Mushrooms' Effect as Vitamin D Supplements

Delicious and juicy mushrooms are rich in protein and are known as ''plant-based meat''. Mushrooms are also a great source of vitamin D according to a new study announced in Boston by the American Society for Biochemistry and Microbiology. Eating mushroom powders like oyster mushroom powder, shiitake powder, and Agaricus powder for the effect of vitamin D supplementation is comparable to that of vitamin D supplements.

It is reported that vitamin D can not only enhance the body's absorption of calcium, and help bones and teeth health, but also improve immunity. In the new 12-week study, scientists at Boston University School of Medicine randomly divided 30 adult participants into two groups, one taking a daily vitamin D supplement containing 2,000 international units, and the other taking a sun-exposed mushroom. It was found that there was almost no difference in final vitamin D levels between the two groups of participants.

From the results of the study, it can be seen that using mushroom powder is as effective as taking vitamin D supplements. Its mechanism is comparable to that of human skin. Under the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, mushrooms can produce vitamin D. Even after picking, mushrooms can still do this. This study also suggests that the vitamin D content in the mushroom powder is higher than that of freshly picked mushrooms. Using mushroom powder to cook and eat, the vitamin D in it is not easy to lose.