Health benefits and harms of chanterelles — 6 proven facts

Chanterelles are one of the most common wild edible mushrooms. They come in orange, yellow or white colors, have a pleasant taste and aroma.

At the same time, chanterelles are used not only in cooking, but also in evidence-based medicine, since they have a number of medicinal properties for health. With regular intake, mushrooms reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels and can even reduce the risk of developing malignant neoplasms.

6 useful properties

Below are 6 facts about the benefits of chanterelles (based on the evidence base).

1. They contain nutrients

Chanterelles contain a lot of valuable substances. There are only 19 calories in 100 grams of mushrooms and the following components:

Chanterelles also contain a large amount of carotenoids, enzymes, sterols and other substances with biological activity.

Data from the nutrient group define the ability of mushrooms to exert immunomodulatory , anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial and antigenotoxic effects.

2. They have an antioxidant effect

Research demonstrate that chanterelles are rich in antioxidants that inhibit chronic inflammation and neutralize free radicals. The ability of mushrooms to support all metabolic processes in the body is emphasized separately.

Regular consumption of chanterelles reduces the risk of cancer, as well as a number of chronic diseases from the following systems:

• Cardiovascular (hypertension, coronary heart disease);
• Endocrine (type II diabetes mellitus);
• Nervous (Alzheimer's disease, autism, cataract).

Antioxidants prevent the appearance of diseases, the frequency of which correlates with age. Consequently, chanterelles slow down aging. The effect is equally pronounced in both men and women.

3. Fighting cancer

Polish and Portuguese experts discovered that chanterelles (especially the white species) have pronounced antitumor activity.

Mushrooms contain special polysaccharides – mannans, which, in combination with antioxidants, prevent the appearance of any malignant processes in the body.

The ability of medicinal mushrooms to suppress the growth and division of malignant cells and prevent tumor metastasis is also emphasized.

Additionally, chanterelles have an increased tropicity to malignant epithelial cells of the large intestine and skin.

4. Increase resistance to hypoxia

According to the data Iranian scientists, chanterelles have antihypoxic activity, that is, they increase the viability of body tissues in conditions of reduced oxygen delivery.

Are especially illustrative experiments on mice . The introduction of mushroom extract into the body of rodents in a state of hypoxia extended life expectancy by almost 2 times (55 minutes instead of 28).

Considering the properties described above, chanterelles can be an extremely useful product in the course of diseases associated with partial vascular obstruction due to the presence on their walls atherosclerotic plaques (chronic cerebral ischemia, coronary heart disease, microcirculation disorders in the lower extremities in diabetes mellitus, etc.).

5. They have an anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect

Chanterelles, due to their bactericidal and antioxidant effects, are able to reduce the severity of inflammatory changes in tissues and accelerate the healing of any wounds.

Medicinal mushrooms block the production of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is involved in the development of pain and inflammation. Therefore, they can be used to eliminate any pain syndrome in the body and to stop inflammatory changes (for example, in arthritis, dental or bone diseases).

Local application of ointment based on 2% chanterelle extract to the skin accelerates the healing of wound defects by 30-45%. Scientists recommend including such a remedy in the standard of care for patients with severe skin lesions.

6. They reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood

British scientists discovered the ability of chanterelles to reduce the concentration of cholesterol (as well as one of its atherogenic fractions – LDL) in the blood.

The mechanism of action is not fully understood. It is assumed that mushrooms block the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver.

As a result, the risk of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries and the development of many diseases associated with atherosclerosis decreases: coronary heart disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, strokes, myocardial infarction, etc.

Chanterelles are recommended for use by the elderly in order to prevent the development of the most common cardiovascular diseases, as well as to reduce the risk of disability and death from them.

Harm and contraindications

Chanterelles are considered safe mushrooms. But they also have contraindications, and, in rare cases, can harm a person.

When they are used, the following side effects may develop:

1. Poisoning. Mushrooms are able to accumulate harmful substances (mainly heavy metals) from the soil and the surrounding air. Their ingestion can lead to intoxication and disorders digestion .
2. Dyspeptic disorders. Mushrooms are rich fiber , which, if consumed excessively, can cause diarrhea, nausea (less often – vomiting), bloating, increased gas production. Chanterelles also have a slight irritating effect on the mucous membranes, which can worsen the course of gastritis, duodenitis or peptic ulcer disease.
3. Allergic reactions. Can be caused by hypersensitivity of the human body to fungal proteins and manifest themselves mainly in mild form (skin reactions).

It is recommended to include chanterelles in the diet of pregnant women with extreme caution due to the lack of clinical data regarding their effects on fetal health.

Ways of using

Chanterelles are widespread in the culinary business, there are many ways to use them. Mushrooms can be fried, stewed, baked in the oven, boiled, pickled, salted. But the most popular are dried chanterelles.

They are also used to make healing remedies. Let's consider one of the most common recipes in folk medicine – tincture.

Tincture on chanterelles

The recipe will require:

• 200 ml of vodka;
• 1 tbsp. l. raw chanterelles or 20 grams of dry ones.

Cooking method:

1. Place the mushrooms in a glass container.
2. Add vodka, mix well. Close the lid tightly.
3. Put in any dark place out of direct sunlight.
4. The tincture is ready.

Tincture of chanterelles should be taken 1-2 tsp per day (after shaking the vessel) for no more than 3-4 months.

Conclusion

1. Thus, chanterelles are valuable medicinal mushrooms. They have a pleasant taste and aroma, and also contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and antioxidants.
2. Mushrooms can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular and endocrine disorders, prevent the appearance of malignant neoplasms and improve the functioning of all organs in conditions of hypoxia.
3. Chanterelles are recommended for use by people of older age groups.