It may not give you a golden tan or bleached blonde highlights, but believe it or not, mushrooms can actually provide you with your daily dose of vitamin D.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscle, as well as a functioning immune system. Currently, one in four Australians (23 percent) suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, with that figure jumping to 40 percent during the colder months of the year.

The mushrooms in your fridge won’t automatically contain vitamin D. To access the nutrient, all you need to do is place your mushrooms in the sun for at least an hour before consumption.  Just like human skin, mushroom skin also has the ability to make vitamin D when the sunlight hits it.

Australian dietitian and mushroom researcher Glenn Cardwell said: “Mushrooms can easily help to combat vitamin D deficiencies if left outside in the sunshine for approximately an hour, a serve of mushrooms (100G), which is approximately three medium-sized mushrooms, can provide 100 percent of the recommended daily intake.

“As the only non-animal source of vitamin D, they are also a great way for vegetarians and vegans to look after their health and ensure they’re getting vital nutrients,” Mr. Cardwell said.

Vitamin D is just one of the many nutrients champignons deliver. One serve of mushrooms also provides at least 20 percent of the recommended daily intake of four B vitamins, which help to keep the body’s cells functioning properly.

Studies have also shown that eating mushrooms around two to three times a week is associated with a lower risk of developing cancer, specifically breast and prostate cancer.

Keen to start sautéing? Here are 35 winter mushroom recipes to get you started.