Jackfruit vs Mushrooms – Which is Healthier?

Our Verdict

When comparing jackfruit to mushrooms, we picked the mushrooms.

Why?

First, you may be wondering: which mushrooms? Button mushrooms? White mushrooms? Chestnut mushrooms? Portobello mushrooms? And the answer is yes.

Those (and more; it represents most mushrooms that are commonly sold fresh in western supermarkets) are all the same species at different ages; namely, Agaricus bisporus—not to be mistaken for fly agaric, which despite the name, is not even a member of the Agaricus genus, and is in fact Amanita muscari. This is an important distinction, because fly agaric is poisonous, though fatality is rare, and it’s commonly enjoyed recreationally (after some preparation, which reduces its toxicity) for its psychoactive effects. It’s the famous red one with white spots. Anyway, today we will be talking instead about Agaricus bisporus, which is most popular western varieties of “edible mushroom”.

Of course, technically all mushrooms are edible, just, some of them are edible only once 😉

^{(the above line is a joke, please do not eat the kind that will kill you)}

With all that in mind, let’s get down to comparing these two non-animal foods that are often used as a meaty element in dishes:

In terms of macros, jackfruit has more carbs and fiber, the ratio of which means jackfruit has the higher glycemic index, while mushrooms have more protein which, as well as the lower glycemic index, puts them in the lead from this first round.

In the category of vitamins, jackfruit has more of vitmains B1, B6, B9, C, and E, while mushrooms have more of vitamins B2, B3, B5, B7, and B12, for a 5:5 tie in this round.

Looking at minerals, jackfruit has more calcium, magnesium, and potassium, while mushrooms have more copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc, for a modest yet clear victory in this category.

One final thing worth noting is that mushrooms are a rich source of ergothioneine, which has been called a “longevity vitamin” for its healthspan-increasing effects (see our article below), so that’s one more point for mushrooms.

Adding up the sections makes for a clear overall win for mushrooms, but by all means do enjoy either or both, as diversity is best!

Want to learn more?

You might like:

The Magic Of Mushrooms: “The Longevity Vitamin” (That’s Not A Vitamin)

Enjoy!