Experts have revealed the surprising reason why mushrooms should be part of a British diet in October and throughout the autumn and winter months. Mushrooms are beneficial for several reasons. They are packed full of a variety of nutrients, making them a good thing to eat all year round. In fact, they count as one of your five a day, so they are an important part of a balanced diet throughout every month of the year.
But as we approach colder weather, and a winter that is set to be particularly chilly, it might be a good idea to start eating more mushrooms for one surprising reason that actually makes tonnes of sense when you think about it. Cold and flu season is just around the corner. Although the UK has enjoyed a spell of relatively warm weather in October, colder temperatures are on the way, and many Brits are being urged to get their flu and Covid jabs. But to ward off bad colds and flus,diet and overall well-being are also important.
When it comes to combating colds and flu during the winter months in the UK, there are certain foods that are particularly beneficial. It might surprise you to learn that mushrooms are one of those foods.
This is because mushrooms are one of the foods that contain a significant amount of Vitamin D, which is essential to obtain in the autumn and winter months when we receive less natural sunlight compared to summer. According to Manger Health UK, Vitamin D is produced in the body through exposure to sunlight and helps to strengthen the immune system.
However, with the lack of sunlight in the latter parts of the year, it is important to get it in other ways. The British Heart Foundation lists mushrooms as one of the foods high in Vitamin D.
However, it is important to look out for the right ones in the supermarket. The charity advises British shoppers to look out for mushrooms labelled “high in Vitamin D” while in their local shop.
Some mushrooms will have been exposed to UV when they were growing, which will result in them being high in Vitamin D. If mushrooms aren’t your favourite, then there are a few other foods you can consume to keep your Vitamin D levels up. However, mushrooms might be one of the most cost-effective options.
Other foods that have high levels of Vitamin D, according to the British Heart Foundation, include eggs, oily fish, and red meat. Vitamin C is also beneficial to get plenty of when trying to fight off a cold and flu, so foods like oranges, berries, and bell peppers are helpful.