Try Mushrooms
Try Mushrooms
Did you know that everyday mushrooms contain an array of essential nutrients that help calm inflammation and support your health?
Their secret lies in unique antioxidants like ergothioneine, alongside special fibres called beta-glucans. Together, these compounds help regulate an overactive immune system and protect your cells from daily stress.
Beyond calming inflammation, mushrooms are packed with vital nutrients your body relies on:
Vitamin D: When exposed to sunlight, mushrooms naturally produce Vitamin D—a vital nutrient for immune balance and bone health that many people with autoimmune conditions run low on.
Copper: Helps your body produce healthy red blood cells and maintain steady energy levels.
Potassium: Supports healthy heart rhythm, muscle function, and nerve signalling.
Because they are naturally low in calories yet rich in fibre and a satisfying, savoury texture, adding mushrooms to your meals is also a brilliant way to support healthy weight management.
A quick kitchen tip: Always cook your mushrooms rather than eating them raw. Gentle heat breaks down their tough outer cell walls, making their immune-supporting nutrients much easier to absorb and far gentler on a sensitive gut. Try slicing chestnut, shiitake, or portobello mushrooms into soups, omelettes, or warm grain bowls for an effortless daily boost.
Mushrooms are great in a variety of dishes, but if you love soups then I have a great recipe for Gluten Free, Dairy Free Mushroom Soup. If you want to learn about freezing them then navigate to our home freezing section. This is where you can learn about freezing mushrooms and so much more.
You may also hear a lot about functional or medicinal mushrooms—such as reishi, lion’s mane, chaga, and turkey tail—which are often sold as powders, teas, or capsules. While early research suggests these varieties can support nervous system calm and immune balance, concentrated supplements act much more strongly in the body than everyday cooking mushrooms.
If you are living with an autoimmune condition, keep two safety checks in mind before trying mushroom supplements:
Check medication interactions: Concentrated mushroom extracts can interact with immunosuppressants, blood thinners, and blood pressure or blood sugar medications.
Introduce one at a time: Always speak with your GP, rheumatologist, or pharmacist before adding high-strength powders or capsules to your routine, and start with a low dose to see how your body responds.
For most people, enjoying whole culinary mushrooms on your plate is the safest, gentlest way to get their anti-inflammatory benefits every day.
I hope you have enjoyed this information. Until next time!
Emma Alexander-Cook.
