Exposing fresh mushrooms to just five minutes of ultraviolet light can instill about nine times the daily value of bone-building, disease-fighting vitamin D, according to a study's preliminary results.

In a study paid for by the mushroom industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is bathing growing or just-picked mushrooms to ultraviolet light to see if scientists can add a plant product to Americans' vitamin D sources.

Most Americans get their vitamin D from fish, dairy products, cod liver oil and certain fortified foods, but also from sunbathing, although health experts warn the latter raises the risk of developing skin cancer.

Most Americans deficient in vitamin D

Already low in fat and calories mushrooms contain negligible amounts of vitamin D because they are grown indoors in the dark and only go under fluorescent lights at harvest.

According to the FDA, about 85 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin D because they don't spend enough time outside in the sun or eat enough D-rich foods. Health experts believe vitamin D helps reduce the risks of osteoporosis, heart disease, tooth loss, and colon, breast, prostate and other cancers.

According to the Mushroom Council, people have harvested mushrooms for thousands of years for food, medicine and dyes, dating back to the 1300s in China. The plants contain large amounts of good protein, essential amino acids, fiber, unsaturated fats, several B and C vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and calcium.

 Check these out!

•  Nubella's Recipe Database and Healthy Cooking Center - find plenty of meals calling for mushrooms.

•  Nubella's Recipe Message Board - share ideas and get tips on incorporating mushrooms into your healthy eating.

Comments on this article? Send them to MyComments.

Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.