Medicinal mushrooms have taken the health world by storm. You can eat mushrooms in their raw form, but the new trend is powder, and they go far beyond portobellos, buttons, and oysters. Nowadays, you can find supplements and functional powders that consist of medicinal mushroom blends. Some of the most popular varieties include lion’s mane, reishi, turkey tail, chaga, and cordyceps.
What Are Mushrooms?
Health experts consider mushrooms to be in a tier above common superfoods like kale, avocado, or acai. Nothing against those delicious foods, but mushrooms are in a class of their own: functional foods. They contain nutrients that help energize the body and even assist with fighting common diseases. Not all of these mushrooms are appetizing, or readily available in stores, which is why they are available in dried, dehydrated, or powder form.
What Is Mushroom Powder?
The use of medicinal mushrooms is far from a new trend. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to mushrooms as the “elixir of life.” People brewed mushrooms into teas in the past, but modern convenience allows manufacturers to create mushroom powder blends that contain a high concentration of super nutrients. After drying out mushrooms, they are ground into a powder. Once the mushrooms are in powder form, it’s easy to mix them into various food preparations. The most common and trendy way to consume mushroom powder is in coffee or tea, but it’s possible to take them as supplements as well.
The Benefits Of Mushroom Powder
Every single medicinal mushroom contains a signature blend of polysaccharides, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes that benefit the body. One polysaccharide, beta glucan, helps to balance immune function, instead of enhancing or suppressing it. Because of this trait, mushroom powder is a better alternative to cholesterol or anti-inflammatory supplements, which can occasionally trigger autoimmune responses.
Good For Your Heart
According to several studies, cordyceps mushroom powder may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL levels increase your risk of heart disease, so lowering these levels can reduce damage to your heart. Cordyceps have also exhibited the ability to lower triglyceride levels in animal studies. More human studies are necessary for conclusive evidence.
Balance Immunity
As we mentioned earlier, beta glucans and other polysaccharides help to support a healthy immune system. By balancing the immune system, you can avoid unnecessary autoimmune flare-ups. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, work to stimulate spleen lymphocytes, which work to regulate immune function. These lymphocytes help the body fight off bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders.
Keep Yourself Young
Looking for the fountain of youth? We can’t promise that it’s at the bottom of a mug that contains mushroom powder tea, but mushroom powder may help fight early signs of aging. Mushroom powder contains a diverse mix of powerful antioxidants, which work to fight free radical damage and oxidative stress. Lessening the amount of free radicals in the body can help slow the signs of aging and contribute to better health. Some studies found that reishi mushrooms have the ability to extend life expectancy. Reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage helps boost longevity.
Boost Your Brain
Boosting brain power and reducing the risk of cognitive decline has become a popular health trend. Many studies reveal the link between poor gut health and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Naturally, people want to be sharp as they age, so people turn to the power of mushrooms. Lion’s mane mushroom reigns supreme when it comes to boosting brain power! Several studies found that it helps to reduce the impact or neurodegenerative diseases. Mushroom powder may also mental clarity and improve your ability to focus.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Both turkey tail and reishi mushrooms may potentially reduce the risk of the development of certain cancers. According to several reports, polysaccharide-K in turkey tail mushrooms is an acceptable prescription for cancer patients in Japan. A systemic review of reishi mushrooms found that people undergoing chemotherapy responded better when taking reishi supplements. Additionally, reishi mushrooms increase NK-cell activity to increase white blood cell activity to fight infections.
