Monterey Mushrooms launches vitamin D-rich 'Sun Bella' brand
Monterey Mushrooms launches vitamin D-rich 'Sun Bella' brand
Monterey Mushrooms Inc. is launching its "Sun Bella" brand mushroom, which it says is the first fresh mushrooms to provide at least 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D in a single, three-ounce serving (about four or five mushrooms) through a natural sun ripening process.
The "Sun Bella" brand sun-ripening process was developed through a collaborative research program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by exposing the mushrooms to ultraviolet light, thus increasing the stable level of vitamin D to a minimum of 100 percent of the level recommended by the FDA. The increase in vitamin D does not include any additives, supplements or chemicals, and the vitamin D is stable, maintaining its nutritional value even after cooking or freezing.
Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contain vitamin D, which is obtained through sun exposure the same way humans organically receive the nutrient.
Until now, mushroom growers haven't maximized their vitamin D benefit, offering very low levels (4 percent of the daily value) of the pure ingredient. After more than a year of development, "Sun Bella" brand fresh mushrooms will be available at grocery stores nationwide in late October. The brand features brown and white button mushrooms conveniently packaged in a 10- ounce resealable bag, clean and ready to eat.
Also available is the "Sun Grill-A-Bella" brand varieties, which feature sliced Portabella mushrooms and Portabella caps sold in eight-ounce tray packs. The mushroom's daily dose of vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium and magnesium in the body, which helps to maintain bone strength.
"The arrival of mushrooms as a very low-calorie option for vitamin D supplementation heralds a giant step in the prevention of osteoporosis and other vitamin D related conditions," Walter S. Newman Jr., adjunct associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, said in a press release. "Increasingly, Americans are avoiding direct sun exposure and are applying sunscreen to minimize skin wrinkling and skin cancers. The downside to these skin-smart behaviors may be decreased active levels of vitamin D. Highest risk individuals for low blood levels of vitamin D are those in northern latitudes, children, seniors and those who spend little time outdoors."
In addition to vitamin D, agaricus mushrooms, better known as the white mushrooms, along with Baby Bella, Portabella, and shiitake mushrooms beat out other popular produce favorites such as lettuce, spinach and tomatoes in riboflavin, niacin, copper, and folate along with other powerful nutrients such as heart-healthy potassium, essential B-vitamins and Selenium, a powerful antioxidant.
Monterey Mushrooms Inc. was initially established in 1971 as a single-farm operation in Royal Oaks, CA. Today, this multi-site business is headquartered in Watsonville, CA, and has production, sales and administrative offices around the world.
The "Sun Bella" brand sun-ripening process was developed through a collaborative research program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by exposing the mushrooms to ultraviolet light, thus increasing the stable level of vitamin D to a minimum of 100 percent of the level recommended by the FDA. The increase in vitamin D does not include any additives, supplements or chemicals, and the vitamin D is stable, maintaining its nutritional value even after cooking or freezing.
Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contain vitamin D, which is obtained through sun exposure the same way humans organically receive the nutrient.
Until now, mushroom growers haven't maximized their vitamin D benefit, offering very low levels (4 percent of the daily value) of the pure ingredient. After more than a year of development, "Sun Bella" brand fresh mushrooms will be available at grocery stores nationwide in late October. The brand features brown and white button mushrooms conveniently packaged in a 10- ounce resealable bag, clean and ready to eat.
Also available is the "Sun Grill-A-Bella" brand varieties, which feature sliced Portabella mushrooms and Portabella caps sold in eight-ounce tray packs. The mushroom's daily dose of vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium and magnesium in the body, which helps to maintain bone strength.
"The arrival of mushrooms as a very low-calorie option for vitamin D supplementation heralds a giant step in the prevention of osteoporosis and other vitamin D related conditions," Walter S. Newman Jr., adjunct associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, said in a press release. "Increasingly, Americans are avoiding direct sun exposure and are applying sunscreen to minimize skin wrinkling and skin cancers. The downside to these skin-smart behaviors may be decreased active levels of vitamin D. Highest risk individuals for low blood levels of vitamin D are those in northern latitudes, children, seniors and those who spend little time outdoors."
In addition to vitamin D, agaricus mushrooms, better known as the white mushrooms, along with Baby Bella, Portabella, and shiitake mushrooms beat out other popular produce favorites such as lettuce, spinach and tomatoes in riboflavin, niacin, copper, and folate along with other powerful nutrients such as heart-healthy potassium, essential B-vitamins and Selenium, a powerful antioxidant.
Monterey Mushrooms Inc. was initially established in 1971 as a single-farm operation in Royal Oaks, CA. Today, this multi-site business is headquartered in Watsonville, CA, and has production, sales and administrative offices around the world.
