Are mushrooms a health food? We explore what this new hype is all about
Are Mushrooms a Health Food? Exploring the Hype
From low carbon footprints to potential medicinal benefits, we delve into the fascinating world of mushrooms. Mushrooms aren’t just for cooking anymore; they’re being blended into smoothies, brewed into teas, infused into chocolates, and even used in anti-aging skincare products.
Mushroom Varieties and Uses
In New Zealand, button mushrooms have long been a staple, but they’re now joined by more exotic varieties like oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, and turkey tail. These mushrooms are being used by both restaurant chefs and home cooks. Although mushrooms have been used medicinally in Asia for thousands of years, their health benefits are only recently being explored in the West.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives
Peter Buchanan, a scientist with over 40 years of experience studying fungi, describes New Zealanders as “mycophobic,” meaning they are skeptical and wary of mushrooms. This contrasts with Asian cultures, which embrace mushrooms for their culinary and medicinal benefits. Peter highlights that mushrooms should be treated like any other wild food, with proper knowledge and caution.
Mushroom Consumption and Trends
Today, 80% of mushrooms sold in supermarkets are grown by Canterbury’s Meadow Mushrooms. Kiwis typically prefer button mushrooms due to familiarity, but there’s a growing interest in exotic varieties like oyster, shiitake, and enoki. Phil Matheson, a mushroom grower in Hunua, South Auckland, notes that New Zealanders consume about 2.5kg of mushrooms per person annually, compared to Australians who eat 4kg.
Environmental and Medicinal Benefits
Mushrooms offer environmental opportunities as well. Phil is part of a start-up called BioFab, which creates sustainable alternatives to polystyrene using mycelium from mushroom root systems. Medicinally, mushrooms have shown promising results. Mycologist Paul Stamets describes them as “nature’s miniature pharmaceutical factories.” The fungus Penicillium notatum, for instance, has saved millions of lives through the antibiotic penicillin.
Research and Future Prospects
University of Auckland microbiologist Siouxsie Wilkes is researching fungi as a basis for antibiotics to fight superbugs. Historically, Maori used mushrooms like the puff ball to relieve pain and stop bleeding. Today, researchers like Chris Smith are investigating native mushrooms once used by Maori for food and medicinal purposes, such as tawaka and pekepekekiore, which may have neurological benefits.
For more information, you can visit Paul Stamets’ TED Talk on the benefits of mushrooms.
