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Almost everyone has eaten mushrooms of some sort at least once. From pizza to other dishes, mushrooms add flavor and are eaten heartily by people due to their reported health benefits. There are many edible mushrooms in the market today, but one of them that have both great taste and medicinal properties is the shiitake mushroom. Used for many centuries as a medicinal mushroom, it has found popularity today in culinary dishes and alternative medicinal treatments. Native to China, Korea, and Japan, these mushrooms have been revered as symbols of longevity and health. These were documented in the early 1000s as being cultivated for their health benefits. Their existence has been traced back to 199 AD in Japan. It has been mentioned throughout history as a treatment for different diseases and has recently began to be cultivated in North America as well. Shiitake is well-known in culinary circles as being delicious and having an umami taste when dried. It is often sautéed, served in soups, or added to vegetarian dishes. In some places, such as in Thailand, it can be fried or steamed as well. It can be eaten dried or fresh, and the vitamin D it contains is beneficial as well. Taking shiitake extract boosts immune system function and helps reduce the risk of getting certain ailments. For example, taking shiitake mushrooms as a supplement or as part of a diet can reduce cholesterol levels. A Swedish study showed that eritadenine, a compound found in shiitake mushrooms, has been found to reduce blood cholesterol to healthy levels. Meanwhile, a Japanese study found that shiitake mushrooms caused increased cholesterol in feces, which points to the reduction of cholesterol in the body. High blood pressure results from the stress of everyday life nowadays, as well as from eating unhealthy food and from a more sedentary lifestyle. This can lead to complications and potentially fatal strokes and heart attacks. For those who have high blood pressure, taking shiitake extract and other medicinal mushrooms may reduce blood pressure to more manageable levels. Of course, changing dietary and lifestyle habits will also have a profound effect on one's blood pressure. Although taking shiitake extract has been shown to have some side effects, particularly when in large doses, the good taste and health benefits of shiitake mushrooms outweigh the potential risks or side effects. Its ability to boost overall health and help reduce the effects of certain ailments are the reason why it is very popular today. If one has not yet experienced the medicinal properties of shiitake, then now is the time to try it out.
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