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Mushrooms as a Source of Vitamin D

Tiffany Davidson
Mar 24, 2021
2 min read

Vitamin D can aid in the battle against Covid-19. The National Institutes of Health report that it fortifies our bodies natural defenses against viruses and bacteria. Vitamin D can also decrease the inflammatory response that has contributed to the severity of illness in patients diagnosed with Covid-19. Vitamin D is needed for the absorption and functioning of calcium in our bodies and Calcium is the main building block for strong bones. The body makes Vitamin D from cholesterol when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Other sources of the vitamin include red meat, egg yolks, dairy products, and fatty fish like salmon and sardines

When our bodies do not get enough Vitamin D then we are susceptible to fatigue, bone pain, and depression in adults. Infants are at risk for rickets with insufficient levels of the Vitamin D. According to a 2011 NIH study, 41% of adults in the United States are Vitamin D deficient. With the pandemic forcing people to remain indoors and more people adopting a plant-based diet, there is a need to consider alternative ways to obtain vitamin D.

Right now, mushrooms are the only plant food source that has a significant amount of Vitamin D. Exposing species like the brown, also called cremini, and the portabella mushrooms to UV light after plucking them increases the level of Vitamin D they contain. The brown mushrooms are the ones seen usually in grocery stores and found on pizzas. The portabella mushroom is the full-grown version of the brown mushroom species. Many enjoy the burger stuffed mushrooms. If you are searching for the mushroom that packs the most Vitamin D be sure to give the shiitake mushroom a try.