For centuries, people — from ancient healers to modern chefs — have been fascinated by mushrooms. Today, they’re even considered a “trending food,” thanks to renewed interest in their flavor and nutritional value.

Like most people with psoriasis, you may have wondered whether changing your diet could help your skin condition. There’s currently no research showing that eating mushrooms improves psoriasis symptoms. Still, mushrooms are a healthy addition to many recipes because of their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s some background on the benefits of mushrooms and how they may fit into your diet.

The Nutritional Profile of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are naturally low in calories and sodium, and they don’t contain saturated fat or cholesterol. That makes them an excellent addition to almost any diet, whether or not you have psoriasis.

Mushrooms also provide important health-promoting B vitamins and several minerals, including:

• Copper
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Zinc

The polysaccharides (types of carbohydrates) in mushrooms work as prebiotics. Prebiotics feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. These bacteria play an important role in many essential body functions, including digestion and immunity.

How Mushrooms Fit Into an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

It’s important to remember that there’s no evidence that mushrooms directly improve psoriasis symptoms. Still, some people with psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases say that following an anti-inflammatory diet helps reduce the severity and frequency of their flare-ups.

An anti-inflammatory means cutting back on saturated fat and refined sugar, while focusing on healthy fats and colorful fruits and vegetables.

What’s the best food to fight psoriasis? There isn’t a single “best” food for psoriasis. An anti-inflammatory meal plan includes whole (unprocessed), fiber-rich foods, as well as a variety of plant sources. Limiting caffeine and alcohol also helps reduce inflammation. Examples of anti-inflammatory diets include the Mediterranean and vegan diets.

Eating Less Red Meat

While there’s no official “psoriasis diet,” research suggests that eating red meat can increase inflammatory responses that contribute to psoriasis symptoms. Mushrooms, on the other hand, provide various helpful plant compounds (phytochemicals) with anti-inflammatory properties.

A Potential Source of Vitamin D

If mushrooms are grown or dried in an environment that exposes them to ultraviolet (UV) light (from the sun or UV lamps), they can be a good source of vitamin D. The amount varies by mushroom type, storage, and preparation, so it’s best to check the Nutrition Facts label or ask growers for details.

Vitamin D is a beneficial part of a healthy diet. It’s thought to protect against respiratory diseases (in children), diabetes, cancers, and other health problems. Vitamin D also plays an important role in skin health.

Research shows that people with psoriasis tend to have low levels of vitamin D. However, high doses of supplemental vitamin D haven’t been shown to reduce psoriasis symptoms. It’s not currently recommended that people with psoriasis take a vitamin D supplement if they aren’t deficient. Food is the safest source of vitamin D, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Many mushrooms sold in grocery stores are grown in dark conditions and contain little vitamin D. To get mushrooms with more vitamin D, look for those labeled as UV-exposed or ask growers at your local farmers market if their crop was treated with sunlight or UV lamps.

Mushroom Recipes and Cooking Tips

You can add mushrooms to meals like omelets, pizza, soups, and stir-fries. Always buy them from a trusted source and wash them well. Never pick wild mushrooms on your own — even experienced foragers can mistake poisonous mushrooms for safe ones.

Once you have your mushrooms, it’s best to eat them within a week. To make them last longer, store them in an open paper bag. The bag absorbs moisture, which helps prevent spoilage. Wait to wash mushrooms until you’re ready to use them. And remember — mushrooms don’t freeze well.

Mushrooms come in many flavors and textures. For a simple dish, saute them in olive oil and add them to rice or pasta. You can also serve them on their own with fresh herbs or seasonings.

If you want to cut back on animal protein, mushrooms can serve as a tasty substitute for hearty meat-based dishes. Mushrooms have a savory flavor (called “umami”), which adds a “meaty” taste without the saturated fat of pork or beef. Adding umami-rich ingredients also reduces the need for extra salt. Keep in mind, though, that mushrooms are low in protein. Pair them with protein-rich foods like chicken, beans, or tofu to keep meals balanced.

Popular meals with mushrooms include:

• Porcini risotto — Add nutty-flavored porcini mushrooms to Italian risotto.
• Portobello burgers — Marinate the caps of dark button mushrooms (like portobellos) in Italian dressing, then grill or bake them instead of using meat.
• Stuffed mushrooms — Fill white button mushrooms with a vegetarian, crab, or sausage stuffing, then bake them.
• Vegetable skewers — Put your favorite mushrooms on skewers with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and squash for a colorful kebab.

Medicinal Mushrooms

For thousands of years, mushrooms have also been valued as medicine. Today, some naturopathic practitioners suggest that people with autoimmune diseases eat nonpoisonous mushrooms to help regulate their immune responses.

These uses don’t always mean eating mushrooms as food. Health food stores often sell powdered mushrooms that can be brewed into tea or taken as a supplement. Certain mushroom extracts, like chaga mushrooms, have also been used for medicinal purposes. However, research is limited on whether chaga for psoriasis is helpful or harmful.

Although mushrooms are a healthy addition to most peoples’ diets, always exercise caution. Eating fresh or cooked mushrooms as part of regular meals is a safer way to get nutrients than taking concentrated powders or extracts. Concentrated medicinal mushroom powder can cause unpredictable side effects or interact with prescription medications.

Mushroom supplements aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Always talk to a healthcare professional before starting a new dietary supplement, to make sure it won’t trigger your psoriasis or interfere with your psoriasis treatments.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you noticed any health benefits from eating mushrooms to improve skin lesions, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or any other skin condition? Let others know in the comments below.