Italian Oyster

Sold by the 1/2 lb

Oyster mushroom popularity has increased because of the taste and their healthful constituents. Let’s take a look at two areas of health where the oyster mushroom can help.

Hypertension: We know that hypertension is a major cause of death in the US. Studies have shown that the Italian oyster mushroom can help with high blood pressure concerns. Healing Mushrooms discusses why the Italian oyster mushroom may be helpful with high blood pressure.

“Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a natural biological molecule that leads to constriction of the arteries. The pharmaceutical industry has developed drugs that inhibit ACE, and they are used as a treatment for hypertension. Pleurotus pulmonarius mycelium protein extracts have been explored in vitro for their use as an ACE inhibitor. Using Pleurotus pulmonarius mycelial water extracts, three proteins were identified as having ACE inhibitory effects.”

This information implies that the Italian oyster mushroom has the ability to help people lower high blood pressure and protect against hypertension, which is a significant issue in this country. Next, let’s look at antioxidants and the Italian oyster mushroom.

Antioxidants: Biological molecules can become oxidized within our bodies and this oxidation can lead to an array of illnesses, from arthritis to cancer and numerous neurological conditions. Using antioxidants in our diets is one natural way to help modify these effects. Studies have shown that the Italian oyster mushroom, and other oyster mushrooms as well, have antioxidant properties. Catalase, also referred to as CAT, is found in P. pulmonarius.

According to Science Direct, “CAT is a common antioxidant enzyme present in almost all living tissues and responsible for the degradation or reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen using either iron or manganese as a cofactor.” A study entitled Nutritional qualities and antioxidant activity of three edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) found that P. pulmonarius had the highest amount of CAT than other oyster mushrooms tested, including P. Florida and P. citrinopileatus.

The freshness and quality of locally produced oyster mushrooms can be far superior to what is found in most grocery stores (hint hint hint).