Shiitake mushrooms, great allies of the immune system.

May 08, 2021

Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated in China and Japan for over a thousand years. They were originally grown on the wood of Japanese oak trees, but the evolution of cultivation has meant that they are also grown on the wood of other trees. Nowadays they are famous all over the world, both for their delicious and intense flavour and for their medicinal properties. On the market you can find them fresh, dried and canned.

Shiitake mushrooms are the main source of protein in several Asian countries. You should include them in your diet if you are thinking of becoming a vegetarian because of their high protein content. In addition, they have been traditionally used in Chinese and Japanese medicine to strengthen the immune system and extend life; when you have high defences your body is less prone to infectious diseases.

Benefits of shiitake mushrooms

• Shiitake mushrooms are often used to curb the effects of diseases such as AIDS or cancer, as they stimulate the body's immune system.
• They help to relieve the negative symptoms caused by chemotherapy.
  
• They are also indicated for people with heart problems, as they lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
• It is useful in diseases such as hepatitis as it stops the development of viruses.
  
• They contain a polysaccharide that stabilises blood sugar levels and are a great ally for people with diabetes or chronic fatigue.
• Stimulates the immune system by creating cancer-fighting cells.

If you want to find out more about Shiitake mushrooms, don't hesitate to take a look at our superfoods course