Mushrooms in juices and smoothies? An odd idea – yes – but hear me out and I think you’ll agree! Now I often suggest weird ingredients, BUT the recipe always tastes great! This is no exception.
Truth is mushrooms are packed with tremendous nutrition and I add the common ‘button’ shroom found in every supermarket, to my juice recipes. And just one or 2 give me all the benefits without that mushroom taste – I don’t much like the taste of raw mushroom.
A Little History
Mushrooms are found the world over. Archeology dates their consumption as far back as 13,000 years ago! Incredible as it may sound, non-poisonous mushrooms make up only a mere fraction of the mushroom family (Myceteae kingdom), yet early peoples were able to distinguish those that were safe and harvest them. Now how the heck did they do that when it seems that every year a mushroom ‘expert’ dies from eating the wrong kind!?
In ancient Egypt, mushrooms were considered food fit only for royalty and were banned among the common people. The ancient Greeks, Chinese and Latin Americans used them in religious rituals and believed they could provide superhuman strength. France, during the time of King Louis XIV, became the leader in mushroom cultivation of the kind we eat today.
Newest Research
Hiitake and crimini mushrooms have received the most scientific attention. Shiitake mushrooms may boost the immune system in a way that protects it from developing heart disease according to one study. Dried shiitake provide the body with more iron than iron supplements according to other lab studies. In preliminary research, these mushrooms are showing exciting results in fighting certain cancers, predominantly colon, prostate, and breast.
Crimini mushrooms are the ones most commonly eaten by Americans – ‘button’ mushrooms – and appear to offer even more immune-boosting benefits than shiitake. They also provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, according to recent research. Further research is focused on whether these benefits play any role in lowering the risk of certain cancers.
Amazing Benefits of Mushroom Juice
While extremely low in calories, fat and sodium, mushrooms are an invaluable source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, enzymes, phytonutrients, and high-quality protein. This is why they’re included among ‘superfoods.’
As if that weren’t healthy enough, mushrooms are packed with vitamin D and B-complex compounds, plus the minerals selenium, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
INGREDIENTS
- My favorite tasty juice recipe with mushrooms!
- 1 Apple
- 4 Carrots
- 1/2 Beet
- Slice of fresh Ginger
- 2-3 small button Mushrooms
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 oz.