Your typical recipe that calls for mushrooms probably doesn’t suggest cooking with golden oyster mushrooms.
But perhaps it should.
Golden oyster mushrooms, sometimes referred to as yellow oyster mushrooms, have a lot of health benefits that make them worth adding to your diet or daily supplement routine. They are an Asian species of mushrooms that are relatively easy to grow yourself, with beautiful golden caps and a tasty flavor.
And evidence continues to suggest that oyster mushrooms also have medicinal benefits that make it a great idea to include their cashew-like taste in your diet.
Let’s look at the 5 health benefits of golden oyster mushrooms.
1. Antioxidant
Oyster mushrooms have been shown to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are an important part of anyone’s diet, because they may protect cells against free radicals. These are produced in various ways, and can play a role in cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.
So adding antioxidant foods to your diet is a good idea. Just be sure to cook oyster mushrooms, which brings out a slightly cashew-like flavor. Raw, they can be bitter.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Initial studies are also positive in identifying anti-inflammatory qualities in golden oyster mushrooms. Some studies have focused on the chemistry of the mushroom’s substances, and not at creating a specific treatment or medicine. But other studies have shown that an extract of the mushroom reduced chronic inflammation in a non-human subjects.
3. Antibacterial
An interesting discovery was made that led researchers to conclude that oyster mushrooms are antibacterial. While other mushrooms can be invaded by tiny worms that feed on them, oyster mushrooms don’t have that problem. That’s because they are “carnivorous” in that they exude toxins that stun the worms, and eventually kill them.
Following that discovery, oyster mushrooms were also found to consume bacteria, which they do to extract nitrogen and protein – to eat, in other words. Oyster mushrooms may inhibit both E-coli and staph bacteria.
4. Antitumor
The American Chemical Society is one source that cites a study indicating oyster mushrooms have natural antitumor properties.
The study isolated a protein from the fruiting body of the mushroom that in an initial test inhibited the proliferation of human tumors. The study concluded by saying that the oyster mushroom, the scientific name of which is Pleurotus citrinopileatus, is worth further investigation for its antitumor properties.
The International Journal of Development Research also cites the antitumor properties of the mushrooms in a study conducted on non-human subjects.
5. High in “Good Stuff” and Low in “Bad Stuff”
Like all mushrooms, oysters are low in fat and cholesterol, while being high in fiber and protein. Golden mushrooms are higher in protein than other varieties, and are good sources of vitamin B2, B3, and B5, as well as potassium.
Other Benefits of Golden Oyster Mushrooms
Besides the growing body of documentation on the health benefits of oyster mushrooms, these beauties have other benefits:
They are relatively easy to grow: While not always common to find commercially, oyster mushrooms are among the easiest to grow on your own. Mushroom grow kits, for instance, often cite oyster mushrooms as the easiest to start with for a new mushroom gardener. They will accept many different substrates, and do not require composted substrate, growing on surfaces as varied as straw, coffee wastes, grasses, cotton, cacti, and even paper products. In the wild, they are found in both conifer tree and deciduous hardwood forests, and they fruit in the spring and fall.
You have a few selections on Amazon if you wanted to get started:
- Back to the Roots Organic Grow Kit for Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms-EVERYTHING INCLUDED: Simply mist your kit with water and you’ll have gourmet oyster mushrooms in 10 days! Great gift for kids, teachers, foodies & gardeners – no green thumb needed! Includes spray bottle, Mushroom Discovery Book & STEM curriculum online.
- Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit by Forest Origins for Beginners – If you want a little variety, try growing these ‘pink’ oyster mushrooms. MADE IN THE USA & ALL-NATURAL – All of Forest Origins products are all natural and made in the United States.
- Root Mushroom Farm Golden Oyster Mushroom Kit– Another great option for getting started with growing oyster mushrooms. Mushrooms start in about 7 days once you begin to spray(it can last for months in the box unopened).
They are natural pest fighters: As mentioned earlier, oyster mushrooms naturally kill the tiny worms that invade other types of mushrooms. That means they could eventually be used to naturally control such crop invaders without using pesticides.
They are good for the environment: Oyster mushrooms are also gaining a reputation as guardians of the environment due to their ability to degrade toxins. That could mean they can help clean up polluted lands, while also providing a food source.
They just look nice: With caps that resemble lilies and a golden color, they look beautiful.
Final Thoughts
Clinical studies show that golden oyster mushrooms have possible medicinal benefits that make them a valuable addition to your diet.
Adding these delicious fungi to your diet can only help to boost your health, while also adding flavor to any recipe.
Like This Article? Pin it on Pinterest
References:
American Chemical Society
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf901284s
The International Journal of Development Research
https://www.journalijdr.com/antioxidant-anti-inflammatory-and-antitumor-activities-aqueous-ethanolic-extract-golden-oyster
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oyster-mushroom_b_2522084 (cites the following resources: https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b88-340#.XmFl7y0ZPkJ
https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b87-103#.XmFmGS0ZPkJ
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428
More to Explore
