Known to most Russians, the inhabitant of birch groves turned out to be able to maintain health and, in particular, the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system when taken as a dietary supplement. This tree fungus was adopted by nutritionists – we are talking about chaga.
Chaga, also known as birch fungus, is a sterile form of the tinder fungus (or Inonotus oblique, from Latin Inonotus obliquus). Distributed in the forests of Russia, in Eastern Europe, in the north of the USA. It was in this country that nutrition experts drew attention to the beneficial dietary properties of the fungus from the point of view of modern healthy lifestyle. By the way, in Russia, folk recipes for using birch fungus have been known for a long time, but this gift of nature did not particularly come into fashion.
“Chaga contains vitamin D, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc,” nutritionist Joan Washburn was quoted as saying by Food News.
The expert noted that vitamin D and zinc play a crucial role in shaping the immune response (according to some doctors, a lack of vitamin D makes a person vulnerable to coronavirus). Potassium also helps maintain heart health. In turn, calcium strengthens bones, and iron helps to produce red blood cells – red blood cells.
According to the nutritionist, chaga contains polyphenols with antioxidant properties that protect healthy cells from the oxidative process, and therefore from premature aging.
Studies have shown that chaga aids digestion by regulating the production of bile. And also, it helps against “bad” cholesterol – this is reported by the portal EatThisNotThat with reference to recent studies.
See also: “The rules for taking cholesterol-burning MCT oil are named”