Enoki – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Enoki mushrooms, which have the scientific name Flammulina veluptipes, are slim and long and have small caps on one end, and are highly regarded as essential ingredients in Asian cuisines. They usually grow at the base of the Chinese Hackberry tree, but are also said to thrive near persimmon and mulberry trees.

Known as snow puffs, golden needles, enokitake, and enokidake in Japan, where they are abundant, endoki mushrooms are crisp and taste mildly sweet and fruity, and grow in bouquet-like clusters. Their mild flavor makes them absorb the flavor of the meals they are incorporated in. They are also native to China (where they are called jingu or velvet foot), Korea (paengi beoseot), and Vietnam (tram vang or kim cham).

Enoki mushrooms are usually colored off-white or light-brown to gold. The white ones (cultivated) are grown in bottles and are sold in supermarkets while the light-brown to gold ones (wild) have thicker stalks and are used in Asian appetizers, salads, soups, and stir-fries. Compared with other mushrooms, enoki mushrooms’ shelf-life is not long; therefore, it is essential that they are consumed upon purchase.

List of known nutrients

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid
• Copper
• Iron
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Protein
• Selenium
• Threonine
• Trytophan
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B9 (Folate)
• Vitamin B12 (Folic Acid)
• Zinc

Medicinal uses for enoki

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a one-cup serving (2.3 ounces) of raw enoki mushrooms gives around 24 calories, 1.7 grams of protein, and five g of carbohydrates, making them virtually fat- and sugar-free. Enoki mushrooms contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which helps the body reduce fat, and thereby prevents the onset of type-2 diabetes.

The vitamin B1 (thiamine) in enoki mushrooms – equivalent to 10 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) – is responsible for the dissolution of sugars in the body, thus contributing to heart and nerve health. Potassium (seven percent RDI), while ensuring that the heart and its systems are properly functioning, is also an essential element in fluid regulation and protein synthesis.

The vitamin B9 (folate) in enoki mushrooms is good for your liver.

The vitamin B12 (folic acid) in enoki mushrooms provide for proper neurological function and DNA synthesis.

The copper in enoki mushrooms contribute to vital functions, which include facilitating proper body growth, stimulating enzymatic reactions, maintaining the health of connective tissues, and regulating heart rhythm.

Enoki mushrooms have cancer-fighting abilities.

Enoki mushrooms have anti-aging properties.

Body systems supported by enoki

The vitamin B6 and zinc in enoki mushrooms are good for your immune system and for the proper regulation of glucose levels, ensuring that the body has the energy it needs to go through the day.

Enoki mushrooms are good for the digestive system, as they contain 30 to 50 percent RDI of dietary fiber per 300 grams. They aid in digestion and peristalsis – which refers to muscle contractions that facilitate the movement of food ton different processing stations in the digestive tract – and prevent indigestion and constipation issues.

Ways to use enoki

Enoki mushrooms mix well with bacon, fresh herbs, ginger, lemongrass, seafood, soba noodles, and soy.

Where to learn more

• Mushrooms and onions contain immune-enhancing polysaccharides and phytonutrients
• Studies show reishi mushrooms benefit people stricken with a variety of ailments, from high blood pressure to AIDS
• Mushroom extracts for even-toned, hydrated skin
• Cordyceps mushroom is a powerful performance enhancer
• Turkey tail mushroom finally being studied in U.S. after 30 years of use in cancer treatment in Japan

Summary

Enoki mushrooms have cancer-fighting abilities and anti-aging properties.

Enoki mushrooms are good for your liver.

Enoki mushrooms provide for proper neurological function and DNA synthesis.

Sources include:

HealthiestFoods.com

HealthBenefitsTimes.com

LiveStrong.com