What Are Portobello Mushrooms?
Portobello Mushrooms is an edible fungus that belongs to Agaricus bisporus. They are dark brown and the largest among all the mushrooms of this species. These large mushrooms are meaty that have a rich, and savory flavor. You can enjoy these mushrooms broiled or grilled. Moreover, they are a good substitute for meat, and for this reason, they are widely used in sandwiches or burgers as a vegan patty.
Portobello mushrooms which are also called portabella grow around 6 inches. It is available all around the year. When it reaches the maturity level, the caps fully open and expose all the gills. As a result, moisture goes away making the mushroom meaty and rich in flavor.
Health Benefits Of Portobello Mushroom
“Medicinal Mushrooms” is another name for Portobello Mushrooms as they help to fight cancers and boost immune systems. It is a great substitute for meat and contains less amount of calories. They contain phytochemicals which are l-ergothioneine and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) that helps to prevent cancer and work as an anti-aging product.
Let's see the health benefits of Portobello Mushroom in more detail:
Lowers the risk of cancer
The presence of phytochemicals in Portobello mushrooms helps in curing cancer. They create a positive impact on the growth of healthy cells, death of cancer cells, lipid metabolism, etc. Also, CLA in Portobello mushrooms takes part in cell proliferation and kills the cancerous cells.
Moreover, research was carried out on mice to cure prostate tumors. At the end of the study, it was found that this mushroom helps to reduce the size of prostate tumors.
Contains Antioxidants And Natural Anti-Inflammatories
Ergothioneine is a food-derived amino acid that aids cognitive function, works as an antioxidant, and slows down aging. Portobello Mushroom is one of the best sources of l-ergothioneine (ergo). Studies have shown that as people grow old, ergo levels go lower. A low level of ergo can lead to many chronic inflammatory diseases. Mushrooms are the only fungi that can produce ergothioneine naturally that humans can consume without any fear.
Meat Substitute
Nowadays, a lot of people are becoming vegetarians. Mushrooms are widely used as a substitute for vegan meat. In addition, Portobello mushrooms have a meaty texture that gives the exact same taste as meat. Not to mention, the mushroom has low calories, sodium, or fat and is free from nuts, soy, or dairy but is high in protein. If you want to follow a diet, you can easily include mushrooms in your meals.
Source Of Vitamin B
Portobello mushrooms are a great source of vitamin B. Vitamin b3 (niacin) and vitamin b2 (riboflavin) are found in high amounts in this mushroom. These vitamins will help you to maintain cognitive health and maintain high energy levels even if you do not intake non-vegan products. Moreover, niacin helps to keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check and supports the functions of the cardiovascular system.
So, Can You Eat Portobello Mushroom Raw?
Yes, you can eat Portobello mushrooms raw. But raw mushrooms have toxic and harmful carcinogens that can be hard for people to digest. Dr. Andrew Weil strongly advises to not eat mushrooms without cooking. Mushrooms have a strong outer wall that makes them difficult to digest.
Sauteing, grilling, or broiling the mushrooms at a high temperature breaks the toxins and releases the beneficial nutrients. However, some people prefer to eat raw mushrooms because of their earthy flavor.
Surprisingly, mushrooms can create negative effects on you. You can be affected by the poisonous mushrooms which can cause short-term vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, etc. in the end, it is better to eat the mushrooms after cooking.
Ways to Eat Portobello Mushrooms Raw
Portobello Mushrooms can be added to wraps, salads, sandwiches, etc. it has a chewy and earthy texture when it is taken raw. This mushroom adds a mild flavor to the dish and tastes slightly sweet.
Remove the stems of the mushroom and dark brown gills from the mushroom. Wash them thoroughly and then cut them into thin slices. Add the slices to your wraps or sandwiches and enjoy your healthy meal.
