I did quite a bit mushroom hunting in Montana, much of which was with my best friend and fishing partner, who was familiar with the mushrooms that were common around where we spent the summer just north of Yellowstone Park, and I relied on his knowledge whenever there was a question.
One of mushrooms that we found in abundance were the king boletes, or porcini mushrooms. You have to be careful in identifying them, however, since there are several types of boletes, some of which are edible and some of which are poisonous.
I found this on WebMD about the nutritional value of boletes, and found it interesting. I’m guessing that other types of mushrooms are comparably healthful:
What Is Bolete Mushroom Nutrition?
Bolete mushrooms are packed with nutrients. They are rich in
dietary fiberand low in fat. For example, a 100-gram portion of fresh B. edulis or porcini mushroom contains:
- 81.8 calories
- 1.7 grams of fat
- 7.39 grams of protein
- 9.23 grams of carbohydrates
- 7.39 milligrams of iron
- 11.95 milligrams of calcium
It also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, and E as well as antioxidants like
beta carotene, lycopene, and other flavonoids.
It is rich in minerals like
iron,
calcium,
magnesium,
copper,
phosphorus,
potassium,
zinc, and
selenium.
What Are Bolete Mushroom Health Benefits?
Bolete
mushroom health benefits include:
Antioxidant effects. Bolete mushrooms have high levels of polyphenols or flavonoids like lycopene, beta carotene, and tocopherol or
vitamin E. These antioxidant compounds help destroy harmful free radicals, which are reactive molecules that damage your cells and increase your risk of developing chronic illnesses.
Antioxidants in bolete mushrooms help prevent free radical damage and protect your body from diseases.
Potential anticancer effects. Research shows that
B. edulis extracts can reduce the growth of human
breast cancer cells. The antioxidant effects of bolete mushrooms help protect cells from becoming cancerous and prevent cancer from growing.
Constipation prevention. Bolete mushrooms have high fiber content. Eating bolete mushrooms can help keep your gut healthy and prevent
constipation.
Liver protection. With antioxidant properties, bolete mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties that protect your liver against damage and disease. A study in mice with
alcohol-induced liver damage shows that the mushroom B. cereus has liver-protecting effects. The antioxidants in the bolete mushroom protect liver cells from oxidative damage. The mushroom reduces the levels of inflammatory molecules and prevents inflammation in liver cells.
Antimicrobial activity. Bolete mushrooms have various bioactive compounds that show antibacterial and antiviral properties. Phenolic compounds like homogentisic acid, gallic acid, p-catechin, and others present in bolete mushrooms show antimicrobial effects. Bolete mushrooms can help prevent wound infection by
drug-resistant bacteria.
Blood pressure control. The low sodium and high potassium content of bolete mushrooms are ideal for controlling
blood pressure and preventing heart problems. Also, boletes are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which help prevent inflammation and keep your heart healthy.
learnyourland.com
Oyster mushrooms. Not a big fan, which sucks because I have tons of them. There are a few more where I was 99% sure of their identity, but I decided not to try them.
