Update: Since this article was first published, Australia’s senior research scientist, Dr. Peter Roupas, has stated publicly that it’s fine to eat button mushrooms raw. The research showing potential toxins in raw buttons was flawed, he says. That’s good news for readers who have cancer. Raw buttons (white, brown and portabello) contain a compound that binds to cancer cells and keeps them from growing, says the UK’s Dr. Yugang Lu; cooking on high heat inactivates that compound. If you do cook buttons, simmer on very low heat –not greater than 140F/60C–and consume the cooking water. The ABL seems to migrate there, Lu says. 

Looking for some synergy in your anti-cancer diet?  Then, take these two ingredients and—no, don’t make a tea with them. Continue reading →