A cup a day keeps the doctor away...or happy at least!

While I can't guarantee oyster mushrooms will keep the doctor away, eating a cup a day will likely impress your doctor at your next yearly physical. As mushrooms become more prevalent in the American diet, more fungal research is underway in science labs all across the country.

One of my blogging goals is to keep readers abreast on new mycological studies, but before we start, it's important to understand the nutritional value oyster mushrooms provide. The information I am about to share specifically relates to oyster mushrooms. This is the most common mushroom currently growing at Dryad Grove, though we have have plans for several different varieties.

First, let's look at the basic nutritional breakdown of oyster mushrooms. One cup (raw) contains approximately:

- 28 calories

- 0.3g of fat

- 2g of dietary fiber

- 3g of protein

- 5.2g carbs

- 15.5mg sodium

- Cholesterol-free

This is about on par with what you'd find in a cup of broccoli. (Hey, dinner idea, put the two together, add some carrots and other veggies and you have one deliciously healthy stir fry!) Let's look at some of the other health benefits oyster mushrooms provide.

• Niacin - Nearly every cell in our body requires niacin to function and metabolize other nutrients. It also promotes healthy skin, supports a healthy digestive tract and nervous system functions. Oyster mushrooms contain about 21% of our daily intake needed (per cup).

• Iron - Our red blood cells require iron and one cup of oyster mushrooms provide about 12% of our daily recommended value.

• Vitamin D - Mushrooms, like animals, absorb vitamin D from the sun. Due to this, they are the only produce on earth that contain vitamin D when treated with UV light. They are also one of the best food items to eat if you're looking to up your vitamin D intake. They contain about 8 times the vitamin D found in fortified milk for a fraction of the calories. Our bodies need vitamin D for things like regulating our blood pressure.

• Riboflavin - Also known as B2. It plays a pivotal role in cellular function, and energy production, as well as growth and development and the metabolism of fats and drugs.

• Pantothenic Acid - Also known as B5. It helps the body turn food into energy. It is important for making and breaking down fats and can improve the production of hormones.

Just a reminder, always cook your mushrooms to receive the entire nutritional value. Heat is needed to break down that cell wall standing between you and full digestion. You can eat them raw, but they'll just go straight through you. Happy eating fellow mushroom fanatics!