Who among us is not familiar with mushrooms? Very many people love to pick them and are ready to get up at dawn and walk, drive or take the train to “mushroom spots” for the sake of it.
What is unique about mushrooms?
They are not like any other plant products. Not having chlorophyll, they do not create organic substances themselves, but perfectly process the already prepared ones, getting them from soil and plants. It is on the basis of the exchange of vital juices and the friendship of plants and fungi. It is known, for example, that beech, elm and oak grow very poorly without mushrooms.
The chemical composition of mushrooms is truly unique. They have more protein than many vegetables, and in dried ceps there are more than in meat. One hundred grams of mushrooms is enough to meet the daily requirement for zinc and copper, which play an important role in the biosynthesis of protein and nucleic acids, in the transport of iron to organs and tissues. The amount of phosphorus in mushrooms exceeds its content in vegetables by 3 times. In content of vitamin B1 mushrooms do not concede to cereals, in the mountain aspen and boletus many vitamin PP, almost as much as in the yeast and liver. There is carotene and vitamin C in mushrooms, and vitamin D as much as in butter.
Who shouldn’t eat mushrooms and why?
It is necessary to know that mushrooms contain a lot of so-called extractive substances, which contribute to increased secretion of digestive juices. Their stimulating effect on digestive organs is higher than that of meat broth, therefore mushrooms and mushroom soup should not be eaten (or used with caution) by persons with digestive organs diseases.
In addition, mushrooms contain quite a lot of fiber (from 6.3% for honeydew to 13% for squirrels) and polysaccharide chitin, which for their digestion in the body requires certain conditions, including a healthy intestine, populated by normal microflora, which, in fact, and breaks down these substances. Therefore, you should not include mushrooms in the diet of children, you should also limit the consumption of mushrooms in older people, and all others should take into account the peculiarities of your body, so that the mushrooms do not lead to poor health.
How dangerous is mushroom poisoning and what to do in this case
There are other dangers for humans associated with mushrooms. Every time during the mushroom season there are cases of mushroom poisoning, when by mistake or through ignorance mushrooms are eaten inedible or conditionally edible, and even with a violation of the technology of processing and cooking.
A feature of mushroom poisoning is to affect the entire body, not just the gastrointestinal tract. The picture of poisoning depends on the type of mushroom that caused the poisoning. Any change in the body after the consumption of mushrooms should be alarming. Signs of poisoning may be such well-known as nausea, indomitable vomiting, liquid stools, strong thirst, dry and burning mouth, abdominal pain. But symptoms may appear that are not always associated with poisoning. These include sudden visual impairment, constriction of the pupils, heavy salivation, and sudden sweating which may be cold and clammy. Seizures, delirium, hallucinations, general agitation and a state similar to alcohol intoxication may occur.