Today we are going to talk about mushrooms — more specifically, about their benefits for our bodies. And these benefits are considerable, because all varieties of mushrooms contain large amounts of fibre, which is invaluable for our digestive system and also helps to lower blood glucose levels. In addition, these wonderful gifts of nature contain significant amounts of vitamin D, which is essential for strengthening the immune system and helping to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

When it comes to fresh mushrooms, shops in England mainly sell button mushrooms, just as in Ukraine. And although this mushroom is one of the most affordable, this does not detract from its beneficial properties — it contains the same fibre, as well as a considerable amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Some of the most valuable and nutrient-rich mushrooms, apart from the famous white mushroom, are chaga and shiitake. Chaga is a topic in its own right, as it is a true adaptogen that improves adrenal gland function and helps to combat systemic inflammation thanks to the powerful antioxidants it contains. In fact, I have a personal connection with this miracle mushroom, as one of my closest relatives once even had an accident while rushing around the city in search of this product, which was in short supply at the time and which I urgently needed to treat a childhood illness. But that is a completely different — and quite incredible — story. Now let us move on to the composition of shiitake mushrooms.

Shiitake mushrooms contain as many as 18 extremely important amino acids, vitamins B and D, zinc and iodine, as well as polysaccharides that help to significantly strengthen the immune system. This mushroom is still quite unusual for many Ukrainians, but that does not diminish its benefits. Another matter entirely is the boletus mushroom, familiar to us since childhood. Of course, try finding it in the forest, and its price in shops is rather steep — but the white mushroom is well worth it. Not only does it have excellent flavour, but it also contains lecithin, which helps prevent cholesterol from depositing on the walls of blood vessels. In addition, it contains the amino acid ergothioneine, which supports cell renewal processes and is therefore beneficial for the kidneys, liver, eyes and bone marrow.

To conclude this article, I would like to mention what I believe to be the most delicious mushroom in the world. Surprisingly, it is not the white mushroom, but a completely different one with an unusual name — maitake, also known as hen-of-the-woods. It is delicious when fried or boiled and adds an appetising flavour to any dish. Its taste is more delicate than that of shiitake, yet more piquant than that of white mushrooms. It is quite expensive, but it is not the most valuable mushroom in the world, as we all know that the most expensive mushrooms are the famous white truffles, which can cost up to $18,000 per kilogram. A price of $7,000–8,000 is already considered suspiciously cheap for this VIP mushroom.

So, what conclusion can we draw from all this? Let us all go together tomorrow — although why put it off, we can go today — to the supermarket or the nearest market and buy a kilo or two of button mushrooms, or perhaps some other varieties that are even better. Then we can cook a delicious and healthy lunch for the whole family. It sounds appetising, especially with onions and all kinds of seasonings — so let’s do it together!