'Mushies' prove a vitamin D powerhouse

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released findings stating that one serve of mushrooms can provide between 20 and 100 per cent of recommended daily vitamin D requirements.

With six in 10 women and four in 10 men likely to be vitamin D-deficient over winter, the report says 100g, or three button mushrooms, will provide 20 per cent of an adult’s 'adequate intake'.

FSANZ also says ‘vitamin D mushrooms’ which have been exposed to the sun can provide 100 per cent of daily vitamin D needs, and are the only food source to provide all an adult's daily requirements in one serve. Many major supermarkets are now stocking mushrooms with this label, which indicates they have been exposed to UV light post-harvest to mimic the action of sunlight.

According to the report, four in five Australians don't know they can achieve vitamin D through the food they eat, and many are unaware that low vitamin D levels leaves them at risk of muscle weakness, falls and osteoporosis.

You can view the findings from FSANZ here.