Shiitake mushrooms are an edible variety of mushroom native to China, particularly known for their healing properties. The mushrooms themselves are brown and fleshy with a curved cap that can grow anywhere between 5 to 25cm in diameter.
The shiitake mushroom has been cultivated in Asia for well over 1000 years – there is record of its growth as early as 1000AD. It was only in the early 1980’s however that growing started in earnest outside of Asia after Gary Leatham published his thesis in the Forest Products Journal, explaining that growing the mushrooms on log could be viable in the US.
Interestingly shiitake mushrooms were banned in the US for years because of confusion between the Latin name (Lentinula edodes) and another fungus that attacks railroad ties (Lentinus lepideus).
Since then the US has mushroomed to become one of the largest growing suppliers worldwide, in fact the shiitake mushroom is the third most widely produced mushroom in the world.
The shiitake mushroom has been used as a symbol of longevity in Asian countries due to its health-promoting properties. They contain an active compound called lentinan, which not only helps to boost the immune system, but also promotes anti-cancer activity (although it needs to injected, rather than eaten for this) and lowers cholesterol.
Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nutrient Values of Shiitake Mushrooms per 100g |
||||
Calories
56kcal |
Energy Value
234kj |
Total Fat
0.22g |
Carbohydrates
14.39g |
Protein
1.56g |
|
Dietary Fiber
2.1g |
Sugars
3.61g |
Sodium
4mg |
Zinc
1.33mg |
Potassium
117mg |
|
Niacin
1.500mg |
Magnesium
14mg |
Copper
0.896mg |
Calcium
3mg |
Iron
0.44mg |
|
Vitamin E
0.03mg |
Vitamin C
0.3mg |
Vitamin B6
0.159mg |
Vit. B1 (Thiamine)
0.037mg |
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)
0.170mg |
Certain allergic reactions have also been recorded, most commonly skin rashes.
It should also be noted, that since all varieties of mushrooms are a significant source of purines, which can be broken down to form uric acid, they are not recommended for sufferers of gout or kidney stones. References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
4. Fukushima M, Ohashi T, Fujiwara Y, Sonoyama K, Nakano M. Cholesterol-lowering effects of maitake (Grifola frondosa) fiber, shiitake (Lentinus edodes) fiber, and enokitake (Flammulina velutipes) fiber in rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2001 Sep;226(8):758-65. PMID: 11520942.
5. Enman J, Rova U, Berglund KA. Quantification of the bioactive compound eritadenine in selected strains of shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes). J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Feb 21;55(4):1177-80. Epub 2007 Jan 27. PMID: 17256958.
6. Shimada S, Komamura K, Kumagai H, Sakurai H. Inhibitory activity of shiitake flavor against platelet aggregation. Biofactors. 2004;22(1-4):177-9. PMID: 15630278.
7. Hokama Y, Hokama JL. In vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation with low dalton compounds from aqueous dialysates of edible fungi. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1981 Jan;31(1):177-80. PMID: 7196068.
8. Kabir Y, Yamaguchi M, Kimura S. Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1987 Oct;33(5):341-6. PMID: 3443885.
9. Okamoto T, Kodoi R, Nonaka Y, Fukuda I, Hashimoto T, Kanazawa K, Mizuno M, Ashida H. Lentinan from shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) suppresses expression of cytochrome P450 1A subfamily in the mouse liver. Biofactors. 2004;21(1-4):407-9. PMID: 15630237.
10. Zákány J, Chihara G, Fachet J. Effect of lentinan on tumor growth in murine allogeneic and syngeneic hosts. Int J Cancer. 1980 Mar 15;25(3):371-6. PMID: 7390659.
11. Suga T, Shiio T, Maeda YY, Chihara G. Antitumor activity of lentinan in murine syngeneic and autochthonous hosts and its suppressive effect on 3-methylcholanthrene-induced carcinogenesis. Cancer Res. 1984 Nov;44(11):5132-7. PMID: 6488173.
12. Ogawa K, Watanabe T, Katsube T, Miura K, Hirai M, Wakasugi S, Yagawa H, Kajiwara T, Suga T, Hamuro J. Study on intratumor administration of lentinan--primary changes in cancerous tissues. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1994 Sep;21(13):2101-4. PMID: 7944412.
13. Inagaki T, Morise K, Matsunaga H. Effects of endoscopic intratumoral injection of lentinan in patients with gastric cancer. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1988 Feb;15(2):319-24. PMID: 3257678.
Latest Health News
Addiction







