Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These can have various health benefits.

For example, antioxidants are chemicals that help the body eliminate free radicals.

Free radicals are toxic byproducts of metabolism and other bodily processes. They can accumulate in the body, and if too many collect, oxidative stress can result. This can harm the body’s cells and may lead to various health conditions.

Among the antioxidant agents in mushrooms are:

• selenium

• vitamin C

• choline

Learn more about antioxidants here.

Cancer

The antioxidant content in mushrooms may help prevent Trusted Source lung, prostate, breast, and other types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Some sources have suggested that selenium may help prevent cancer, but a Cochrane review, from 2017, found no evidence to confirm this.

Mushrooms also contain a small amount of vitamin D. There is some evidence Trusted Source that vitamin D supplementation may help prevent or treat some kinds of cancer, though according to a 2018 report, the effect may vary from person to person.

Choline is another antioxidant in mushrooms. Some studies Trusted Source have suggested that consuming choline can reduce the risk of some types of cancer, but at least one other study Trusted Source has indicated that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

It is worth noting that consuming a nutrient as a supplement is not the same as consuming it in the diet.

What links are there between cancer and the diet? Find out here.

Diabetes

Dietary fiber may help manage a number of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes.

A 2018 reviewTrusted Source of meta-analyses concluded that people who eat a lot of fiber may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For those who already have it, fiber may help reduce blood glucose levels.

A cup of sliced, raw mushrooms, weighing 70 grams Trusted Source (g), provides almost 1 g of fiber.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults consume 22.4–33.6 trusted Source of dietary fiber each day, depending on sex and age.

Mushrooms, beans, some vegetables, brown rice, and whole-grain foods can all contribute to a person’s daily requirement of fiber.

Try our 7-day diabetes meal plan.

Heart health

The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C in mushrooms may contribute to cardiovascular health.

Potassium can help regulate blood pressure, and this may decrease the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association Trusted Source (AHA) recommend reducing the intake of added salt in the diet and eating more foods that contain potassium.

According to current guidelines Trusted Source, people should consume around 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium each day. Mushrooms appear on the AHA’s list of foods that provide potassium.

A 2016 study Trusted Source concluded that people with a vitamin C deficiency were more likely to experience cardiovascular disease and suggested that consuming vitamin C may help prevent this illness. They did not find evidence that vitamin C supplements can reduce the risk of this type of disease.

There is some evidence Trusted Source that consuming a type of fiber called beta-glucans may lower blood cholesterol levels. Beta-glucans occur in the cell walls of many types of mushrooms.

The stem of the shiitake mushrooms is a good source Trusted Source of beta-glucans.

The Mediterranean diet includes a range of plant foods, such as mushrooms. Find out more.

In pregnancy

Many women take folic acid, or folate, supplements during pregnancy to boost fetal health, but mushrooms can also provide folate.

A cup of whole, raw mushrooms contains 16.3 microgramsTrusted Source (mcg) of folate. Current guidelines recommend that adults consume 400 mcg Trusted Source of folate each day.

What foods should you eat and avoid during pregnancy? Find out here.

Other benefits

Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, such as:

• riboflavin, or B-2

• folate, or B-9

• thiamine, or B-1

• pantothenic acid, or B-5

• niacin, or B-3

B vitamins help the body get energy from food and form red blood cells. A number of B vitamins also appear to be important for a healthy brain.

The choline in mushrooms can help with muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline assists in maintaining the structure of cellular membranes and plays a role in the transmission of nerve impulses.

Mushrooms are also the only vegan, nonfortified dietary source of vitamin D.

Several other minerals that may be difficult to obtain from a vegan diet — such as selenium, potassium, copper, iron, and phosphorus — are available in mushrooms.