Mushrooms are not only a delicious addition to many meals (we’re looking at you, mac ’n’ cheese), it turns out they also have quite a few health and skin benefits. “Some of the most popular mushrooms today, like reishi mushrooms, have been used in skin care and supplements for over 2000 years,” says Barbara Close, Naturopathica founder and esthetician who also has a degree in therapeutic herbalism. “With roots in traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are associated with restoring vitality and helping to address imbalances, from compromised immunity to sensitized skin, by reducing inflammation,” she adds.
The Health Benefits of Mushroom
Mushrooms have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning they can help boost your overall health, explains Dr. Karyn Grossman, M.D., celebrity dermatologist in Beverly Hills. Penn State researchers found that mushrooms contain two specific antioxidants (ergothioneine and glutathione) that may help protect against free radical damage that can contribute to everything from Alzheimer’s disease to cancer.
“As of late, much attention has been given to the anti-cancer and immune-boosting properties of therapeutic mushrooms,” says Charles Passler, celebrity nutritionist and founder of the nutrition program Pure Change, “but there’s also a good deal of research on other healing properties like cholesterol– and blood pressure–lowering as well as anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory capacities,” he notes. Read more
