Composition and calorie content
Honey mushrooms are popular edible mushrooms of the Basidiomycetes division. They got their name due to the fact that they grow at the foot of tree stumps. Mushrooms are found in whole families. They live in meadows and forest areas. The diameter of the mushroom cap varies from 2 to 10 cm. The height of the mushroom rarely exceeds 15 cm.
Honey mushrooms belong to the edible category of mushrooms. Despite their high nutritional value, they are low in calories. 100 g of product contains only 22 kcal. Honey mushrooms contain the following beneficial substances:
- vitamins of groups C, E and B;
- chitin;
- monosaccharides;
- ash;
- proteins;
- minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium, sodium, calcium);
- alimentary fiber;
- disaccharides.
Mushrooms contain natural sugars, which act as a powerful source of energy.
Vitamins in the product take part in metabolic processes. By replenishing their supply naturally, the functioning of all vital organs improves. Ascorbic acid provides antioxidant properties, which protects the body from the negative influence of the environment.
Iron plays an important role in the formation of homeostasis. Therefore, its intake in mushrooms is extremely important for the circulatory system. Regular consumption of the product reduces the risk of developing anemia and improves well-being.
Attention! Due to its chitin content, the product helps remove fat from the body, which is important for overweight people.
Mushroom calorie content
Honey mushrooms are considered a very healthy food product. They are added to various dishes. Mushrooms are stewed, pickled, salted and boiled. The main thing is to withstand the preparation time of this product in order to avoid negative consequences when consumed.
Due to their low calorie content, mushrooms can be used even by those who are on a diet. Honey mushrooms are not capable of overloading the human body with unnecessary extra substances.
Table - Characteristics of calorie content of the product in different volumes
Volume | kcal |
per 100 grams of product | 22 |
in 1 tsp. | 1,98 |
in 1 tbsp. l. | 3,52 |
in 1 glass | 48,4 |
Although the product is low in calories, it is very nutritious. Proof of this is that honey mushrooms contain quickly digestible proteins.
Health benefits of honey mushrooms
When used correctly, honey mushrooms are very beneficial for the body. They contain a whole complex of minerals and vitamins. They are often introduced into the diet by vegetarians and people trying to lose weight. They also contain natural antibiotics that can be used to treat certain diseases.
Beneficial properties also include:
- strengthening vascular walls;
- eliminating constipation;
- help with insomnia and increased anxiety;
- removing toxins and waste from the body;
- normalization of the thyroid gland;
- stimulation of new cell growth;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- positive effect on the condition of nails and hair;
- antimicrobial effect;
- prevention of malignant tumors.
The antimicrobial properties of the product help fight Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The immunomodulatory effect promotes speedy recovery after aggressive drug treatment. In addition, the product produces a general tonic effect. It accelerates metabolic processes and promotes the removal of harmful substances.
For women
The beneficial properties of honey mushrooms are most pronounced in relation to the female body. The vitamin-mineral complex in their composition has a positive effect on the functioning of the reproductive system. When consumed regularly, mushrooms normalize hormonal levels and have a rejuvenating effect. In addition, their presence in the diet has a positive effect on your figure.
For men
Dishes made from honey mushrooms are no less useful for men. Their main advantage is the protein content necessary to maintain excellent physical shape. The vitamins in the product replenish energy reserves and increase the body's endurance. Mature men are recommended to use it to reduce cholesterol levels and normalize heart function.
Due to the possible presence of toxins, the product is subjected to careful heat treatment
During pregnancy
Women in honey mushroom position should consume in limited quantities. It is important to pay special attention to the heat treatment of the product. It is advisable to eat mushrooms stewed or boiled. If a negative reaction occurs, the product should be excluded from the diet.
When breastfeeding
During the lactation period, honey mushrooms are introduced into the diet only after the child turns 4 months old. The product should not be abused. The first portion should be minimal. After consuming it, it is necessary to monitor the reaction of the child’s body. If there is no allergy, then the serving size can be increased.
Comment! Some varieties of mushrooms are deadly, so it is extremely important to be able to distinguish them from other species.
For children
It is permissible to give honey mushrooms to children only over the age of 7 years. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing side effects such as indigestion. With moderate but regular use at school age, honey mushrooms have the following effects on the body:
- stabilization of emotional state;
- normalization of vision;
- strengthening the immune system;
- activation of brain activity.
When losing weight
The beneficial properties of mushrooms are relevant in the process of losing weight. Even when fried, the product is not high in calories. It can be consumed both for lunch and dinner. In addition, mushrooms cleanse the body of toxins, stimulating metabolic processes. But it is important to remember that in case of chronic diseases of the digestive system, they may not give the desired result.
Recommended reading: Benefits of boiled beets for the body
Useful Features
The most complete benefits are manifested in a fresh product; after drying and freezing, the beneficial characteristics decrease. Therefore, in order for the benefits of honey mushrooms to be preserved, it is advisable to cook and eat them immediately after collection, without putting them off for later.
The positive impact is as follows:
- strengthening the body's defenses, preventing heart and vascular diseases;
- stabilization of general condition;
- normalization of the thyroid gland;
- increased hemoglobin levels;
- cholesterol reduction.
The product is useful for intestinal problems, as it has laxative properties.
What are the benefits of frozen honey mushrooms?
Freezing allows you to ensure the preservation of mushrooms for a long time. For harvesting honey mushrooms, the most preferable method is shock freezing. It allows you to preserve the beneficial properties and structure of the product. Defrosting is carried out naturally. It is customary to boil frozen mushrooms before eating. Most often they are used to prepare soup or main courses.
Before freezing, mushrooms must be cleared of soil and forest debris.
The use of honey mushrooms in folk medicine
Honey mushrooms are used not only in cooking, but also in alternative medicine. This method of treatment is called fungotherapy. In terms of their effect on the body, mushrooms are not inferior to medicinal herbs. The medicine is prepared from dried honey mushrooms. There are several ways to prepare it. The most widespread are tinctures and decoctions. For certain diseases they are used as a compress. The effectiveness of mushrooms in folk medicine is observed in relation to the following diseases:
- infertility;
- avitaminosis;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- malignant formations;
- pathologies of the thyroid gland;
- eczema;
- diabetes.
According to medical research, the product contains flammulin, which is effective against cancer. It is used to fight sarcoma. For cardiovascular diseases, the product helps improve well-being without noticeable side effects. But we must remember that the use of honey mushrooms for medicinal purposes does not exclude the need for drug treatment.
Harm of honey mushrooms and contraindications
It is necessary to know not only about the benefits, but also the possible harm of honey mushrooms. If prepared incorrectly, the dish can cause food poisoning. To avoid this, boil the mushrooms for half an hour. If consumed in excess, the product may cause diarrhea. Contraindications include the following:
- renal failure;
- hypertension;
- age under 7 years;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- digestive disorders.
Potential Harm
Honey mushrooms, the benefits and harms of which are constantly discussed, should be eaten with caution. Too frequent consumption can lead to problems with the pancreas or even poisoning by toxins. False varieties cause severe harm to a weak stomach and cause diarrhea.
Who should not use it?
It is advisable for some categories of people to permanently or temporarily stop eating mushrooms. You should not use them:
- pregnant women, during lactation;
- patients with gastrointestinal diseases;
- children 7-10 years old, up to 13 years old small portions are allowed;
- for allergy sufferers, with individual intolerance;
- hypertensive patients, heart patients.
You can seriously harm your health if:
- eat mushrooms raw;
- consume a lot of this product if you have a weak stomach;
- confuse the false variety with the real one.
The inedible type is easy to recognize by the color of the cap - there are bright spots on it. In real mushrooms the plates are white, in false ones they differ in color - purple, pink, yellow, brown.
Did you like our article? Share with us interesting recipes for making honey mushrooms.
Selection and storage of honey mushrooms
Experts recommend collecting honey mushrooms yourself. In this case, it is important to know how to distinguish poisonous specimens from edible ones. The latter have a kind of thin film ring on the stem. The pulp is creamy or pale yellow. The height of the stem should not exceed 6 cm. Collection of honey mushrooms begins in June and ends in October. Wormy and rotten specimens cannot be collected, as they can infect other mushrooms.
When purchasing mushrooms, pay special attention to the date of collection. Fruiting bodies should not be excessively stuck together. The presence of a large amount of ice in the pack indicates that the product has been re-frozen several times. It is better not to buy such copies.
It is advisable to eat fresh honey mushrooms as quickly as possible. The longer they are stored, the more toxins they accumulate. The optimal period of time in the refrigerator is a day. The shelf life of pickled mushrooms is 6 months. Salted mushrooms retain their properties throughout the year. In dried form, the product can be used throughout the year.
Important! Sometimes dried honey mushroom powder is used to remove warts.
Contraindications for use
Some people have an individual intolerance to honey mushrooms or one type of them. This manifests itself in the form of hives, choking, fainting, and nausea. If these symptoms appear, you should stop eating mushrooms.
Contraindications:
- salted honey mushrooms retain fluid in the body, which will cause significant harm to hypertensive patients and people suffering from kidney diseases;
- It is harmful to indulge in mushrooms for people suffering from enterocolitis and colitis;
- in case of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, honey mushrooms can cause exacerbations, in this case they do not bring any benefit;
- people suffering from joint disease will be harmed by the high content of purine substances in honey mushrooms;
- In preschool children, consumption of mushrooms can cause irreparable harm to the body.
Edible honey mushrooms are harmful only in the cases described above; in others, their benefits are undeniable.