Ok mushrooms reduce blood pressure. I found that out by experimenting.

http://chinesemedicinenews.com/2007/07/08/...e-in-diabetics/

Now, I was using just the common button mushroom. But it seems that oyster mushroom is even better.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2738717

The blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were significantly reduced by Maitake feeding for 8 weeks period beginning at a time when the animals were 10 weeks of age with well-established high blood pressure. There was no difference in the plasma total and free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels between the Maitake fed animals and the control. On the other hand, Shiitake mushroom did not reduce the blood pressure, but significantly lower the plasma free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in compared with the control. The results suggest that dietary Maitake mushroom reduce the blood pressure.

But here is a study that suggests button mushrooms are probably just as good

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/...80206090452.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/sophie_s...ms/s1842409.htm

Be really careful if you pick wild mushrooms, even a tiny nibble can be fatal....

http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic874.htm

The mushroom thing seems like something easy to try. When you did the experimenting, how much were you eating, and what kind? Fresh, canned or cooked? I'll take a look at the studies, too, but I'd like to hear more about your experience.
Sue

I was eating them fresh and in soup. usually about 4 to 6 mushrooms a day. I usually do mushrooms for one week in each month now.

I love sauteed mushrooms, so I guess I'll get some fresh and saute a few each day. Is it your opinion that it doesn't hurt to cook them?

Sue

According to Paul Stamets cooking mushrooms actually makes them more digestible and they are much better cooked than raw for one. Apparently cooking breaks down some of the less than desirable substances and releases nutrients for use by the body. He is one of the world foremost mushroom folks so he is probably right. He also points out that common button mushrooms contain small levels of some carcinogenic substance - so he recommends that folks don't overdo them. There is no evidence that anyone every been hurt by button mushrooms but Paul thinks it better to be safe than sorry. Apparently he still eats them too -- but he suggests that eating large quantities of button mushroom would not be wise thing to do.

Mushrooms actually contain fairly high amounts of plant protein, and complex sugars. The edible ones are really fairly good substitute for meat.

Enjoy ....

and if you cook mushrooms with garlic and olive oil, even better!