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October Means Pink & Pink & Mushrooms

October 1, 2013

Happy October Salties! Not only is it my birth month (the 8th – such a fine number & an equal – this is a big thing in my life…. I think the correct term would be OCD). Besides all that, there is another super important fact about October – it just so happens to be Breast Cancer awareness month – the importance of this for all the ladies out there is on a high level. Awareness is key but I don’t need to tell you that.

It really is no secret that food & nutrition can play a huge role in preventing certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. One of the foods highlighted in such studies – the not so humble mushroom. Despite the little morsels holding their own in any dish, the high vitamin & mineral properties, as well as being a source of polysaccharides, in particular beta-glucans, which is reported to stimulate the immune system by the stimulating effect on natural killer (NK) cell activity. NK cells are specialised white blood cells that spontaneously kill pathogen infected & tumour cells, making them a key component of the immune system. Research has shown that women who eat on average 1 mushroom per day (roughly 10g) have half the risk of developing breast cancer.

ImageClearly the fungi has caused enough of a stir as they are popping up on Pick ‘n Pay shelves throughout the country but with a slight difference to their appearance – the punnets. Yes, the carriers of these little gems are of the pink variety… Why you ask? Well The South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA) & Pick ‘n Pay have joined forces to help raise breast cancer awareness during the month of October. Over the past 36 months they have managed to raise over R1000 000 for the breast cancer support group – Reach For Recovery.

ImageR1 from each pink punnet of whole white button mushrooms (250g) & white sliced button mushrooms (250g) will be donated to breast cancer awareness group – Reach For Recovery.

ImageSo keep your eyes peeled for pink & start chucking the not so humble mushroom into those daily meals – today is World Vegetarian Day after all… 

For more mushroom inspired info… Visit the SAMFA website here >>>>  http://www.mushroominfo.co.za/index.php/about-samfa

*Sponsoured post by SAMFA*

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