Mushrooms are hailed for their rich nutrient content, but Elliot Webb, an expert in the field, says we can unlock even more of their benefits with a dash of sunlight.
Founder of Urban Farm-It and author of ‘Growing Mushrooms at Home’, Mr Webb has touted a light-infused secret for elevating mushrooms’ vitamin D levels. While it’s widely known that human skin synthesises vitamin D from sunlight, few realise that mushrooms boast this sunshine talent too.
He revealed: “Mushrooms contain a compound called ergosterol, which transforms into a precursor of vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. This means that simply placing mushrooms in direct sunlight for a short time before eating them can significantly enhance their vitamin D content.”
Normally, mushrooms have one or two micrograms of vitamin D, but Mr Webb’s trick could increase that by up to 20-fold, he claimed.
“Just 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure to your mushrooms can make a meaningful difference,” he pointed out. Amidst the widespread reliance on pills for nutrition, this simple tip offers a budget-friendly way to naturally boost vitamin D intake.
Mr Webb said: “Sun-enhanced mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin D, especially for those following plant-based diets. This method is widely recognised in Scandinavian countries, where wild mushrooms naturally exposed to sunlight have long been valued for their nutritional benefits.”
He further emphasised that the effectiveness of this method isn’t merely anecdotal – scientific research has validated the extraordinary impact sunlight can have on mushrooms.
“Research has shown that even exposing dried mushrooms to UV light can generate nutritionally significant amounts of vitamin D,” he explained.”In commercial settings, UV lamps have been used to enhance mushrooms in just seconds, making this a viable solution to address vitamin D deficiencies.”
Beyond vitamin D, mushrooms offer a wide range of additional health benefits. “They are a great source of antioxidants, fibre, and essential minerals,” Mr Webb said.”Incorporating them into your diet regularly can support overall well-being.”
How to sunbathe your mushrooms
For those intrigued by the idea of sunbathing their mushrooms at home, Mr Webb proposed a simple procedure:
- Place fresh mushrooms outdoors or on a sunny windowsill
- Expose them to direct sunlight for 15 to 30 minutes
- Ensure they are turned occasionally for even exposure
- Cook as usual to enjoy the enhanced nutritional benefits
Enhancing mushrooms with vitamin D through sunlight exposure is an uncomplicated and effective way to augment nutrition without resorting to supplements, Mr Webb concluded.
“This method is simple, natural, and requires no extra cost,” said Mr Webb. “By making this small change, people can increase their vitamin D intake and enjoy the many health benefits that mushrooms provide.”
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