What's New and Beneficial About Crimini Mushrooms

• We want to let you know that based on recent studies, the jury is still out on the reliability of crimini mushrooms as a source of vitamin B12. This area of nutritional research is controversial for three reasons: (1) vitamin B12 is not always detected in mushrooms, including crimini mushrooms; (2) when vitamin B12 is detected in mushrooms, it is usually found on the outermost portions of the mushrooms, suggesting that bacteria on the mushroom surface may have been produced the vitamin B12 rather than the mushrooms themselves; and (3) the chemical structure of vitamin B12 found on some mushrooms, while based on the corrin-type ring structure that is characteristic of vitamin B12, can have important differences from the form of vitamin B12 that provides us with full vitamin benefits. We use one of the most up-to-date and comprehensive nutrient databases to help us assess the nutrient composition of our WHFoods, and based on this data, we rank crimini mushrooms as a good source of vitamin B12 and our only ranked non-animal source of this vitamin. And you may be getting an important vitamin B12 boost from consumption of crimini mushrooms. However, based on the research evidence, we do not recommend that you rely on crimini mushrooms (or other fungi) as your primary source of B12.
• You may be able to make a difference in the health benefits you get from mushrooms by being extra careful with the temperature at which you store them. In a study examining color and texture changes in crimini (white button) mushrooms over a six to eight day period, storage temperature had a definite impact on color, and, by inference, color-related phytonutrients including certain polyphenols. As temperatures moved closer and closer to room temperature (the researchers stopped at 59°F/15°C in their study, which is about ten degrees lower than "room temperature" as designated in most studies), discoloration and hardening became more and more problematic. Researchers speculated that the lack of cell walls in fungi like crimini mushrooms and greater activity of oxidative enzymes (like polyphenol oxidase) at higher temperatures may have paved the way for this discoloration and implicit nutrient loss. Prevention of discoloration and hardening required the researchers to take the temperature down all the way to 38°F/3°C over this six to eight day period. Since 38°F/3°C is great temperature setting for your home refrigerator, what we're talking about here is careful refrigeration of mushrooms as soon as you've arrived back home from the grocery store.
• At WHFoods, Healthy Sautéeing is our recommend method for cooking crimini mushrooms. Like all of our cooking methods, we try to focus on the best possible results in terms of taste, texture, and minimal loss of nutrients. In this context, we were encouraged by a recent study that subjected crimini mushrooms to three different types of cooking methods: microwaving for two minutes, boiling for five minutes, and stir-frying for two minutes. Results of this study showed a decrease in total antioxidant capacity following the microwaving and boiling approach, and a slight increase in this capacity through use of the stir-fry method. The authors speculated that the microwaving and boiling methods allowed water-soluble antioxidants to leech into the cooking water, while the stir-frying method (which involved sunflower oil) did not. While we cannot be sure exactly what happened from a single and limited study, the results here suggest that heating in oil may be a good way of ending up with some very tasty mushrooms and valuable antioxidant benefits.
• Antioxidant benefits from consumption of crimini mushrooms have recently been demonstrated in a small-scale study on middle-aged adults diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome. Over a period of four months, participants in this study consumed approximately one cup of cooked, sliced crimini (white button) mushrooms. Results of the study showed that the total antioxidant capacity in the bloodstream of the participants increased, and that their level of oxidative stress (as measured by the amount of carboxymethyllysine in their blood serum) decreased. In addition, levels of ergothioneine—a sulfur-containing and antioxidant amino acid—were found to double in the participants' lab results. While many people might not want to consume this amount of crimini mushrooms on a daily basis, we suspect that less frequent consumption would also have resulted in important antioxidant benefits, although probably not as extensive as the benefits demonstrated in this study.

  WHFoods Recommendations

  At WHFoods, we include crimini mushrooms as one of our 38 profiled vegetables because these mushrooms are not only found in the produce section alongside of many vegetables, but because most people have become accustomed to thinking about mushrooms as vegetables and to incorporating them alongside of vegetables in recipes. Strictly speaking, however, mushrooms are not considered vegetables because they are not considered to be plants. Instead, they are members of their own special kingdom of living things called fungi. We took a less strict and practical approach on our website when we decided to include crimini mushrooms as a featured vegetable, and our crimini mushroom recommendations are based on this approach.

  Our WHFoods optimal intake level for vegetables is 10 total servings per day. Many different vegetable subgroup combinations can be used to reach this 10-serving total. Included are cruciferous vegetables, allium vegetables like garlic and onions, leguminous vegetables like green beans and green peas, and of course mushrooms, including crimini mushrooms. In our World's Healthiest Foods Meal Plan, we include approximately one cup of crimini mushrooms for the week. While we do not specify a minimum level of crimini mushrooms in our Vegetable Advisor (or anywhere on our website), we recommend inclusion of mushrooms in your total weekly vegetable servings based on their unique nutrient composition and equally unique health benefits.
  

  Mushrooms, Crimini, raw
  1.00 cup
  (72.00 grams)

  Calories: 16
  GI: very low

  
  

  NutrientDRI/DV

  
  

   copper40%

  
  

   selenium34%

  
  

   vitamin B227%

  
  

   pantothenic acid22%

  
  

   vitamin B317%

  
  

   phosphorus12%

  
  

   potassium7%

  
  

   zinc7%

  
  

   vitamin B16%

  
  

   folate5%

  
  

   vitamin B65%

  
  

   protein4%

  
  

   manganese4%

  
  

   choline4%

  
  

   vitamin B123%

  
  
  
  This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Mushrooms, crimini provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Mushrooms, crimini can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Mushrooms, crimini, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.
  • Health Benefits
  • Description
  • History
  • How to Select and Store
  • Tips for Preparing and Cooking
  • How to Enjoy
  • Nutritional Profile
  • References

  Health Benefits

  Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits from Crimini Mushrooms

  As the world's most widely enjoyed mushroom varieties, button mushrooms (including crimini) make what can only be described as an outstanding contribution to human nourishment and health. Highlighting the contribution of crimini are their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

  As a fungus, crimini mushrooms are unusual in their macronutrient content. Many foods provide us with proteins and carbohydrates. But few foods provide us with the unique forms of these macronutrients that are found in crimini. In the protein category, perhaps the most unique protein component in crimini is the sulfur-containing amino acid known as ergothioneine. This amino acid is derived from the more common amino acid, histidine, and it has well-documented antioxidant benefits. In fact, not only has ergothioneine been shown to function as an antioxidant, but in animal studies it has also been shown to protect against chronic oxidative stress. Ergothioneine not only provides us with antioxidant support, but with immune support as well, since it helps protect immune cells from oxidative damage. Research studies have also confirmed the ability of our body to uptake ergothioneine following consumption of crimini mushrooms.

  In the carbohydrate category, crimini also provides us with unique nourishment. Here the research has focused on two types of polysaccharides: the glucans (especially beta-glucan) and the heterogalactans (especially fucogalactan). It is the anti-inflammatory nature of these polysaccharides that has received the most research attention. The glucans and heterogalactans in crimini are known to function in an anti-inflammatory capacity by inhibiting the activity of enzymes like cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). They are also known to help reduce inflammatory cell signaling. In addition, the unique polysaccharides in crimini mushrooms can help to stimulate immune function, especially within our digestive tract. Macrophages—the larger-sized white blood cells that are important for many types of immunity—have been shown to undergo increased activation following intake of crimini polysaccharides. In addition, one of our first lines of defense along the linings of our body cavities (including our GI tract) is the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Researchers have determined that SIgA can be activated by intake of button mushrooms thanks to their polysaccharide content. In human studies, approximately one cup of blanched white button mushrooms per day over a period of three weeks has been shown to increase body levels of SIgA. So, as you can see, the proteins and carbs provided by crimini mushrooms go beyond the proteins and carbs found in most foods with respect to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

  In addition to the unique macronutrient composition of these mushrooms are three key minerals provided by crimini that provide us with antioxidant protection. The first of these minerals is selenium, which is required for proper functioning of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Crimini are an excellent source of selenium. The other two minerals are manganese and zinc. These minerals are required for proper functioning of the enzyme superoxide dismutase. Crimini mushrooms are a good to very good source of both minerals.

  Broad-Based Nutrient Support from Crimini Mushrooms

  In addition to the macronutrient benefits described earlier is the extensive micronutrient support that we get from crimini mushrooms. This unique food is a ranked source of eight different vitamins and six different minerals. In the excellent category you will find the minerals copper, selenium, and phosphorus, as well as the vitamins B2, B3, and pantothenic acid. In the very good category you will find the minerals potassium and zinc, together with vitamin B1. And in the good category you will find manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, and folate. What you are looking at in this list is a single 16-calorie serving of a single food that provides good, very good, or excellent amounts of 50% of all micronutrients that we analyze on our website.

  With respect to vitamin B12, however, we do need to add one cautionary note. Throughout our website, we use an up-to-date and comprehensive nutrient database to help us assess the nutrient composition of our foods. Based on this data, we rank crimini mushrooms as a good source of vitamin B12. In fact, crimini mushrooms are our only ranked non-animal source of this vitamin. Despite the database values for B12, however, we believe that the jury is still out on the reliability of crimini mushrooms as a source of vitamin B12. For us, this area of research involves three types of controversy. First, vitamin B12 is not always detected in mushrooms, including crimini mushrooms. Second, when B12 is detected in mushrooms, it is usually found on the outermost portions of the mushrooms, suggesting that bacteria on the mushroom surface may have produced the vitamin B12 rather than the mushrooms themselves. And third, the chemical structure of vitamin B12 found on some mushrooms, while based on the corrin-type ring structure that is characteristic of vitamin B12, can have important differences from the form of B12 that provides us with full vitamin benefits. You may be getting an important B12 boost from consumption of crimini mushrooms! However, you also might not be, and based on the research evidence, we do not recommend that you rely on crimini mushrooms (or other fungi) as your primary source of vitamin B12.

  In order to round out our description of the broad-based nutritional support provided by crimini mushrooms, it is important to mention some additional phytonutrients provided by this unique food. Crimini provides us with numerous phenolic acids including gallic, caffeic, ferulic, coumaric, and protocatechuic acid. It also provides us with lesser amounts of flavonoids and other polyphenols. All of these phytonutrients have well-documented antioxidant properties, and they often have well-establish anti-inflammatory properties as well.

  Other Likely Health Benefits from Crimini Mushrooms

  Throughout our website, we strive to provide you with health benefit information that is based on human studies involving large numbers of people who consume foods in an everyday way. For the most part, we simply do not have studies of this type to document the likely healthy benefits of crimini mushrooms for specific health problems. For the most part, health-based research on crimini mushrooms has involved animal studies or lab analysis of purified extracts or purified components. But we have seen many promising findings in these non-human studies and several small-scale human studies with encouraging outcomes as well.

  Animal and lab studies on crimini mushroom powders, extracts, and isolated components have focused on two general areas of health problems: cardiovascular problems and progression of various cancer types. In the cardiovascular category, we have seen multiple studies in which consumption of mushroom extracts has improved blood fat levels, especially levels of triglycerides. In addition, there are a good number of studies showing blood vessel and blood cell protection from oxidation following intake of crimini mushroom powders and extracts. These findings make good sense to us, given the rich antioxidant content of this food.

  In the area of cancer progression, we have seen what researchers refer to "anti-tumor" activity following consumption of mushroom extracts by rats and mice, particularly with respect to breast cancers. However, extracts from white button mushrooms have typically been analyzed in these studies, rather than extracts from brown button (crimini) mushrooms. In addition, we have seen less consistent evidence in these white button mushroom studies than found in studies of other mushroom types—for example, shiitake, reishi or Lion's mane mushrooms. Still, it makes sense to us for crimini mushrooms to help lower cancer risk since their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits are well-documented, and risk of many cancer types is increased by chronic unwanted oxidative stress and chronic undesirable inflammation.

  In the category of small-scale human studies, we were excited to see a recent study on intake of crimini mushrooms and Metabolic Syndrome. Middle-aged participants in the study consumed approximately one cup of cooked, sliced crimini (white button) mushrooms per day over a period of four months. All participants in the study had been previously diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome. Results of the study showed that the total antioxidant capacity in the bloodstream of the participants increased, and that their level of oxidative stress (as measured by the amount of carboxymethyllysine in their blood serum) decreased. In addition, levels of ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing and antioxidant amino acid, were found to double in the participants' lab results. While many people might not want to consume this amount of crimini mushrooms on a daily basis, we suspect that less frequent consumption would also have resulted in important antioxidant benefits, although probably not as extensive as the benefits demonstrated in this study.

  Description

  Crimini mushrooms are known by a variety of names, and sometimes these names can be confusing. Probably the most common generalized term that you will hear for crimini mushrooms is the term "button mushrooms" since the top portion or "cap" of these mushrooms is shaped like a hemisphere or rounded button. However, most people consider crimini mushrooms to be a special subgroup of button mushrooms, and not synonymous with all button mushrooms. Most commonly, the word "crimini" is used to designate a subgroup of the button mushrooms, and it refers to button mushroom varieties that are somewhat smaller than most white button mushrooms; more light brown/coffee/cocoa in color; and somewhat firmer as well. The crimini flavor is also typically more robust and distinct than the flavor of white button mushrooms. (We have heard the description "meaty" being used in this context.) So in terms of common usage, "crimini mushroom" refers to the same food as "brown button mushroom." Another name you might see for crimini mushroom is "baby bella" which is shorthand for "baby portabella." You might also see the word "crimini" being spelled as "cremeni," or the term "baby bella" being spelled as "baby bello." At WHFoods, we use the term "crimini mushroom" and "brown button mushroom" interchangeably, and we are not referring to all button mushrooms (include the familiar white versions) when we talk about crimini mushrooms.

  Like all mushrooms, crimini belong to the fungi kingdom of living things. Fungi are different in many biological ways than plants, and we don't want to suggest otherwise on our website. However, since many people are accustomed to thinking about mushrooms as vegetables and often use mushrooms alongside of other vegetables when cooking, we have included them among our 38 WHFoods vegetables despite their proper status as a fungus.

  The part of crimini mushrooms that we eat is called the fruiting body. Similar to the formation of fruits on plants, the "fruiting body" we call a mushroom develops at a later stage in the fungus' life cycle. The issue of life cycle is important for understanding crimini mushrooms because a good deal of debate exists about the most natural way for mushrooms to be cultivated. The life cycle of a crimini mushroom starts with a spore—the reproductive unit of this food that can be found on the underside (or "inner surface") of the top portion (or "cap"). Germination of a mushroom spore begins the mushroom's life cycle, and germinated mushroom spores—technically known as mycelium—are referred to as "spawn." (Spawn can be thought of as the equivalent of seeds in a plant.) After producing spawn, mushroom growers need some medium to serve as the food source that allows the spawn to continue developing into mushrooms. This medium often involves some form of a composted grain—for example, wheat, pearl millet, sorghum, or dried paddy straw from a rice paddy. These composted substances are typically referred to as the "spawn bed" and it makes sense to think about them as the "soil" for growing mushrooms. It's also worth noting that some mushroom growers use logs to grow the spawn and generally proceed by drilling holes in the logs, inoculating wood dowels with spawn, and then plugging the holes with the inoculated dowels. Unlike plants, most mushrooms do not depend on sunlight for growth and can do well in a dark environment. Instead of breathing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen like plants, however, mushrooms do the reverse and need a good supply of oxygen-containing air to thrive.

  In addition to the many different media on which mushroom spawn can be grown, there are many different ways of creating the spawn beds themselves. These beds may be indoor or outdoor, and may involve trays, racks, columns, or mounds. The many different options for creating a mushroom growth medium, coupled with the many different options for setting up the overall growth facility, have led to debates over the most productive, least wasteful, and most nutritious way to cultivate crimini mushrooms. We have not seen any large-scale research that shows one approach to be clearly superior to another, however, and we suspect that growers in different regions and habitats have good options for cultivation that are most suitable to those regions and habits. And in general, we think about crimini mushrooms as a very versatile life form since it can be found growing wild in many regions of the world and in fairly diverse habitats.

  At the same time that we recognize the versatility of crimini mushrooms and the many different cultivation options described above, we also believe that like any food, the quality of a crimini mushroom depends on the quality of its seed and growth environment. For example, while we have not seen any large-scale research studies in this regard, we would predict that crimini mushrooms grown on composted materials that had previously been contaminated with residues of pesticides, heavy metals, or other unwanted substances would end up absorbing some of these contaminants into the brown button mushroom that we eat. For this reason, we recommend the purchase of purchase of certified organic mushrooms. While there are no specific organic standards created exclusively for regulation of mushroom production, all organic standards that have been set into place for other foods get applied to mushrooms as well. So we are confident about your ability to lower your exposure to unwanted contaminants through the purchase of crimini mushrooms in certified organic form—unless, of course, you have another way to be sure about the quality of the mushroom growing environment. (For example, you might know a local trusted mushroom grower.)

  In terms of their scientific classification, crimini mushrooms belong to the Agaricus bisporus genus/species of fungi. (And within the fungi Kingdom, crimini mushrooms belong to the Agaricaceae family of fungi in the Basidiomycota Division.) In this context, we also want to note that white button mushrooms also belong to this same genus/species of fungi.

  History

  As a broad group, button mushrooms are native to many regions of the world and can still be found growing wild worldwide. However, cultivation of button mushrooms also began far back in time in many regions of the world, and especially in parts of China, India, and Japan. Today, China is the largest single producer of all mushrooms (including not only crimini but other types) with approximately 16 million metric tons of production. The United States, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and France are also major mushroom producers, but not at the high production level in China. If all countries and all types of mushrooms are considered, global production amounts to approximately $35 billion dollars each year in terms of trade and sales. This large-scale production and import/export of button mushrooms makes them the most widely-enjoyed mushroom varieties in the world, and their popularity is reflected in their incorporation into many of the world's regional cuisines.

  Within the U.S., over 500 million pounds of button mushrooms are produced each year (including both brown and white button types). In terms of sales volume, the state of Pennsylvania produces the most button mushrooms, followed by the state of California. One county in Pennsylvania—Chester County—is especially well-known for its cultivation of button mushrooms.

  How to Select and Store

  Look for crimini mushrooms that are firm, plump, clean and light brown (or coffee or cocoa) in color. Those that are wrinkled or have wet slimy spots should be avoided. If your recipe calls for caps only, choose mushrooms that have short stems to avoid waste. Fresh and dried brown button mushrooms are typically available throughout the year.

  At WHFoods, we encourage the purchase of certified organically grown foods, and crimini mushrooms are no exception. Repeated research studies on organic foods as a group show that your likelihood of exposure to contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals can be greatly reduced through the purchased of certified organic foods, including crimini mushrooms. In many cases, you may be able to find a local organic grower who sells crimini mushroom but has not applied for formal organic certification either through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or through a state agency. (Examples of states offering state-certified organic foods include California, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.) However, if you are shopping in a large supermarket, your most reliable source of organically grown crimini mushrooms is very likely to be crimini mushrooms that display the USDA organic logo.

  The best way to store loose button mushrooms is to keep them in the refrigerator in a loosely closed paper bag wrapped in a damp cloth or laid out in a glass dish that is covered with a moist cloth. Whether you use a paper bag, a damp cloth, or a glass dish, it's worth avoiding all storage methods that leave the mushrooms stacked in one big clump. The less surface contact they have with one another the fresher they will stay. A great step to avoid clumping is to make a first layer of mushrooms inside your paper bag or on top of your damp cloth or glass dish, and then cover this mushroom layer with a paper towel. A second layer of mushrooms can then be placed on top of the paper towel. These storage methods will help preserve the mushrooms' moisture without causing them to become soggy and keep them fresh for several days. Once mushrooms have developed a slimy layer across their surface, they are not longer fully fresh.

  Mushrooms that are purchased prepackaged can usually be stored in the refrigerator for 3-7 days. However, to maximize freshness, we recommend removal from the original container and storage according to one of the methods described above. Also, we recommend that you begin refrigeration of your mushrooms as soon as you have brought them back home from the supermarket.

  Dried mushrooms should be stored in a tightly sealed container in either the refrigerator or freezer, where they will stay fresh for six months to one year.

  Tips for Preparing and Cooking

  Tips for Preparing Mushrooms

  Mushrooms are so porous that if they are exposed to too much water, they will quickly absorb it and become soggy. Therefore, the best way to clean mushrooms without sacrificing their texture and taste is to clean them using minimal, if any, water. To do this, simply wipe them with a slightly damp paper towel or kitchen cloth. You could also use a mushroom brush, available at most kitchenware stores.

  If using the whole mushroom in a recipe, simply slice off the very bottom of the stem, which is usually a bit spongy. If your recipe only calls for the caps, gently break off the stems with your hands and discard (or save for making soup stock).

  The Nutrient-Rich Way of Cooking Crimini Mushrooms

  We recommend Healthy Sautéeing crimini mushrooms. We feel that this method also gives crimini mushrooms maximum flavor.

  Healthy Sauté—similar to Quick Boiling and Quick Steaming, our other recommended cooking methods—follows three basic cooking guidelines that are generally associated in food science research with improved nutrient retention. These three guidelines are: (1) minimal necessary heat exposure; (2) minimal necessary cooking duration; (3) minimal necessary food surface contact with cooking liquid.

  Heat 3 TBS of broth over medium heat in a stainless steel skillet. When broth begins to steam, add sliced mushrooms and Healthy Sauté for 7 minutes. It is best to stir constantly for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Toss with our Mediterranean Dressing and your favorite optional ingredients. For details see, 7-Minute Healthy Sautéed Crimini Mushrooms.

  How to Enjoy

  A Few Quick Serving Ideas

  • Healthy sautéed mushrooms and onions make a great side dish
  • Add finely chopped mushrooms to a pot of tomato pasta sauce.
  • After removing the stems from mushrooms, stuff them with your favorite vegetable medley or soft cheese.
  • Make the classic brunch favorite...the mushroom omelet.

  WHFoods Recipes That Feature Crimini Mushrooms

  • Mushroom, Tomato, Basil Frittata
  • Poached Eggs over Spinach & Mushrooms
  • Crispy Turkey Salad
  • Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
  • Healthy Turkey Salad
  • Healthy Veggie Salad
  • Mediterranean-Style Salad
  • Barley Mushroom Soup
  • Minestrone Surprise
  • Broiled Rosemary Chicken over Pureed Lentils
  • Holiday Turkey with Rice Stuffing & Gravy with Fresh Herbs
  • Braised Kidney Beans & Sweet Potato
  • 7-Minute Healthy Sautéed Crimini Mushrooms
  • Asian Mushroom Sauté
  • Baked Potato with Rosemary, Mushroom Sauce
  • Sautéed Mushrooms with Green Peas
  • Wild Rice Pilaf

  If you'd like even more recipes and ways to prepare crimini mushrooms the Nutrient-Rich Way, you may want to explore The World's Healthiest Foods book.

  Nutritional Profile

  Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of many minerals including copper, selenium and phosphorus. They are also an excellent source of B vitamins including vitamin B2, niacin and pantothenic acid. In addition, crimini mushrooms are a very good source of potassium, zinc, vitamin B1 and manganese. They are also a good source of vitamin B6, folate, choline, protein, and vitamin B12.

  Introduction to Food Rating System Chart

  In order to better help you identify foods that feature a high concentration of nutrients for the calories they contain, we created a Food Rating System. This system allows us to highlight the foods that are especially rich in particular nutrients. The following chart shows the nutrients for which this food is either an excellent, very good, or good source (below the chart you will find a table that explains these qualifications). If a nutrient is not listed in the chart, it does not necessarily mean that the food doesn't contain it. It simply means that the nutrient is not provided in a sufficient amount or concentration to meet our rating criteria. (To view this food's in-depth nutritional profile that includes values for dozens of nutrients - not just the ones rated as excellent, very good, or good - please use the link below the chart.) To read this chart accurately, you'll need to glance up in the top left corner where you will find the name of the food and the serving size we used to calculate the food's nutrient composition. This serving size will tell you how much of the food you need to eat to obtain the amount of nutrients found in the chart. Now, returning to the chart itself, you can look next to the nutrient name in order to find the nutrient amount it offers, the percent Daily Value (DV%) that this amount represents, the nutrient density that we calculated for this food and nutrient, and the rating we established in our rating system. For most of our nutrient ratings, we adopted the government standards for food labeling that are found in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Reference Values for Nutrition Labeling." Read more background information and details of our rating system.

  Mushrooms, Crimini, raw 1.00 cup 72.00 grams Calories: 16 GI: very low
  Nutrient	Amount	DRI/DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World's Healthiest Foods Rating
  copper	0.36 mg	40	45.5	excellent
  selenium	18.72 mcg	34	38.7	excellent
  vitamin B2	0.35 mg	27	30.6	excellent
  pantothenic acid	1.08 mg	22	24.5	excellent
  vitamin B3	2.74 mg	17	19.5	excellent
  phosphorus	86.40 mg	12	14.0	excellent
  zinc	0.79 mg	7	8.2	very good
  potassium	322.56 mg	7	7.8	very good
  vitamin B1	0.07 mg	6	6.6	very good
  vitamin B6	0.08 mg	5	5.3	good
  folate	18.00 mcg	5	5.1	good
  manganese	0.10 mg	4	4.9	good
  choline	15.91 mg	4	4.3	good
  protein	1.80 g	4	4.1	good
  vitamin B12	0.07 mcg	3	3.3	good

  World's Healthiest Foods Rating	Rule
  excellent	DRI/DV>=75% OR Density>=7.6 AND DRI/DV>=10%
  very good	DRI/DV>=50% OR Density>=3.4 AND DRI/DV>=5%
  good	DRI/DV>=25% OR Density>=1.5 AND DRI/DV>=2.5%

  In-Depth Nutritional Profile

  In addition to the nutrients highlighted in our ratings chart, here is an in-depth nutritional profile for Mushrooms, crimini. This profile includes information on a full array of nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more.

  Mushrooms, Crimini, raw (Note: "--" indicates data unavailable)
  1.00 cup (72.00 g)	GI: very low
  BASIC MACRONUTRIENTS AND CALORIES
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Protein	1.80 g	4
  Carbohydrates	3.10 g	1
  Fat - total	0.07 g	0
  Dietary Fiber	0.43 g	2
  Calories	15.84	1
  MACRONUTRIENT AND CALORIE DETAIL
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Carbohydrate:
  Starch	-- g
  Total Sugars	1.24 g
  Monosaccharides	-- g
  Fructose	-- g
  Glucose	-- g
  Galactose	-- g
  Disaccharides	-- g
  Lactose	-- g
  Maltose	-- g
  Sucrose	-- g
  Soluble Fiber	-- g
  Insoluble Fiber	-- g
  Other Carbohydrates	1.43 g
  Fat:
  Monounsaturated Fat	0.00 g
  Polyunsaturated Fat	0.03 g
  Saturated Fat	0.01 g
  Trans Fat	0.00 g
  Calories from Fat	0.65
  Calories from Saturated Fat	0.09
  Calories from Trans Fat	0.00
  Cholesterol	0.00 mg
  Water	66.33 g
  MICRONUTRIENTS
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Vitamins
  Water-Soluble Vitamins
  B-Complex Vitamins
  Vitamin B1	0.07 mg	6
  Vitamin B2	0.35 mg	27
  Vitamin B3	2.74 mg	17
  Vitamin B3 (Niacin Equivalents)	3.41 mg
  Vitamin B6	0.08 mg	5
  Vitamin B12	0.07 mcg	3
  Biotin	-- mcg	--
  Choline	15.91 mg	4
  Folate	18.00 mcg	5
  Folate (DFE)	18.00 mcg
  Folate (food)	18.00 mcg
  Pantothenic Acid	1.08 mg	22
  Vitamin C	0.00 mg	0
  Fat-Soluble Vitamins
  Vitamin A (Retinoids and Carotenoids)
  Vitamin A International Units (IU)	0.00 IU
  Vitamin A mcg Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE)	0.00 mcg (RAE)	0
  Vitamin A mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE)	0.00 mcg (RE)
  Retinol mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE)	0.00 mcg (RE)
  Carotenoid mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE)	0.00 mcg (RE)
  Alpha-Carotene	0.00 mcg
  Beta-Carotene	0.00 mcg
  Beta-Carotene Equivalents	0.00 mcg
  Cryptoxanthin	0.00 mcg
  Lutein and Zeaxanthin	0.00 mcg
  Lycopene	0.00 mcg
  Vitamin D
  Vitamin D International Units (IU)	2.16 IU	1
  Vitamin D mcg	0.07 mcg
  Vitamin E
  Vitamin E mg Alpha-Tocopherol Equivalents (ATE)	0.01 mg (ATE)	0
  Vitamin E International Units (IU)	0.01 IU
  Vitamin E mg	0.01 mg
  Vitamin K	0.00 mcg	0
  Minerals
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Boron	-- mcg
  Calcium	12.96 mg	1
  Chloride	-- mg
  Chromium	-- mcg	--
  Copper	0.36 mg	40
  Fluoride	-- mg	--
  Iodine	-- mcg	--
  Iron	0.29 mg	2
  Magnesium	6.48 mg	2
  Manganese	0.10 mg	4
  Molybdenum	-- mcg	--
  Phosphorus	86.40 mg	12
  Potassium	322.56 mg	7
  Selenium	18.72 mcg	34
  Sodium	4.32 mg	0
  Zinc	0.79 mg	7
  INDIVIDUAL FATTY ACIDS
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Omega-3 Fatty Acids	-- g	--
  Omega-6 Fatty Acids	0.03 g
  Monounsaturated Fats
  14:1 Myristoleic	0.00 g
  15:1 Pentadecenoic	0.00 g
  16:1 Palmitol	0.00 g
  17:1 Heptadecenoic	0.00 g
  18:1 Oleic	0.00 g
  20:1 Eicosenoic	0.00 g
  22:1 Erucic	0.00 g
  24:1 Nervonic	0.00 g
  Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
  18:2 Linoleic	0.03 g
  18:2 Conjugated Linoleic (CLA)	-- g
  18:3 Linolenic	-- g
  18:4 Stearidonic	-- g
  20:3 Eicosatrienoic	-- g
  20:4 Arachidonic	-- g
  20:5 Eicosapentaenoic (EPA)	-- g
  22:5 Docosapentaenoic (DPA)	-- g
  22:6 Docosahexaenoic (DHA)	-- g
  Saturated Fatty Acids
  4:0 Butyric	-- g
  6:0 Caproic	-- g
  8:0 Caprylic	-- g
  10:0 Capric	-- g
  12:0 Lauric	0.00 g
  14:0 Myristic	0.00 g
  15:0 Pentadecanoic	-- g
  16:0 Palmitic	0.01 g
  17:0 Margaric	-- g
  18:0 Stearic	0.00 g
  20:0 Arachidic	-- g
  22:0 Behenate	-- g
  24:0 Lignoceric	-- g
  INDIVIDUAL AMINO ACIDS
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Alanine	0.13 g
  Arginine	0.09 g
  Aspartic Acid	0.16 g
  Cysteine	0.00 g
  Glutamic Acid	0.31 g
  Glycine	0.08 g
  Histidine	0.05 g
  Isoleucine	0.07 g
  Leucine	0.11 g
  Lysine	0.18 g
  Methionine	0.03 g
  Phenylalanine	0.07 g
  Proline	0.13 g
  Serine	0.08 g
  Threonine	0.08 g
  Tryptophan	0.04 g
  Tyrosine	0.04 g
  Valine	0.08 g
  OTHER COMPONENTS
  nutrient	amount	DRI/DV (%)
  Ash	0.71 g
  Organic Acids (Total)	-- g
  Acetic Acid	-- g
  Citric Acid	-- g
  Lactic Acid	-- g
  Malic Acid	-- g
  Taurine	-- g
  Sugar Alcohols (Total)	-- g
  Glycerol	-- g
  Inositol	-- g
  Mannitol	-- g
  Sorbitol	-- g
  Xylitol	-- g
  Artificial Sweeteners (Total)	-- mg
  Aspartame	-- mg
  Saccharin	-- mg
  Alcohol	0.00 g
  Caffeine	0.00 mg
  Note: The nutrient profiles provided in this website are derived from The Food Processor, Version 10.12.0, ESHA Research, Salem, Oregon, USA. Among the 50,000+ food items in the master database and 163 nutritional components per item, specific nutrient values were frequently missing from any particular food item. We chose the designation "--" to represent those nutrients for which no value was included in this version of the database.

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