8 Rarely Known Health Benefits of Ear Mushrooms

Kapanlagi.com - Ear mushrooms are one type of mushroom that is very easy to find in Indonesia. In fact, this mushroom is often added to various types of food. Ear mushrooms themselves have several types such as red ear mushrooms, black ear mushrooms, and white ear mushrooms. Of course, all the benefits of these ear mushrooms are the same, with extraordinary nutrition.

Ear mushrooms themselves have a taste and consistency similar to meat, so it's no wonder that this mushroom becomes one of the favorite types of mushrooms for vegetarians. Ear mushrooms or Auricularia polytricha are dark brown to black mushrooms. This mushroom is commonly found in Asia and several Pacific islands with a humid climate. This mushroom is rich in vitamin B, minerals, and antioxidants.

Specific compounds in ear mushrooms have even been associated with medicinal benefits. Ear mushrooms are known to be low in fat and calories, but rich in protein and other nutrients. Ear mushrooms are also a good source of soluble dietary fiber, omega fatty acids such as linoleic acid, and antioxidants.

They have remarkable content, so it's no wonder that ear mushrooms have great benefits for health. But what are the benefits of ear mushrooms? According to various sources, here are 8 health benefits of ear mushrooms that you must know. Let's check them out.

1. Improving Blood Circulation

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

The first benefit of ear mushrooms is that they can improve blood circulation. It is important for the body to have good blood circulation in order to prevent various dangerous diseases. The Mycological Society of San Francisco even states that ear mushrooms contain chemicals that can inhibit blood clotting, such as heart attacks, strokes, and diseases related to blood clotting.

Veg for Life also states that ear mushrooms contain anticoagulant substances that act as blood thinners, similar to aspirin. In addition, ear mushrooms contain high levels of iron and are popular remedies for relieving anemia symptoms. Ear mushrooms are rich in iron, protein, vitamins, and polysaccharides. The terpenoids in these mushrooms are also believed to help allergy sufferers by preventing antigen activity.

2. Lowering Cholesterol

The next benefit of ear mushrooms is that they can lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol is indeed very important for the body's health, but what is meant by good cholesterol, KLovers. However, if the levels of good cholesterol are high, it will cause an increase in levels of bad cholesterol in the body and lead to dangerous diseases.

According to the Sierra Club Pro website, ear mushrooms can lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Laboratory testing on mice found that this type of mushroom has a hypoglycemic effect on obese mice. Serum LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 24% in the tested mice.

The polysaccharides found in this type of mushroom can lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If left untreated, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in the arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow the blood vessels. So, it is worth consuming ear mushrooms to avoid dangerous diseases.

3. Treating Hemorrhoids

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Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are a condition where blood vessels around the anus expand due to increased local pressure on those blood vessels. Generally, the swollen blood vessels affected by hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum or anus. Most hemorrhoids are mild and may not even cause symptoms, but if symptoms occur, they usually include bleeding, pain, itching around the anus, and many more.

And to treat hemorrhoids, you can use natural methods. One of these natural methods is by using the benefits of ear mushrooms. According to Chinese Medicine Gem, due to the ability of ear mushrooms to improve blood circulation, they are also beneficial in treating hemorrhoids.

Ear mushrooms have a cooling effect on the blood, improve circulation, and treat bruises, which may be why they are used to treat hemorrhoids. Usually, almost 50% of adults aged 50 years suffer from hemorrhoids. Not only that, ear mushrooms are also rich in fiber, which can relieve constipation caused by hemorrhoids.

4. Losing Weight

Not only treating hemorrhoids and improving digestion, it turns out that the benefits of ear mushrooms can also help in losing weight, KLovers. This is because the content of pectin and dietary fiber in ear mushrooms is considered to help prevent obesity and promote weight loss by preventing fat absorption. The high fiber content in ear mushrooms also helps make the stomach feel full faster, and its high protein content provides energy and substances for the body's fuel.

Ear mushrooms contain the same amount of protein as kale, making it one of the high-protein vegetables. When you combine high protein with low-fat, sugar, and sodium ingredients, you are already applying a healthy eating pattern for dieting. In one cup of ear mushrooms, it provides 19.6 grams of dietary fiber.

Every day, adult men need 38 grams of fiber, while adult women need 30 to 32 grams of fiber. So, one cup of these mushrooms can fulfill half of the daily fiber needs. Therefore, ear mushrooms are a sufficient food for those of you who are in the diet process and need high fiber content to provide a feeling of fullness and improve digestion.

5. Preventing Alzheimer's Disease

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Interestingly, consuming ear mushrooms can also prevent Alzheimer's disease, KLovers. Alzheimer's disease is a condition of brain function decline that usually occurs in the elderly. People with this condition will become very weak in remembering, thinking, speaking, and making decisions.

However, as reported by the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, consuming ear mushrooms, shitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms have been associated with protection against dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The nutrients from mushrooms are able to inhibit the beta site enzyme responsible for releasing beta-amyloid peptides, compounds that can have a negative impact on the brain.

6. Managing Hypertension

Ear mushrooms are effective in lowering cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels. The effect of hypercholesterolemia can be a reason why this mushroom is said to be able to treat blockages in blood vessels, vascular sclerosis, and hypertension.

One of the causes of hypertension is narrowing of the renal arteries. By reducing cholesterol, the likelihood of narrowing will decrease. Mushrooms can reduce the risk of hypertension, blood clotting, and thrombosis. However, it should be noted for someone with thin blood disorders, as ear mushrooms can prevent blood clotting.

7. Improving Immune System

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The next benefit of wood ear mushrooms is that they can improve the immune system. A healthy body indeed needs a strong immune system. And to strengthen the immune system, you can adopt a healthy lifestyle. One way is to consume nutritious food in the form of wood ear mushrooms.

Wood ear mushrooms contain vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. This vitamin converts carbohydrates into glucose as an energy source. In addition, this vitamin also nourishes hair, skin, eyes, and liver to keep them healthy. Riboflavin also acts as an antioxidant that protects the body from damage caused by free radicals. This means that wood ear mushrooms can prevent premature aging and make your body more resistant to heart disease and cancer.

8. Rich in Antioxidants

And the last benefit of wood ear mushrooms is that they are rich in antioxidants, which are good for the body. Still with the content of vitamin B2 or riboflavin in wood ear mushrooms that act as strong antioxidants, protecting cells from free radicals and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. It also has beneficial effects on physical stress and supports a healthy immune system.

The high polysaccharide content in this type of mushroom also has several medical benefits. It prevents inflammation, especially in mucous tissues. The anti-inflammatory content in wood ear mushrooms also inhibits enzymes responsible for Alzheimer's disease.

Those are 8 benefits of wood ear mushrooms that are good for your body's health, and are rarely known. Not only are they one of the popular mushrooms because of their delicious taste, but wood ear mushrooms can also be used as medicine and provide good nutrition for the body.

(kpl/dhm)