'Magical' food Professor Tim Spector says is 'potentially a real lifesaver' for the planet

We're all aware that vegetables are a healthy choice, brimming with essential vitamins. However, one particular 'magical' food has been highlighted by an academic.

Professor Tim Spector has revealed even more benefits of mushrooms than previously thought. This magical superfood is often enjoyed in fry-ups and is a popular vegan and vegetarian alternative.

Speaking on ZOE's YouTube channel, he expressed his fascination with the thousands of species of this fungi. Recently, mushrooms have been gaining recognition as the unsung hero of winter stews, chicken pies and vegetarian cooking.

Supermarket fruit and vegetable aisles are now filled with them, from the classic cup mushroom and vitamin D-rich chestnut mushrooms to meaty portobellos and firm, fragrant shiitakes. Not only are we realising their versatility as ingredients and their satisfying umami flavour, but there is also a growing understanding of their health benefits, according to the expert.

Professor Spector said: "The fact that they're closer to animals than they are to plants as well so they're not actually members of the plant kingdom, that's crazy.He added that: " He added: "Mushrooms are potentially a real lifesaver for the planet if we can harness them right because they have an amazing amount of nutrients in them and are very very high in protein levels.", reports Surrey Live.

Furthermore, he explained that "if you leave them in the sun they actually, like humans, produce vitamin D."

Mushrooms are being hailed as a natural source of Vitamin D, according to registered nutritionist Jenna Hope. "Mushrooms are a great source of a range of nutrients and phytochemicals," she explained.

"They're often used to bulk out dishes as they contain fibre and protein but are low in fat and calories. They're also rich in a range of micronutrients including iron, phosphorus, B vitamins and vitamin C. Furthermore, their plant chemical benefits include helping reduce oxidative stress through their antioxidant activities."

She added that mushrooms contain beta-glucans and phytosterols, which have been linked with reducing blood cholesterol, and polysaccharides that positively influence gut bacteria.

The UK's attitude towards mushrooms is also evolving. Martin Powell, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and author of 'Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide', notes that the UK has historically had "mycophobia", a fear of mushrooms due to concerns over potential toxicity.

"As we grow up, we're not encouraged to explore the mushrooms in the forest, unlike in Central Europe or the Far East where it's part of their culture," he says. "In fact, it's quite the opposite."

However, with a variety of mushrooms now available in supermarkets, this perception is changing.