Mushrooms are representatives of a separate biological kingdom. Their structure is very different from plants, animals and insects, but they have a huge amount of useful substances, which is why they occupy a significant niche in our diet. Rich mineral composition puts this product on a par with fruits, its carbohydrate composition – with vegetables, and large number protein - with meat. But, unfortunately, all this wealth is quite difficult to digest, so it is not suitable for everyone.

Useful properties of mushrooms

Mushrooms are a good source of valuable protein compounds. They contain 18 amino acids necessary for normal functioning human body. 100 g of mushrooms contains 4 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 1.3 g of fat. The most valuable fat components are unsaturated fatty acids and glycerides fatty acids and lecithin. But most of their mass is water. Dried mushrooms are three-quarters protein.

Systematic use of this valuable product allows you to improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair, as it contains quite a lot of vitamins: A, B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9), D, E, PP. They also improve hematopoietic processes - this is due to the fact that there are more B vitamins in mushrooms than in many grains and vegetables.

Mushrooms are an excellent source of protein

There are also many valuable microelements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc and sulfur. Due to their special composition, mushrooms can remove bad cholesterol from the blood and strengthen the cardiovascular system. Their consumption has a positive effect on the functioning of the myocardium and helps prevent some heart diseases. Zinc and copper, which are contained in mushrooms, promote hematopoiesis and take part in the production of hormones by the pituitary gland.

In addition, mushrooms contain beneficial beta-glucans, the effect of which has a positive effect on work immune system and helps prevent cancer, as well as melatonin - one of the most powerful natural antioxidants.

What harm can they do? (Video)

Despite the rich chemical composition and a huge number of beneficial properties, mushrooms are not at all considered useful and dietary products. There are many reasons for this. One of the main ones is the high content of chitin in them, which is very difficult for humans to digest. In addition, mushrooms are able to slow down the release gastric juice, which makes their splitting even more difficult.

Poisonous mushrooms, such as toadstool, are often fatal

The digestive process is disrupted, which leads to poor absorption and other products consumed with them. This is why you shouldn’t even overuse mushrooms. healthy people. The legs contain the most chitin; it is better to throw them away or at least remove the top layer.

Just one toadstool mushroom contains enough poison to poison four people.

Another significant disadvantage of mushrooms is their ability to accumulate harmful substances. They, like small sponges, can collect them from water, soil and even from the air. Heavy metal salts and even radioactive particles are often found in mushrooms that grew in contaminated areas. Moreover, the larger they are, the more harmful substances they may contain.

Therefore, you should not eat mushrooms collected near roads or in industrial areas, as well as on lawns in major cities. It is worth abandoning too large and old representatives of this kingdom of nature.

About 90% of cases are fatal dangerous disease Botulism is associated with the consumption of canned mushrooms prepared at home. Even the safest and healthiest mushrooms can become poisonous if they are not properly preserved and stored.

We must not forget about poisonous mushrooms. They can not only cause serious poisoning, but also cause deaths. There are many conditionally edible mushrooms that can only be consumed after serious processing. If you prepare them incorrectly, you can cause significant damage to your health. In cases where you are not sure that a mushroom is 100% harmless, it is better not to take it.

Who shouldn't eat mushrooms?

As we have already said, uncontrolled consumption of mushrooms will not benefit even an absolutely healthy and young man. This is too heavy food, which is digested very slowly and overloads the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they contain a lot of protein, which also puts a strong strain on the digestive system.

The tradition of collecting wild mushrooms does not exist in all countries. Today they are collected in Russia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Canada and the northern USA.

Therefore, eating mushrooms is out of the question if a person has any chronic diseases, even when acute manifestations No . They are also contraindicated for those who suffer from liver and kidney diseases, as well as gout. Healthy people should not use this product if they at the moment they have any digestive disorder.

Mushrooms are contraindicated for young children

Separately, it is worth mentioning the consumption of mushrooms by children - this product is strictly contraindicated for them.. The child’s body is not able to cope with such amounts of protein and chitin, so best case scenario they will come out undigested, and at worst will lead to quite severe digestive disorders. At the same time, not only pure mushrooms are prohibited, but also any dishes in which they are included.

At what age can you start using them? Some pediatricians allow it from the age of 6 years. But considering that mushrooms are not at all essential products, it is better to refrain from tasting them until 10-12 years.

In what form is it best to use them?

Everyone knows that mushrooms can be eaten after heat treatment. And although raw champignons will not harm the body, it is still better to cook them. But in the process of influence high temperature Most of the beneficial substances in the mushroom are destroyed, and its nutritional value drops sharply. But chitin and most of the harmful substances remain.

Traditionally, the Swiss do not collect porcini mushrooms, as they consider them poisonous; butter mushrooms are not consumed in Italy, and in France and Germany, russulas are considered inedible.

Even if we take the most environmentally friendly and healthy mushroom, after cooking it will turn into a tasty and aromatic piece of a completely useless and difficult to digest substance. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the method of preparing the mushroom has no effect on the preservation of useful substances in it.

Mushrooms must be boiled before cooking.

If we talk about removing possible harmful components, then cooking is preferable. During cooking, a certain amount of foreign components accumulated in the mushroom passes into the water. Therefore, it is advisable to first boil all mushrooms collected in nature 3 times for 15 minutes each, and only then fry, salt or marinate. But we must remember that the own toxins of poisonous species will not go away from such processing.

Forest or cultivated?

Today we have the opportunity all year round eat fresh mushrooms, as artificial conditions We have already learned to grow more than 10 species of them. The most popular are champignons, as well as oyster mushrooms, honey mushrooms and shiitake. Their main advantage over wild ones is that if all growing technologies are followed, they do not accumulate harmful substances. In addition, if you buy mushrooms in a store, you can be sure that they are not poisonous.

Industrial cultivation of mushrooms allows you to obtain a tasty and safe product

This main reason the fact that in most European countries they have long abandoned collecting and only consume products grown under artificial conditions. Since mushrooms are a food that is consumed solely for pleasure, because there is not much benefit from them, it is better to choose safe and tasty champignons, oyster mushrooms, etc.

Rules for safe use

If you love this product but want to protect yourself from... possible risk associated with its use, it is better to refuse to collect it yourself. You should not buy mushrooms from strangers at the market. If you like to wander through the forest, and searching is a special pleasure for you, then be extremely careful. You can only take mushrooms that you are one hundred percent sure of, and only if they grow in relatively environmentally friendly areas.

Wild mushroom kebab is a dangerous treat

In addition, you need to remember a few secrets:

• since mushrooms are poorly digestible, it is better not to eat them before bed, a bath or hard work and give preference to lighter snacks;
• You should not consume mushrooms at the same time as alcohol, as this will put a double burden on the body;
• It is better for older people to avoid this product.

There are a huge number of mushrooms. The article will help you figure out which of them you can eat, how they are good for the body, and what the harm is.

There is still active debate about whether mushrooms can be eaten or not. Some consider them incredibly tasty and very healthy, others consider them a source of poisons.

Experienced housewives have their own position: they believe that any mushroom, if it is initially suitable for eating, will be beneficial and pampering taste buds, if you know how to cook it correctly.

Why should you eat mushrooms?

Fungi are unique living organisms belonging to a separate biological family. They have characteristics of both animals and plants.

IMPORTANT: You don’t need to think that mushrooms are useless food. They contain many useful substances.

Mushrooms include:

• proteins (including chitin, which is difficult for the human digestive system to process)
• amino acids (about 18 pieces)
• fats (very little, only about 1-2%)
• polysaccharides (beta-glucans)
• vitamins (including group B, vitamins A, D, C and PP)
• minerals (iodine, potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, others)

IMPORTANT: Due to the chitin content, mushrooms should not be eaten by children under 14 years of age. Due to the lack of special enzymes, this protein is not digested by them

The benefits of mushrooms for humans are as follows:

• are a source of protein, which is necessary for the construction of new cells
• provide quick satiety, while they are low-fat and low-calorie, they can be used by those who are on a diet
• due to the content of vitamins, they have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the human body and its appearance– improve the condition of skin, hair, nails, teeth
• promote hematopoiesis
• improve heart function due to high potassium content
• improve the functioning of the endocrine system
• increase immunity due to the content of beta-glucans

IMPORTANT: Formerly a man While collecting, he ate wild mushrooms. Later they began to be cultivated. And if in Eastern and Central Europe the tradition of going to the forest in the fall for a “quiet hunt” has been preserved, Western Europe They eat only human-grown mushrooms, mostly champignons.

What are the harms of mushrooms?

Like any other food, mushrooms have certain harms:

1. Mushrooms can be poisonous and are simply not intended for consumption. People do not always know how to distinguish poisonous mushrooms, so cases of severe intoxication are not uncommon, the consequences of which can be fatal.
2. Mushrooms are capable of accumulating harmful substances and compounds contained in the environment. If they are collected in contaminated areas or prepared in violation of technology, poisoning is also possible
3. Vegetarians prefer to eat mushrooms instead of meat as a product containing protein. But they cannot become the main food because of the same chitin. Its excessive content in the body leads to pathologies of the pancreas, liver, stomach and intestines.

Oyster mushrooms benefit and harm

Oyster mushrooms are one of those mushrooms that are cultivated by humans. When grown conscientiously, the harm from oyster mushrooms is minimal, they:

• can cause a feeling of oversaturation or heaviness in the stomach, because, like other mushrooms, they are not completely absorbed by the body
• may absorb harmful substances from environment, if grown in violation of technology

IMPORTANT: You need to know how to buy fresh oyster mushrooms. These mushrooms spoil very quickly

The benefits for the human body and its health are greater for oyster mushrooms than for other mushrooms, if only because they contain a significant amount of polysaccharides and are a powerful natural anticancer agent.

• for immunity
• for the heart
• to restore blood
• for obesity

Chanterelle mushrooms: benefits and harms

Red chanterelles contain large quantities of ascorbic acid, vitamin D, selenium. Therefore, their benefits have been proven for:

• immunity
• nervous system
• endocrine system
• vision
• bones and muscles
• vessels

To prevent chanterelles from causing harm to the body, you must be able to:

1. Collect them. Inexperienced mushroom pickers often confuse healthy chanterelles with false chanterelles – conditionally edible mushrooms with a dull taste and lack of beneficial properties
2. Store them. If you do not place the chanterelles in the cold within 4-5 hours after cutting, they will begin to accumulate harmful products disintegration
3. Cook them. Before actually cooking, they need to be boiled for 15-20 minutes.

White mushroom benefits and harm

The white mushroom is the most beautiful and delicious, it is called the king of mushrooms. Unfortunately, its benefits are not as outstanding as external and taste qualities. It consists in:

• favorable ratio of nutritional value and calorie content (protein - as in meat, while 100 g contains only 300 kcal)
• content of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids(there are 22 of them in porcini mushroom), fiber, others necessary for a person substances
• anti-cancer properties

There are also few arguments in favor of refraining from eating porcini mushrooms, but they are significant:

• they have a poisonous counterpart - the gall mushroom; an inexperienced mushroom picker will not be able to distinguish them
• they quickly absorb harmful compounds from the environment, e.g. heavy metals

Morels: benefits and harms. Lines benefit and harm

As for morels and strings, you need to start with their harm.

Morels are mushrooms classified as conditionally edible. To eat them, you must adhere to complex technology– soak them and boil them in 2-3 waters. They also say that only drying for 3 months can completely remove toxins from morels.
The greatest value of morels is that they improve vision and are a remedy against cataracts.

IMPORTANT: The lines are generally poisonous. Many experts agree that even complex treatment is not able to completely remove toxic substances from them.

VIDEO: Morel stitches, benefits and harms of these mushrooms

Benefits and harms of champignons

Champignons fully reveal the benefits of all mushrooms for the human body, firstly, due to the fact that, when cultivated, they are almost completely free from harm.

They are low-calorie, 27 kcal per 100 g, but rich in:

• protein
• amino acids (biotin, lenoleic and panthenolic acids)
• vitamins
• micro- and macroelements

Therefore, champignons have positive influence for the entire body as a whole.
The only drawback of these mushrooms is their high chitin content.

VIDEO: Benefits of champignons

Benefits and harms of honey mushrooms

Honey mushrooms are the “fish” among mushrooms; they are champions in phosphorus and calcium content. This is the reason for their benefits for bones. In addition, a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, ash, and other minerals make them beneficial for organs:

• cardiovascular system
• nervous system
• vision
• endocrine system

Real honey mushrooms, especially those grown artificially, are no more harmful than other edible mushrooms. But it is important not to confuse them with false honey mushrooms, which are not suitable for consumption.

The benefits and harms of milk mushrooms

IN Eastern Europe Milk mushrooms are a pleasure to collect and cook with delicious dishes. At the same time, in the West they are not considered edible mushrooms.

Before cooking, milk mushrooms need to be soaked for two days. Then boil twice for at least 20 minutes, only after this its harm is neutralized.

VIDEO: Mushrooms. The kingdom of mushrooms: the harm and benefits of mushrooms

Many people in our country associate the height of summer and the arrival of autumn with the onset of mushroom season. Porcini mushrooms, boletus, aspen mushrooms, milk mushrooms, russula, saffron milk caps, chanterelles, boletus, honey mushrooms and many other mushrooms appear in our forests at this time. And a huge number of people go after them with baskets and buckets. In Russia, people traditionally love not only the mushrooms themselves, but also the process of collecting them, and therefore there is no shortage of conversations about mushrooms. Some of them are true, others are complete fiction. We have compiled a ranking of the five most popular myths about mushrooms.

Myth 1. In mushrooms more protein than in eggs and meat

Mushrooms are often called forest meat because it is widely believed that they contain more protein than eggs and meat. But is this true? Eggs contain 13 g of protein per 100 grams, and 26 g of meat. Fresh mushrooms Almost 90% consist of water. Obviously, even if the rest was occupied by protein, it would be no more than 10 g, and this is less than in eggs or meat. That is, the information about record-breaking mushrooms for protein content is misleading? Not really. More likely we're talking about about dried mushrooms. Since this process is associated with the removal of water from the product, the percentage of other substances increases sharply.

Myth 2. Mushrooms are a low-calorie diet food.

This statement is only partly true. Wild mushrooms actually contain few calories, and thanks to high content Protein and other substances quickly cause a feeling of fullness. At the same time, mushrooms are quite heavy and difficult to digest food, so they cannot be recommended as dietary nutrition. In small quantities they can be included in limited dietary ration, but in no way make it the basis.

At the same time " vitamin composition"Mushrooms command respect. Both forest and cultivated mushrooms contain more B vitamins (B1, B2, B6) than some cereals, and they contain as much vitamin PP as beef liver. Mushrooms also contain vitamins A and C, iodine, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.

Everything is not so clear. On the one hand, scientists actually discovered a large amount of beta-glucans in mushrooms. This substance from the class of polysaccharides in the human body regulates the functioning of the immune system, protecting it from foreign proteins. On the other hand, beta-glucans in mushrooms are represented by rather large molecules that can be difficult to be absorbed by the human intestine. Thus, mushrooms do contain substances that are beneficial for the immune system, but their digestibility is extremely limited for objective reasons.

Nevertheless, it is with the consumption of mushrooms in Rus' that researchers associate the fact that in the past people managed even strict fast support immunity for high level. This fact feat modern science for the production of medicinal immunomodulatory and antitumor drugs based on mushroom extracts.

Myth 4. Mushrooms are poorly digested and absorbed by the body.

This is true. It's all about the content of chitin, which, for example, makes up the hard outer cover of insects and arthropods. This is also where the separate biological kingdom of fungi differs from plants. The chitin contained in mushrooms is not absorbed by the human body, and for some people with diseases gastrointestinal tract and is completely contraindicated. Also, precisely because of the presence of chitin, many useful substances contained in mushrooms are excreted from the body undigested. For example, mushrooms contain 18 valuable amino acids that affect mental activity, memory and prevent the development of atherosclerosis, but only 10% of them total number are absorbed by the human body during digestion.

Mushrooms are indeed heavy food that is poorly digested and absorbed by the body. For this reason, they are not recommended to be given to children under 12-14 years of age, and after this age, nutritionists advise introducing mushrooms into the diet only in small doses.

Myth 5. Mushrooms absorb all harmful substances

This is true. Mushrooms, like a sponge, absorb all harmful substances from the environment; they have incredible high ability accumulate various toxins and even radioactive compounds! For this reason, mushrooms should be collected only in environmentally friendly places away from roads and hazardous industries. It is also better to cut off very young mushrooms, because the longer the mushroom has grown, the higher the likelihood that harmful substances have accumulated in it.

The property of mushrooms to absorb toxins makes this product dangerous for consumption even if a person can completely distinguish edible mushrooms from inedible ones: the toxin content cannot be determined by eye; this requires special devices, which mushroom pickers, as a rule, do not possess. But there is another side to this coin. If you eat organic mushrooms, once they enter the digestive system, they, like a sponge, absorb the toxins and heavy metals contained in the intestines, and naturally remove them from the body.

Having sorted out the most common myths about mushrooms, we can say with confidence that mushrooms have every right to be present in the human diet, but they must be introduced there very carefully and in small portions. Mushrooms - delicious product food that can diversify any holiday or everyday table, make it richer lean diet. But you need to pick and prepare wild mushrooms yourself very carefully to prevent poisoning.

Hello, my dear readers! I don’t know about where, but now it rains every day here and it’s very warm. These are the most optimal conditions for mushroom growth. Many people love them because they can be fried, pickled, salted, and dried. Any dish prepared with them always takes its rightful place at a festive or everyday table. Today we will talk about mushrooms, their nutritional value and are there any benefits of mushrooms for humans?

Have you ever wondered what mushrooms are? Many believe that this is a special type of plant. Until the middle of the 20th century, they believed so, until research proved that this is an independent kingdom of living nature.

How do they differ from other representatives of flora and fauna?

They cannot be classified as plants, since they do not contain chlorophyll, thanks to which all plants have green. The similarity with plants lies in the unlimited and rapid growth. Organic matter, unlike plants, which produce them from carbon dioxide in the air and water, mushrooms cannot produce them and therefore are not capable of photosynthesis. Unlike animals, they are not capable of movement; this also classifies them as plants.

These are not representatives of the animal world, since they have a heterotrophic type of nutrition characteristic of animals; they are able to deposit starch, and not glycogen, as a storage substance. The fungal cell wall is made of chitin, mannan and chitosan, like in animals, rather than cellulose. The end product of metabolism is urea, as in animals.

Despite this, mushrooms still do not belong to plants or animals. Now they have been separated into a separate independent kingdom of living nature and classified as lower spore plants. In total, there are about 100 thousand species in nature.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of mushrooms

How valuable mushrooms are as a food product depends on its age. The younger they are, the more nutritious they are and have greater nutritional value; they make tastier dishes. Young mushrooms are rich in enzymes, vitamins and mineral salts, the old ones contain less valuable ones nutrients and inorganic compounds.

Mushrooms are 90-95% water, the rest is dry matter, 70% of which is protein. The composition contains enzymes - amylase, proteinase, lipase and oxidoreductase. Mushrooms contain plant sugars, vitamins A, C, PP, D and group B, selenium, minerals are represented by salts of potassium, phosphorus, iron, and there are also sulfur and chlorine in small quantities.

In terms of their nutritional value and composition, they are more related to plants, although plants are richer in carbohydrates, and mushrooms contain more proteins.

• There are very few fats here, so they are poorly absorbed by the body. To improve the taste and better digestibility, sour cream or butter is always added when preparing them.
• There are more proteins in the cap than in its leg. And yet, you shouldn’t throw away the stems; finely chopped mushrooms are better absorbed by the body.

• The composition and amount of carbohydrates is close to that of plants, but vegetables, for example, do not contain carbohydrates such as glycogen, but mushrooms contain insulin, dextrin and other carbohydrates. It should be noted that when cooked, these carbohydrates become easily digestible for the body.
• In terms of vitamin content, mushrooms can be compared to liver or yeast. But most of them are destroyed when heat treatment, primarily this concerns vitamin C and carotene.
• There are not so many minerals in mushrooms, but they replenish the potassium, phosphorus and iron necessary for the body. And microelements such as iodine, copper, zinc, magnesium take an active part in cellular metabolism. Although calcium is present, it is very small, but in combination with dairy products, mushrooms go well.

Mushrooms are rich in extractive substances, good taste and the aroma when cooking always stimulates the appetite.

The calorie content is not high, depending on the type it is 10-34 kcal per 100 g of product. The most high-calorie is porcini mushroom, least of all in nigella. Dried and salted mushrooms have a calorie content of around 24 kcal.

The benefits of mushrooms for the human body

Not only do people love mushrooms for their excellent taste, they also have excellent beneficial properties.

• It is an excellent source of protein and a great alternative to beef. 150 g of mushrooms will replenish daily requirement in protein.
• Due to their low calorie content, they are suitable for nutrition in a weight loss program and will help normalize metabolism and eliminate excess liquid from the body.
• The presence of zinc and B vitamins help relieve nervous stress, irritation, restlessness and anxiety, improve memory.
• Vitamin D helps strengthen bone tissue, teeth, hair, nails, skin.
• Eating mushroom dishes will improve your immunity, and the antioxidant selenium will help prevent cardiovascular diseases, will strengthen blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure and removes “bad” cholesterol from the body.
• Scientists have proven that some mushrooms contain lenitan, a substance that helps prevent the development of oncology. The same substance actively counteracts the HIV virus. To prevent oncological pathology of the mammary glands, ordinary champignons will help; they contain the most of this substance, which can suppress the activity of enzymes that produce estrogen.
• Mushrooms help lower blood glucose levels.

Harm of mushrooms to the human body

Despite the large number of beneficial properties, mushrooms can be harmful. Contraindications for use are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis, liver diseases.

It is strictly forbidden to collect overgrown, poisonous mushrooms and collected near highways, railways or industrial production. Such mushrooms pose a serious threat and are very easy to poison.

And even eating only mushrooms good quality, you need to know that it is recommended to include them in food ration no more than 1-2 times a week.

And I would also like to add that all mushrooms are divided into edible, conditionally edible and poisonous. I won’t talk about edible and poisonous ones, everything about them is clear. But there are mushrooms that can be eaten only after preliminary boiling or pickling. Moreover, the decoction of such mushrooms must be poured out, otherwise you can be poisoned by this decoction.

There was a case in our hospital when two “friends” seasoned the broth after morels and ate them like regular soup. As a result of such a dinner, one person died, and another had to spend a long time in the hospital.

Conditionally edible mushrooms include chanterelles, strings, morels, some types of russula - they must be boiled first, but mushrooms such as milk mushrooms, volushki, etc. - they are first soaked and then salted.

Rating of useful mushrooms

Which mushrooms are the most beneficial? If we take into account the taste and nutritional properties, then the rating will look like this:

1. White milk mushrooms, mushrooms (30-40 kcal per 100 g)

2. Boletus, boletus, boletus, boletus (25-30 kcal per 100 g)

Autumn is the time to pick mushrooms. Or, at least, buy them at the market, preparing delicious and satisfying dishes: mushroom soups, julienne, homemade roast with mushrooms... In lately It is customary to talk about mushrooms more in a negative context: every now and then news appears that someone has been poisoned by them. However, with the right approach to selection, storage and preparation, mushrooms will only be beneficial. the beneficial properties of mushrooms, as well as how to store, cook and eat them – in today’s article.

What are the benefits of mushrooms?

In terms of nutritional value, mushrooms are not inferior to meat, vegetables and fruits. The beneficial properties of mushrooms are practically not lost after processing (drying or cooking). Mushrooms contain proteins and carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins B, C, E, PP, provitamin D, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, iodine.

Ergothioneine, found in the vast majority of mushrooms, is powerful antioxidant, which can help people suffering from cancer.

The beneficial properties of mushrooms will also help in the prevention of atherosclerosis, treatment of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

Extracts individual species mushrooms help with tuberculosis, worms, frostbite, treatment of sore throat, headaches, gout, pustular abscesses, stomach ulcers and duodenum, bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases.

Scientists around the world, puzzled by the question of how mushrooms are useful, are looking for more and more new beneficial properties these amazing natural healers. It is not for nothing that medicines have been made from mushrooms for a long time.

How to store, cook and eat mushrooms?

The benefits of mushrooms will be noticeable only if the correct approach to their storage, preparation and consumption.
Fresh mushrooms need to be used (or processed) immediately - otherwise, lying in a basket, they will spoil within a few hours. If you want to keep the mushrooms fresh for 3-4 days, you need to put them in an enamel bowl (do not cover with a lid!) and put them in the refrigerator (t 2-3°C). Dried mushrooms should be stored in a dry, dark place strung on a thread, and if provided long-term storage- sealed in glass jars. Pickled and salted mushrooms are stored in the refrigerator. The shelf life of mushrooms is not more than a year: over time they tend to lose their taste properties and aroma.

To cook mushrooms, you need to wash them thoroughly and gently with a damp cloth. You should not expose mushrooms to running water - they will quickly soften and turn into mush. Mushrooms can be fried, stewed, boiled. They are used to cook soups, make side dishes for vegetable, meat and fish dishes, sauces, snacks, fillings for pancakes and dumplings (the so-called kundums). Mushrooms go well with vegetable and butter, sour cream, onions and herbs.

Despite all their beneficial properties, mushrooms are difficult to digest human body, as they contain chitin. Therefore, mushroom dishes are contraindicated for young children (under 3 years old), and everyone else is advised not to overuse mushroom dishes, otherwise gastrointestinal upset is guaranteed. Mushroom dishes should appear on your table no more than 1-2 times a week.

And, of course, you should only eat mushrooms grown on environmentally friendly soil, because they are capable of absorbing toxins and radioactive compounds at an amazing speed. Even an edible mushroom can be deadly in this case. So it's best not to take risks own life and give up the romance of mushroom picking in autumn forest, choosing a more prosaic, but less dangerous option– buy ready-made mushrooms in the store.

Eat mushrooms wisely, eat mushrooms for health!