Mushrooms are a treasure house of beneficial compounds. It is thought that they may hold a secret to longevity. There are thousands of mushroom varieties, and most remain largely unexplored, as very little is known about them.
Traditional medicine practitioners have long known about their health benefits. Thus, their use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widespread. Fortunately, now science has started realizing that mushrooms can have many health benefits.
Mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, flavonoids, polyphenols, and other unique compounds. They are potent antioxidants, can boost energy levels, and are good for immune and nerve health. Mushrooms are also quite nutritious, with high amino acid content along with dietary fiber, prebiotics, and healthy carbs.
Here are some of the most popular mushrooms:
Reishi Mushrooms: Enhancing Wellness Naturally
This mushroom is among the popular adaptogens that are known to boost energy, immunity, and general health. This means that one does not have to live with any diseased condition to enjoy its health benefits. It can boost stamina and lower cholesterol and is also suitable for preventing urinary tract symptoms. So, this mushroom is best used to enhance energy, overcome fatigue, and boost vitality (1).
Cordyceps: Energy and Exercise Performance
This mushroom is rich in sterols, unique fatty acids, and polysaccharides like mannitol. So, it is a combination of organic compounds not found in any other natural source. That is why this mushroom has incredible health benefits. It can help reduce fatigue, boost exercise capacity, stabilize heartbeat, and lower bad cholesterol. It is also famous due to its ability to boost immunity and suppress tumor growth. It may help prevent cancers and even manage certain types of cancers. It is also good for sexual health and positively impacts the gut-brain axis (2).
Lion’s Mane: The Brain Health Promoter
This mushroom got its name due to its unique appearance, as it almost looks like a lion’s mane. This mushroom is especially good for brain health. It is known to boost cognition and promote nerve health. This is especially important considering that dementia is now among the leading causes of death and disability globally. Moreover, it is not just about managing dementia. It is about preventing neuropathies and nerve diseases that occur due to aging, metabolic disorders, and medication. Additionally, it helps prevent age-related cognitive decline, which is also important considering the fact that humans are now living much longer (3).
Chaga Mushrooms: The Antioxidant Powerhouse
This is among the rare mushrooms. It grows on the birch tree, which means that it is only found in a few nations. It takes years to grow and is hard, like cork. It is a slow-growing mushroom that accumulates numerous unique compounds over the years. So, it is rich in antioxidants. It is especially good for boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Thus, some of its common usages include managing general weakness, boosting immunity, managing chronic infections, and, most importantly, it may have a role in preventing and even managing different cancers (4).
Maitake Mushrooms: The Metabolic Enhancer
Some health experts describe maitake mushrooms as a superfood. It is especially good for metabolic health. It is known to reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol, but most importantly, it helps lower blood glucose levels. Since metabolic disorders are now among the leading causes of death and disability, the health benefits of mushrooms like maitake cannot be understated. This antioxidant-rich mushroom can help prevent most chronic disorders, from diabetes to heart disease (5).
Shiitake Mushrooms: A Source of Immune Support
The stronger the immunity, the longer a person may live. There are no medications that can significantly boost immunity. However, mushrooms like Shiitake can boost the immune system. Of course, it has a range of other health benefits, such as good heart health, bone health, skin health, and more. It may also have a role in prostate health and is a popular anti-aging remedy. Studies confirm that consuming Shiitake daily can boost immunity(6).
The Bottom Line
The health benefits of mushrooms are as mysterious as mushrooms themselves. They contain hundreds, if not thousands, of organic compounds that are poorly understood by science. Thus, researchers think that it will still take long to understand their health benefits. What is good about mushrooms is that they are not just for those living with some ailments. They help boost immunity and energy levels, manage fatigue, improve brain health, and have anti-aging properties. Thus, everyone must regularly consume these mushrooms or alternatively consider extracts or mushroom-based food supplements.
References
- Reishi Mushroom | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Aug 3]. Available from: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom
- Lin B qin, Li S ping. Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects [Internet]. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011 [cited 2024 Aug 3]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
- Lion’s Mane. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2024 Aug 3]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599740/
- Chaga Mushroom | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Aug 3]. Available from: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chaga-mushroom
- Maitake | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Aug 3]. Available from: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/maitake
- Dai X, Stanilka JM, Rowe CA, Esteves EA, Nieves C, Spaiser SJ, et al. Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(6):478–87.