Oyster Mushrooms Lower Cholesterol Level
 

A study by the Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition indicates positive influence on blood fats

People who are prone to increased cholesterol levels should include oyster mushrooms in their diet more often. A study by the Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Leibniz Universität reveals that regular consumption of oyster mushrooms can have a positive influence on the blood fat level. The study headed by Prof. Dr. Andreas Hahn and Dr. Inga Schneider was supported by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture as a sub-project of the Research Association of Agricultural and Nutritional Science (FAEN). Here the effect of substances in oyster mushrooms on the lipid profile of humans was investigated for the first time.

Over a period of three weeks, 20 students with slightly raised cholesterol levels dedicated their nutrition to science. One group ate 600 ml soup made from dried oyster mushrooms every day, while the control group ate the same quantity of tomato soup. In the case of the men and women who ate the mushroom soup, the triglyceride level in the blood was reduced significantly compared to that of the control group. High triglyceride levels are seen as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, or can lead to acute pancreatitis. In addition, over the three week period a significant reduction in the level of oxidised low-density lipoprotein and in the overall cholesterol concentration in the blood was measured in the group who ate the mushroom soup. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is categorised as “bad” cholesterol, as opposed to HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is regarded as a significant contributor to the hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis).

“Oyster mushrooms contain a substance which can block the synthesis of cholesterol. In addition, they are relatively high in roughage, which helps the excretion of cholesterol by binding the bile in the intestines,” explains Dr. Inga Schneider. “So the regular consumption of oyster mushrooms can help to prevent cardiovascular diseases.”
The association’s project ends in December 2011. Before this, the positive effect of oyster mushrooms had been proved only in investigations on animals. “We can still only conjecture,” says Dr. Schneider. “The precise effect has not yet been investigated, and therefore we would like to continue our research, and work with an extract from oyster mushrooms."

Meldung vom 30.08.2011