Are these mushrooms still healthy?

Kaufland offers mushrooms with vitamin D: what is the purpose of these mushrooms?

The Kaufland grocery retailer has been offering mushrooms for some time, whose vitamin D content should be 30 times higher than that of traditional mushrooms when it is exposed to UVB rays. The Stiftung Warentest has now taken a closer look at the breeding fungi and explains how sensible they are.

Common vitamin D deficiency

Last year, about 60% of German children and adolescents had more or less reduced vitamin D levels. In addition, a study showed that about half of people over the age of 65 were suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. In general, the supply of vitamin D in Germany is considered deficient. Is it therefore wise to enrich foods with vitamin D, as is the case with certain fungi?

Now also available in Germany

Several years ago, German researchers reported on vitamin D fortified fungi sold in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

A few months ago, Swiss mushroom producers also launched mushrooms rich in vitamin D.

Meanwhile, food retailer Kaufland, Germany, also offers cultivated mushrooms, believed to be high in vitamin D due to exposure to ultraviolet rays.

But what are the benefits of the vitamin D fungus?

The mushrooms are briefly illuminated with UVB light

"30 x more vitamin D" than conventionally grown mushrooms, "100 grams contain 125 percent of the recommended daily intake" – promises the label of mushrooms to vitamin D, which are exclusively offered by Kaufland, reported the Stiftung Warentest on its website.

200 grams should cost around two euros.

According to a message from the grocery retail chain, mushrooms are briefly illuminated by a UVB lamp. According to the company, the vitamin D content of mushrooms is multiplied by 30 compared to traditional mushrooms.

Irradiation mimics a process in the wild: fungi produce abundant vitamin D under the influence of the sun.

This rarely occurs in conventional farm mushrooms because they do not grow in the light of day. Vitamin D is said to promote healthy bones and teeth.

The procedure was developed by Dr. med. Paul Urbain, nutritionist at the University Medical Center Friborg.

Special mushrooms are produced by Pilzland in Lower Saxony.

The irradiation procedure works

The Stiftung Warentest sent the mushrooms to the laboratory and indicated on "test.de" whether the mushrooms actually brought in something for the vitamin D budget and whether the specified vitamin D levels were also correct.

According to the researchers, the experts determined the vitamin D content of the mushrooms in seven different packages and determined that the irradiation procedure was working.

The vitamin D content averages 9.6 micrograms per 100 grams, which is well above the levels of ordinary breeding fungi.

The analysis of common fungal samples revealed only about 0.3 micrograms of vitamin D per 100 grams.

On the basis of the average value, the seller's promise is that vitamin D mushrooms contain 30 times more so-called solar vitamin.

Vitamin D levels vary considerably

However, vitamin D levels vary greatly from one package to another. The lowest level found in the mushrooms of a pack was 5.3 micrograms of vitamin D per 100 grams.

In contrast, the highest content was 15.1 micrograms. This figure exceeds even the maximum level set by the EU for these novel foods in the EU's Novel Foods Regulation: ten micrograms per 100 grams.

An overdose of mushroom enthusiasts with vitamin D does not have to worry about it. Even from the richest mushrooms in vitamin D, they could eat according to the test of the goods in the long run, every day without hesitation several packages.

Since the vitamin D levels of the special mushrooms are very different, the testers rated the precise vitamin D content on the package as "very good" at 6.25 micrograms per 100 grams.

In addition, fungi are not named correctly: the Novel Food Regulation requires that UV-treated cultivated fungi, called "UV treated fungi (Agaricus bisporus)", be named.

But on the label appear only the names "Mushrooms with Vitamin D" and "Kulturchampignon".

The man receives vitamin D mainly in the sunlight

"Especially now, in the dark season, many people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Because the UVB radiation in the sunlight is too low for your own vitamin D production in the skin," says the doctor. Dr. med. Paul Urbain.

"The Steinchampignons are an ideal way for vegetarians and vegans to satisfy their vitamin D needs simply and tastefully," said the nutritionist.

However, it is important to know that people only cover about 10% to 20% of their vitamin D needs through their diet.

Remarkable quantities are contained in fatty sea fish such as herring and salmon. For example, egg yolk and margarine, which can be fortified with vitamin D, provide smaller amounts.

The person receives mainly vitamin D, particularly important for bones, thanks to the sun's rays in summer.

Therefore, specialized companies recommend that between March and October two to three times a week the face, hands and arms uncovered and without sunscreen the sun that exposes it, but that must be avoided.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), half the time during which otherwise a sunburn would not be protected is sufficient.

Those who stay longer in the sun should protect themselves, for example with sunscreen. The body can store enough vitamin D to keep most people going through the black season without symptoms of deficiency.

Take supplements

Some people continue to consume vitamin D supplements. However, this should always be discussed with the family doctor.

However, such dietary supplements are not recommended for everyone, warn experts.

In addition, some of these preparations are not recommended, but even present a risk, as have shown tests.

And the Anti-Drug Commission of the German Medical Profession (AkdÄ) pointed out that this could also lead to an overdose of vitamin D supplements.

According to the Stiftung Warentest, taking vitamin D supplements may be useful for certain risk groups, such as those who are bedridden or over the age of 65 who can not produce as much vitamin D through the skin. (Ad)