We love these fabulous fungi because they’re delicious cooked or raw. But research now shows that mushrooms can magically help treat many dreaded diseases including diabetes, which is reaching epidemic proportions in America.

In fact, there is a research center dedicated to analyzing and testing the compounds in mushrooms that have the maximum health benefits. It’s called the Mushroom Research Center located in Penn State College of Agricultural Science. The 6,552 square foot facility hosts staff and students who research the growth and development of a variety of mushroom types.

Dr. Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., tells Newsmax that mushrooms have been well documented for their medicinal purposes for thousands of years.

“In the Orient, they were believed to prevent aging and improving all over health and wellness,” she says. “The ancients explained this effect by saying that medicinal mushrooms increased ‘chi,’ or life energy.”

According to Mushrooms Canada, mushrooms are powerful tools to help prevent Type 2 diabetes that can lead to serious health complications that include heart disease, blindness, kidney damage and erectile dysfunction. 

Because mushrooms contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, they help regulate blood sugar levels, says the organization. And since mushrooms are very low on the glycemic scare, they don’t make blood sugar levels rise as carbohydrate-rich foods, like bread and pasta, can.

Since Type 2 diabetes is often triggered by obesity — thus the catch phrase “diabesity” — mushrooms are an ideal low-calorie food to fill you up without causing weight gain. They also have a high-water content and are low in fat which helps you stay feeling fuller longer so you don’t binge on high-calorie snacks.

According to a research article published in Penn State News, a serving of white button mushrooms daily changed the gut bacteria of mice, producing short chain fatty acids that help manage glucose production. The results, revealed last year, may pave the way for new ways to treat and manage diabetes, harnessing the magic of mushrooms. For humans, a normal serving size is 3 ounces said the researchers, who suggest that mushrooms act as “prebiotics” encouraging the growth of friendly bacteria in the gut.

Organic facts lists more health benefits of mushrooms:

• Fight cancer: Mushrooms contain selenium, a mineral that’s been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant powers. Australian Mushrooms reports that one study from the University of Australia showed that women who ate an average of only 10 grams — half a button mushroom — daily had a whopping 65% lower risk of breast cancer.
• Lower cholesterol. This versatile vegetable contains lean protein and no cholesterol or fat. The fiber helps to lower cholesterol levels.
• Improve bone health. The calcium in mushrooms promotes good bone health, thus reducing your risk of osteoporosis.
• Boost immune function. Mushrooms contain a powerful antioxidant called ergothioneine that helps protect our cells against free radical damage. They also have natural antibiotics that inhibit the growth of infections.
• Lower blood pressure. Potassium, a mineral found in mushrooms, helps regulate blood pressure as well as increase cognitive function. One type of mushroom, the maitake, is particularly beneficial, says Dr. Kamhi. “The maitake mushroom is highly potent and has effective medicinal benefits,” she tells Newsmax. “It contains beta-glucan, a polysaccharide that’s not only effective in treating high blood pressure, but also in improving overall well-being and health.”