Context

• Mushrooms in one’s daily diet will eventually promote a healthy body, behaviour and brain power"
• The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted some experts to look at the consumption of mushrooms, known for their immunity-boosting anti-viral properties, with renewed vigour.

Benefits of Mushroom

• The antioxidant elements include selenium, vitamin C and choline, that eliminate free radicals or toxic byproducts of metabolism and other body processes.
• The vitamin B in mushrooms boosts energy and helps form red blood cells. Choline, on the other hand, helps in muscle movement, maintaining structure of cellular membranes and memory.
• Minerals in mushroom include potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus. Mushrooms are exposed to sunlight, making them a natural source of vitamin D2.
• Vitamin D2 is turned into an active form of vitamin D in the body, which it needs to absorb calcium for healthy bones.
• Mushrooms can help in tackling specific health conditions, as research has shown. A 2018 study in the journal Oncotarget talked about using medicinal mushrooms for future cancer therapy owing to their anti-cancer properties.
• The antiodixant compounds such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, ergothioneine, glutathione, and selenium are known to be behind the mushrooms’ cancer-fighting ability.
• Another study in the journal 3 Biotech explains that mushrooms are known to complement chemotherapy and radiation therapy by countering the side-effects of cancer, such as nausea, bone marrow suppression, anemia, and lowered resistance.

In mid-day meals

The Government of India has advised state governments to include mushrooms in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid Day Meals (MDM) schemes.
The MDM scheme was brought in with two aims: To provide improved nutrition and to bring down the school drop-out rate. Providing breakfast takes the aim of the scheme further.

Source: DTE