Mushrooms are basically nature's way of showing off: They’re delicious, unique-looking and packed with surprising health benefits. Whether you toss them in a stir-fry, layer them on pizza or blend them into a smoothie ( yes, that’s a thing ), mushrooms are the ultimate overachievers of the food world. They’re low-calorie, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and so low in sodium you’d need a microscope to find it.
Not to mention the slew of micronutrients mushrooms contain, including riboflavin, niacin and potassium. But the fun doesn’t stop with their nutritional stats. Many varieties of these fungi are also full of health-boosting compounds like beta-glucans (natural fibers that help support the immune system and heart health) and ergothioneine, an antioxidant.
Now, before you go running into the forest to start a mushroom scavenger hunt (please don’t — some can be poisonous), let’s talk about the sheer variety of mushrooms out there. From the humble button mushroom to the kingly lion’s mane, these fungi come in all shapes, sizes and textures. Whether you’re looking for something meaty to toss on the grill or a delicate addition to your soup, there’s a mushroom for every occasion.
Which ones are the rock stars of the mushroom world, nutritionally speaking? Keep reading as we dig deeper into which mushrooms bring what to the table (spoiler alert: they’re all pretty awesome). Shiitake mushrooms — immune system must-have These savory, meaty mushroo.