Blue oyster mushrooms grow in large shelf-like structures consisting of dense, overlapping groups of individual mushrooms that vary in color from steel blue in cultivated species to brown and white in wild specimens. Their scientific name, which comes from the Greek words “pleura” meaning ‘side’ and “ot” meaning ‘ear’, suggests that it looks like a “side ear” growing from a tree, and “ostreatus” means “like an oyster shell” in Latin. Fruiting bodies can vary in shape and size depending on growing conditions such as humidity, CO2, and sunlight.
Eleven potential health benefits of oyster mushrooms include:
Osteoporosis and arthritis prevention
Increasing vitamin D levels
Helps maintain blood pressure
Lowering level of cholesterol
Can prevent anemia
Rich in antioxidants
Provide protection against cancer
Increase bone mineral density
Regulates insulin levels in the body
They are low in calories and help with weight loss.
Strengthen the immune system by detoxifying the body
