Are Oyster Mushrooms Good for You? 5 Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms

1. Lower Cholesterol Levels
2. Alleviate Inflammation
3. Packed with Antioxidants
4. May Block Cancer Growth
5. Boost Brain Health

1. May Lower Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found throughout your body and is essential for health. Cholesterol is an important component of your cell membranes and is required for the synthesis of cholesterol, bile acids, and certain vitamins and hormones. Excess cholesterol, however, can build up in your blood, forming fatty deposits in the arteries and increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Oyster mushrooms have been shown to help lower cholesterol naturally and fast in some animal studies. A study published in the journal Mycobiology, for example, showed that supplementation with oyster mushrooms helped reduce total cholesterol levels by 37 percent and lowered triglycerides by 45 percent in rats. Still, more studies are needed to determine how oyster mushrooms may affect cholesterol levels in humans.

2. Alleviate Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect the body against infection and disease. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is believed to be associated with a higher risk of conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Oyster mushrooms have been shown to possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. According to a test-tube study published in Nutrition Journal, oyster mushrooms were able to reduce the secretion of multiple markers of inflammation in the body. This could have far-reaching benefits, as decreasing inflammation may help provide relief from many inflammatory conditions ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease.

3. Packed with Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that help fight free radicals and prevent damage to cells. Research suggests that antioxidants may play a central role in health and disease and can help fight oxidative stress to reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions.

Some studies have found that oyster mushrooms are loaded with health-promoting antioxidants, which may account for their multitude of health benefits. In fact, both test-tube and animal studies have shown that oyster mushrooms are effective at increasing antioxidant levels in the body and neutralizing harmful free radicals.

4. May Block Cancer Growth

One of the most impressive oyster mushroom benefits is its powerful effect on cancer cells. Thanks to their high content of antioxidants as well as their anti-inflammatory properties, oyster mushrooms may be able to help inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer, making oysters mushrooms potential cancer-fighting foods.

A test-tube study conducted by the Methodist Research Institute’s Cancer Research Laboratory in Indianapolis found that oyster mushrooms were able to inhibit the growth and spread of breast and colon cancer cells.  Similarly, another test-tube study in 2011 showed that oyster mushroom extract had therapeutic effects against colorectal tumor and leukemia cells.

5. Boost Brain Health

Believe it or not, what you eat can have a major impact on the health of your brain and may even influence your risk of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. Certain vitamins and minerals, in particular, are especially important when it comes to brain health.

Oyster mushrooms are rich in many of the nutrients believed to enhance brain function. Niacin, for instance, has been shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline in older adults in clinical research.  Meanwhile, a 2014 review out of Belgium suggested that riboflavin supplementation may have therapeutic effects against Brown’s syndrome, a type of motor neuron disorder.