Shiitake (Lentinula Edodes) has long been favored by Asian people as a gourmet food as well as in medical treatment. It is usually consumed stir-fried, in soups and various main dishes. Today shiitake is the world's second, most commonly cultivated mushroom with its popularity increasing through the rest of Asia, North America, Europe and other parts of the world. The mushroom is preferred because of its exotic and distinct flavor on one hand, and on the other, its nutritional value and various medical properties.
Nutrition
The use of shiitake can help prevent vitamin B and D deficiencies including, beriberi (thiamin), cheilosis, glossitis, corneal visualization, seborrhea dermatitis, nerve tissue damage (riboflavin), abnormal growth in infants and children(niacin), and rickets (vitamin D, which boosts calcium absorption and thus plays an important role in bone formation).
Nutritional Composition of Shiitakes (Units are per 100g of fresh Shiitake)
| Component | Fresh Shiitake | ||
| Protein | 3,4 | g | |
| Fat | 0.4 | g | |
| Carbohydrate | Sugar | 3,9 | g |
| Fiber | 0.8 | g | |
| Ash | 0.7 | g | |
| Cholesterol | - | ||
| Minerals | Calcium | 3.0 | mg |
| Iron | 0.6 | mg | |
| Magnesium | 17.0 | mg | |
| Phosphorus | 86.0 | mg | |
| Sodium | 2.0 | mg | |
| Zinc | 1,1 | mg | |
| Vitamin | B1 | 0.02 | mg |
| B2 | 0.14 | mg | |
| B6 | 0.16 | mg | |
| Niacin | 3,60 | mg | |
| Energy | 40 | Kcal | |
Medical and Health Benefits
Asian people have enjoyed the shiitake nourishing bodies for ages and have been using them in the traditional medicine. Modern medicine as well enjoys the positive properties of the mushroom and has come up with more purified, concentrated shiitake derivatives.
Anti-tumor effect
Various Studies' results have shown that shiitake and its derivatives, especially lentinan and LEM, have strong anti-tumor/anti-viral effect, both in humans and animals, orally and by injection. It has been discovered that the substance works by enhancing the immune system functions rather than attacking the tumor cells or viruses themselves.
Anti-viral effects
HIV/AIDS still remains one of the greatest challenges to the modern medicine and society. Strong anti-viral activities of lentinan and LEM have drawn the attention of the medical community to the beneficial properties of the mushroom. The major viral diseases studied in respect to the anti-viral effects of L. edodesare Hepatitis B and HIV, which are successfully influenced by LEM.
Anti-bacterial effects
Active compounds isolated from shiitake have shown potent anti-bacterial activities. Among them, lentinan is the most frequently studied compound as a promising anti-bacterial agent.
Other
- Hepatoprotective effects
- Cardiovascular effects
- Anti-Toxic and side effects