Individuals looking to boost their immunity and improve their overall health may want to add some white button mushrooms to their diet.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists have conducted an animal-model and cell-culture study showing that white button mushrooms enhanced the activity of critical cells in the body’s immune system.

Researchers say the results suggest that white button mushrooms, which represent 90 percent of the total mushrooms consumed in the U.S., may promote immune function by increasing production of antiviral and other proteins that are released by cells while seeking to protect and repair tissue.

The study’s cell-culture phase showed that white button mushrooms enhanced the maturity of immune system cells called "dendritic cells," from bone marrow. Dendritic cells can make T cells, which are important white blood cells that can recognize and eventually deactivate or destroy antigens on invading microbes.

Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for both food and medicinal purposes, according to Vegetarian-Nutrition.info.

They contain about 80 to 90 percent water and are low in calories, sodium and fat, but are high in fiber. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, which is known to help reduce high blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. They are also a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium.