What is shiitake and what is it used for?

Asia is home to many homemade and medicinal crops, from China to Korea popular herbs such as green tea come from , these countries have very honorable cultures regarding the consumption of healthy and even spiritual plants, herbs and mushrooms.

There is a rather peculiar mushroom, not to say that it is even interesting, and it is the shiitake , which is nothing more than a fungus with quite beneficial properties, which we will explain in this article.

What is shiitake?

Shiitake is the name of an edible mushroom , whose real name is “Lentinus edodes” and comes from the Polyporaceae Family , being a well-known crop in Japan, China and Korea for approximately more than 200 years.

The shiitake mushroom is the second most popular worldwide , as well as the most distributed to powers like the United States. It weighs between 60 and 70 grams, made up of more meat than that of a common mushroom and is slightly brown in color.

Note: According to what was analyzed in a study, it is known that “Shiitake is a mushroom highly appreciated for centuries in the East for its properties as food and medicine” . (1)

Shiitake properties

Shiitake is considered a fungus with enormous nutritional properties and that are beneficial in the field of medicine, which is why they have also been included in different diets. These are the main properties currently known of shiitake:

1. Vitamins

Shiitake is a great source of vitamins , with great exclusivity from the B complex group, where vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B3 ( niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 ​​and B9 (folic acid) are divided .

Important: It is also necessary to add the following studied in a thesis “It has a high natural concentration of vitamin D (ergosterol), known by vegans and kosher (kosher means” suitable “or” adequate “and designates “suitable” foods to help us in our physical well-being) . (two)

2. Minerals

The presence of minerals in shiitake cannot be ruled out , where phosphorus, zinc, potassium, sodium and calcium stand out, being the most common, but aluminum, iron, sulfur, silicon and magnesium are also added.

Notable: An analysis describes the following : “The nutritional value of shiitake as a food has contributed to its increased consumption around the world. Emphasizing that shiitake is a good source of protein, potassium and zinc” . (3)

3. Other compounds

Shiitake has a very considerable amount of dietary fiber and its chitin compound, as well as lipids or free fatty acids as they are better known, including essential amino acids for the body and proteins.

Note: Polysaccharides (Lentinan) are the main component of shiitake.

What benefits does shiitake have?

Shiitake provides many benefits to the body, keeping us healthy and stable, you will surely wonder what are the benefits it presents? These are the most important known:

1. Strengthens the immune system

The immune system is one of the most important defenses of the organism, which can benefit from the energy produced by the antioxidant and mineral effects, including the proteins that keep the defenses balanced.

Shiitake is well known for strengthening the immune system of the human body, in fact it has been widely used by traditional medicine in China to strengthen the immune system, thanks to the activation of T cells within the mushrooms.

2. Lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides

High blood pressure is a well-known cardiovascular disease, whose risk factor is related to cholesterol and triglycerides , which can be largely alleviated thanks to the consumption of the “Lentinus edodes” mushroom .

To highlight: This occurs thanks to the fact that shiitake has amino acids , in a great majority, which are essential for the human body , in addition to the fact that they can prevent the risk of suffering from heart diseases and favor the wealth of the organism.

3. Stimulates cognitive functions

Cognitive functions are extremely important and are directly related to brain health , since it is the human ability to learn or remember certain required information.

Shiitake has B complex vitamins , which directly help the brain organ, which consumes 20% of calories in the human body , adding that these greatly promote the creation of red blood cells, transporting oxygen and preventing conditions such as anemia.

4. Promotes gastrointestinal health

Gastrointestinal health is more than important for the organism, being one of the most delicate systems of the human body , where the organs of the stomach and even the intestines are involved.

Note: Shiitake is rich in fiber , an element of great importance that greatly favors intestinal health and flora, this is possible thanks to the fact that fiber prevents the formation of hemorrhoids , irritation of the mucous walls and also constipation in the intestine. .

5. Increases physical energy

Physical energy is necessary and should not be lacking in our body, in addition to the fact that there are components that increase this type of energy in the body.

B vitamins play a key role in boosting energy, due to the transformation of the nutrients that lie within the food we consume (in this case, the shiitake mushroom), apart from promoting adrenal functions.

6. Strengthens bones and teeth

The health of the bones and teeth is important, they are part of the same bony or skeletal structure of the body, therefore, both can suffer from conditions, without exception.

In this sense, the shiitake mushroom is rich in iron and vitamin D , which are key to the body’s bone health, as is calcium, since calcium phosphate is an important component in human bone, it is then an essential element for all living beings and must be in the diet.

7. Improves skin health

The skin can be quite delicate, the attack of bacteria towards the dermal layers of the body can be quite serious, not to mention the infections that they cause, for this reason it is necessary to maintain stable skin health.

You should know: Shiitake has the great advantage of having antioxidants such as phosphorus, zinc and other important components such as folic acid (Vitamin B9) , all of which have the task of repairing damaged tissue, keeping the skin hydrated and facilitating healing in general.

8. Protects against cancer

Cancer is one of the most feared diseases by man , whose appearances are sudden and each year the risk factors increase for many reasons.

Shiitake, thanks to the production of red blood cells and the different amino acids it possesses, largely prevents the unexpected appearance of cancer cells that mutate in the body.

Important: Shiitake has a component called “lentinan (LNT)” which has been verified to be effective in cases of chemotherapy in pancreatic, ovarian and stomach cancer.

How to take shiitake?

It is important not to abuse the consumption of shiitake, 6 to 16 grams a day are recommended as a very specific dose, sometimes it can vary between 3 to 6 grams, the important thing is not to exceed this limit.

The shiitake is consumed in its original form, either raw or dried (with previous cleaning) and can be cooked with soups, stews or salty and varied foods. The mushroom has a mild and pleasant flavor , in addition to which it can be included in hot infusions.

Key Findings

• The “Lentinus edodes” or Shiitake, is a consumable mushroom whose origin is Asian.
• It has innumerable amino acids and compounds such as dietary fiber.
• Fight conditions and promote the health of the nervous system in specific parts. 
• It is consumed in dishes such as soups and added to hot infusions.