Do you eat raw mushrooms? Why that’s a bad idea.

If you like mushrooms, you might want to skip the raw variety at the salad bar. 

Raw mushrooms contain trace amounts of a carcinogenic called agartine. Cooking them not only removes that - but also unlocks more of the mushroom’s healthy nutrients. Most mushrooms are cultivated in manure-based compost. While the manure is typically sterilized, gently washing and then cooking your mushrooms is recommended.

If you buy your mushrooms at the grocery store covered in plastic, get them out of there when you get home. It’s best to transfer mushrooms into a paper bag and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook and eat them.