A walk down the health food aisle, and you’ll likely see some mushroom blends. Ever wondered if they’re healthy or more of a hype? We’re deep-diving into the research to let you know.
What is mushroom powder?
Mushroom powder is exactly what it sounds like – dried mushrooms that have been pulverized into a fine powder.
Many food manufacturers tend to combine multiple mushrooms into one container. In fact, one version by Four Sigmatic contains 10 different organic mushrooms, including Chaga, reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, shiitake, maitake, enoki, agaricus, meshima, and tremella.
If you don’t consume mushrooms regularly, selecting a blend could be a great way to obtain these nutrients that you might not get otherwise. It’s also important to note that most medicinal mushrooms are not sold in traditional grocery stores.
What do I do with mushroom powder?
Mushroom powder is typically marketed to be consumed as a hot liquid. In addition to (or in place of) a hot tea or coffee or added into your soup broth.
As a powder, the possibilities are endless as what you can sprinkle it into. Om, a popular brand, recommends adding it into scrambled eggs, putting some in your homemade meat rub, or even mixing it into a panko breadcrumb mixture.
Mushroom powder has an umami flavor that can yield a bitter taste to some. Others find the flavor earthy. Mushroom powders are often combined with cacao or other superfoods, likely to make them more palatable and marketable to consumers.
Is it healthy?
We’re turning to the experts at the mushroom council to answer this one. Mushrooms are vegetables, meaning they are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, and naturally very low in sodium. Vegetables are a vital component of a healthy diet, and with this vegetable being low-carb, it fits in most plans.
The exact nutrients will vary depending on the variety. Generally speaking, though, mushrooms are high in B-vitamins, selenium, ergothioneine, copper, potassium, beta-glucans, and Vitamin D.
If you have a specific question about your favorite mushroom type, then check out this article for more details based on variety.
What does the research say?
Research has shown promising results between mushroom consumption and medical conditions, specifically cancer, memory, and gut health.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website, or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Cancer
MD Anderson states that medicinal mushrooms like mitake, reishi, turkey tail, and shiitake may play a role in boosting the immune system, specifically the parts linked to tumor suppression.
A systematic review found that higher mushroom consumption was associated with a lower risk of total cancer, specifically breast cancer.
Other studies found beneficial effects of medicinal mushrooms on quality of life and reduced adverse effects with conventional therapies like chemotherapy.
While more research is needed to understand how to blend these complementary treatments with traditional medicine practices, there is promising evidence, so a discussion with your physician may be helpful.
It is important to note that several studies provided limitations, including the population studied, which mainly was the Asian culture, and lack of side effects reported.
Memory
A 2006 cohort study in Japan found that frequent mushroom consumption was associated with a lower risk of dementia in elderly men.
Further, consumption of lion’s mane mushrooms may be protective against progressive memory loss. This connection is likely due to two compounds found in the mushroom, hericenones, and erinacines. These both help to stimulate brain cell growth.
While these results are promising for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, more human studies are needed for further understanding as most have been conducted on rats.
Gut Health
Studies have shown that mushrooms may benefit gut health due to their fungal polysaccharides. This type of carbohydrate stimulates the growth of Lactobacillus strains in the gut. What is unique about this is the rate of stimulation which is much higher than commercially available prebiotics like inulin or fructooligosaccharides.
For this reason and more, many refer to mushrooms as functional foods.
The Bottom Line
With the latest research, we currently give mushroom powder a thumbs up and think it does, in fact, live up to th. While you should never replace any food with a superfood blend, it can be a great addition to a well-rounded eating plan. As always, check with your doctor before starting any new supplement.
