How can fresh, raw mushrooms boost their natural Vitamin D2 levels?
Placing them gill-side up in direct midday sun
A unique nutritional attribute of certain mushroom varieties is their ability to synthesize Vitamin D, specifically Vitamin D2, when subjected to ultraviolet (UV) light. While naturally occurring amounts in varieties like white button mushrooms are minimal, exposure to UV light significantly increases this level. An accessible, non-supplemental strategy detailed for consumers, especially those in areas with limited sunlight, involves physically placing fresh, raw mushrooms with the gill-side oriented upward directly into the midday sun for a brief duration before they are cooked. This simple action harnesses the natural mechanism of these fungi to boost the intake of this critical nutrient vital for bone health and immune function.
