mushrooms balance it.
Plus, oyster mushrooms are loaded with other antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage and oxidative stress so your immune system can defend itself against aging.
2. Lowering High Blood Pressure
Your body needs nutrients like vitamin D to regulate blood pressure levels.
Did you know that most people who live in cold climates are deficient in vitamin D?
One study found that dietary mushrooms like oysters reduced blood pressure in rats with spontaneous or unexplained high blood pressure. (1)
3. Regulating Cholesterol Levels
Since mushrooms like oysters have a savory flavor and no cholesterol, they're a great substitute for meat in many sautéed dishes.
One study also found that consuming oyster mushrooms reduced triglycerides and cholesterol levels in diabetic patients (as well as high blood sugar levels). (2)
4. Building Strong Bones
Oyster mushrooms have plenty of important nutrients for building strong bones. Specifically, vitamin D and magnesium.
While most people focus on calcium, your body also needs vitamin D and magnesium to process calcium and store it in your bones.
5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The beta-glucans and antioxidants in oyster mushrooms make it a great food for lowering inflammation.
Some research shows that beyond beta-glucans, some of the oyster's anti-inflammatory properties come from a unique and somewhat unknown amino acid called ergothioneine.
According to the research, ergothioneine lowers "systemic" inflammation across the entire body which often contributes to diseases like dementia and diabetes.
6. Anti-Cancer Properties
The beta-glucans in mushrooms like oysters function as potent antioxidants that may protect the body against cancer.
One study found that oyster mushrooms have potential to be effective for certain types of cancer cells. (3)
7. Protecting the Heart Against Cardiovascular Disease
Ergothioneine is also an excellent amino acid for protecting the heart because it prevents the buildup of plaque. Perhaps this is also why oyster mushrooms are able to lower cholesterol levels.
8. Defend Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
Finally, the amino acid ergothioneine is a cytoprotectant. In other words, it protects cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage.
That's why mushrooms like oysters have potential for defending against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia.
How to Eat Oyster Mushrooms for Benefits
Mushrooms should always be washed before cooking.
Give your mushrooms a rinse in chilly water and toss them into a salad spinner or pat them dry with a paper towel.
You won't want to use the firm parts of the stem for cooking so cut them away. However, you can save the firm parts for other recipes like cooking stocks.
Here is a recipe that you can try.
Other Medicinal Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms aren't the only fungi with incredible health benefits.
In fact, many of the most medicinal mushrooms you've probably never heard of!
Mushrooms like lion's mane, maitake mushrooms, shiitake, turkey tail, cordyceps, chaga, and others are packed with polysaccharides and beta-glucans as well.
You may not want to eat lion's mane mushrooms in your stir-fry, because they don't taste the best. You can, however, consume mushroom extracts and powders in capsules, coffees, and smoothies without sacrificing flavor.
The Bottom Line
Oyster mushrooms aren't just a delicious edible mushroom, they're also extremely nutritious and packed with antioxidants.
It's easy to include more oyster mushrooms in your diet or find antioxidant-packed medicinal mushroom supplements to defend against cancer, inflammation, and other diseases.
