Are mushrooms harmful to the human liver — scientific facts about their effect

Doctors and nutritionists claim that mushrooms are quite a dangerous product that, if consumed incorrectly, can harm the human body.

The harmful effects of mushrooms depend on a large number of factors, including the type of product, its place of growth, method of preparation, storage and shelf life. Therefore, you need to buy them only in a proven place, and cook them only according to the recipe.

But not all categories of people can eat mushrooms at all. People suffering from certain types of liver and other gastrointestinal diseases should refrain from including these products in their diet menu.

At the same time, One study indicates indicates that mushrooms have hepatoprotective properties, protecting the liver from the destructive effects of external substances. Therefore, it cannot be unequivocally stated that mushrooms are exclusively harmful.

In this article, we will sort out all the contradictions and consider the effect of mushrooms on the human digestive system, especially on the liver. Let's tell you in which cases their use is acceptable and even useful, and when they can be harmful and should be completely excluded from the diet.

Effects on the liver

Unfortunately, most of the mushrooms are not suitable for those who suffer from liver or gastrointestinal diseases.

This is due to the fact that these products contain a high percentage of coarse fiber. It is similar in structure to chitinous (which is found in fish scales), therefore it is practically not digested by our stomach , irritates sensitive intestinal walls, causes gas formation and heartburn.

In addition, it is important to remember that the liver is a kind of filter for our body. It helps to remove toxins and poisons from the body on time, preventing intoxication from starting.

Mushrooms (especially those that were collected in the forest) have a loose and porous structure, which is why they actually represent adsorbents toxic compounds that they "absorb" from the surrounding atmosphere . These toxins include radionuclides.

So poisoning is possible not only with the use of initially poisonous varieties of mushrooms, but even with the use of edible species.

3 useful properties

In fact, mushrooms do not have many beneficial properties for the human digestive tract and liver. Among these few properties, the following stand out:

  1. They are rich in protein and some other components . It is believed that mushrooms are close to meat products in terms of the number of protein compounds and useful micro- and macro-components. They contain twice as much protein as bird eggs, and three times more than any kind of meat. They also contain a lot of amino acids and phosphorus (which, by the way, is the same as in fish meat);
  2. Low calorie . Strangely enough, there are really few calories in mushrooms. Therefore, if you eat even a small portion of any dish containing mushrooms, you will quickly get full. It is good to include mushroom snacks in the menu of fasting days. However, this does not negate the fact that mushrooms are a heavy food that takes a long time to digest.
  3. In some cases, they have hepatoprotective properties. As already mentioned in the above study, mushrooms can actually protect the liver gland from negative effects. But the study itself indicates that this mechanism of their effect requires further study. Therefore, it is impossible to make any practical recommendations based on this study.

Potential harm

Unfortunately for all fans of mushroom snacks, these are not the most healthy foods for the body. People with healthy digestive tract organs are allowed to consume mushrooms only in small quantities. Well, people with liver and gastrointestinal diseases should generally give up this delicacy.

The harm of mushroom snacks is as follows:

  1. Complex carbohydrates . Mushrooms contain a large amount of complex carbohydrates in their composition, which are otherwise called chitin. Chitin is digested by organisms very difficult and very long. Due to this, the amount of gastric juice produced decreases, so that not only mushrooms, but also all food eaten at the same time (or shortly before them) begin to be digested with difficulty;
  2. Collections of toxins . All mushrooms are divided into edible and conditionally edible (i.e. poisonous). It's not for nothing that one famous alien said that you can eat all the mushrooms, but some only once. The loose structure of the mushroom body is capable of accumulating toxins and poisons that "hover" in the environment. That is why poisoning is possible even if the mushrooms belong to edible varieties.;
  3. Botulism . This is a disease characterized by a serious toxic lesion of the body, which causes harmful changes in the nervous system. Pathology is fatal and is most often possible when eating homemade canned mushrooms.

People with the following abnormalities should refuse to eat these forest delicacies:

  • Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and liver (including pancreatitis, gastritis, ulcers, fatty hepatosis, cirrhosis);
  • Gout;
  • Eczema;
  • Individual food intolerance.

Are there liver diseases in which mushrooms can be eaten, even in minimal quantities? We are not aware of any research on this subject. Therefore, the answer is rather &8212; no. In any case, with a sick liver, at least you need to consult your doctor and discuss your diet with him.

Do not forget about the rules of preparation and storage of these snacks to avoid serious poisoning. You can also not eat mushrooms for children under 14 years old, pregnant and lactating women.

Folk recipes based on them

Among the various non-traditional methods of treating certain diseases, fungotherapy stands out in particular. This method provides treatment with various decoctions, infusions and tinctures prepared on the basis of mushrooms.

The techniques listed below have not been subjected to any scientific research and may be dangerous. Be sure to consult with a specialist before using a particular drug. They are described in this article for informational purposes only. The editorial staff of the site does not bear any responsibility for possible side effects associated with their use.

1. Extract from veselka

This mushroom is considered the most unusual and mysterious in our forests. He is able to throw out a leg in just a minute, which grows 4-6 mm in 60 seconds. He lives for a maximum of two days.

This mushroom is extremely popular among healers, as it is able to cure some diseases of the liver and pancreas. Some claim that this remedy helps even with developing cancer.

The tincture is prepared as follows:

  1. Take 4 grams of dried veselka mushroom and pour 200 ml of high-quality vodka. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for 14 days. There is no need to filter the tincture. Every day you need to take the drug 1 teaspoon twice a day;
  2. Take 4 young veselka mushrooms (they should be in the nascent stage and have the shape of "testicles"). Wipe with a clean cloth, cut and pour 1000 ml of high-quality vodka (not alcohol!). Infuse the mixture in a dark and moist place for a month. Ideally, you need to roll the tincture into a jar with a tight lid and bury it in the ground. After that, take the mixture three times a day for 1 tablespoon half an hour before meals. The therapeutic course is 30 days. Then take a two-week break and resume the course. Do not throw away the mucous part of the mushroom, it is suitable for healing wounds and ulcers on the body, as well as bedsores.

Such recipes are well suited for removing excess cholesterol from the body, lowering blood pressure, suppressing hepatitis, influenza and herpes viruses.

2. Tincture of chanterelles

This type of tincture on dried chanterelles is used to destroy various pathogenic bacteria, parasites and viruses that poison our body. It can also be used as a general tonic. It helps to make up for the deficiency of vitamins A, as well as zinc and copper. You can prepare such a tincture yourself.

Cooking process:

  1. Clean the required amount of mushroom raw materials from dirt, excess debris and dust, dry. It is not necessary to wash the raw materials before drying.
  2. Chop the dried mushrooms so that they look like powder. To do this, you can use a coffee grinder or a blender.
  3. Pour 4-5 chopped mushrooms with half a liter of vodka.
  4. Leave the mixture to infuse in a dry and cool place for 14 days.

Take 2 teaspoons of the drug for 42 days.

Overview of the properties of tea and milk mushroom

In addition to the usual wild mushrooms, tea and milk mushrooms are also used in medicine. And many people are interested in what effect they have on the liver and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Kombucha is used for diseases of the bladder, gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. Its medicinal properties are explained by its composition rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains B vitamins, vitamin C, P, and various enzymes, calcium , iodine, zinc. This product kills almost all types of pathogenic bacteria, fights viruses and slows down the development of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
  • Milk mushroom has gained popularity among Tibetan healers. This product restores the intestinal microflora, improves digestion and metabolic processes, and eliminates excess weight. It also helps to heal wounds, increases appetite and triggers regenerative processes in the tissues of the liver gland.

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Conclusion

Mushrooms are ambiguous foods. Not every human body is able to digest these snacks. That is why it is better for people with diseases of the intestines, stomach and liver to refrain from eating this food. People with good health should also not get carried away with these delicacies and it is recommended to limit their consumption.