John Miller
Functional mushrooms are all the rage in the wellness world, with health influencers claiming they have immense health benefits. Functional mushrooms like reishi, cordyceps, shiitake, turkey tail, and lion’s mane have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are now being sold as supplements in pill, powder, coffee alternative, or whole food form. While some of the claimed benefits of functional mushrooms have some research to support their use, most of the research is done on animals, and more human research is needed. So, are functional mushrooms legit?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Types of Functional Mushrooms | Reishi, Chaga, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tale |
| Forms | Pill, Powder, Coffee Alternative, Whole Food |
| Nutritional Benefits | Protein, Fiber, Vitamins, Prebiotic Fibers |
| Health Benefits | Reduce inflammation, Fight infection, Boost energy, Improve kidney function, Improve sex drive, Improve mood, Reduce stress, Improve sleep, Improve gut health, Improve blood sugar control, Improve cancer treatment |
| Concerns | Lack of Research, Lack of Regulation, Contamination, Toxicity, Side Effects |
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What You'll Learn
Functional mushrooms' health benefits
Functional mushrooms are a type of fungi that, according to supplement companies and wellness influencers, provide health benefits beyond nutrition. They have been used by many indigenous cultures worldwide for more than 2,000 years and are considered a staple in traditional Chinese medicine.
There are six common types of functional mushrooms, including reishi, chaga, shiitake, cordyceps, lion's mane, and turkey tail. Each type of mushroom has unique properties and possible health benefits. For example, reishi has been studied for its potential to boost the immune system, lower blood sugar in people with diabetes, and prevent infection. Chaga can help the immune system fight off a variety of diseases, including cancers and GI disorders, and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Cordyceps may increase testosterone and boost energy, sex drive, and kidney function. Lion's mane has been studied for its potential benefits for brain function, and it can also be used as a meat alternative. Turkey tail has been studied as an add-on treatment for various cancers and may improve immune system function.
While there is some research to support the health benefits of functional mushrooms, most of the studies have been conducted on animals, and more human research is needed. Additionally, consuming functional mushrooms in their whole food form may provide more benefits than taking them as supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, so caution is advised when purchasing mushroom supplements due to potential contamination and toxicity concerns.
Overall, while the health benefits of functional mushrooms may be promising, more human studies are needed to conclusively determine their effectiveness.
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The global functional mushroom market
The North American and European markets are expected to contribute significantly to the global functional mushroom market growth. In North America, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% from 2024 to 2030, while the European market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% during the same period. The UK and India are also expected to experience notable growth, with a projected CAGR of 11.5% and 10.9%, respectively, from 2024 to 2030.
Asia-Pacific dominated the functional mushroom market in 2023, with a market share of 51.72%, due to China's significant contribution to global industrial output. The shiitake mushroom product segment also dominated the industry in 2023, with a revenue share of nearly 34%. The food and beverage application segment accounted for the highest share of 41.9% in the global market.
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The 'shroom boom'
The shroom boom.
Functional mushrooms are everywhere right now, from health food stores to social media feeds and cafe menus. But are they worth the hype?
Functional mushrooms like reishi, cordyceps, shiitake, turkey tail, and lion’s mane are said to have immense health benefits. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, but have also been used by many indigenous cultures worldwide.
The use of functional mushrooms is often intertwined with indigenous wisdom, medicine, and recreation. They are believed to have properties beyond their nutritional value, such as reducing inflammation and fighting infection. They are also said to boost energy, sex drive, and kidney function, and have been studied as a cancer treatment.
However, the research supporting these health claims is often lacking. While some of the purported benefits of functional mushrooms have been studied in animal models, more human research is needed. For example, reishi has been studied for its potential to boost the immune system, lower blood sugar, and prevent infection, but the effects are not strong enough to make it a first-choice treatment for cancer.
When it comes to consuming functional mushrooms, eating the whole mushroom is likely to provide more benefits than taking a supplement. This is because the prebiotic fibres that keep our microbiome healthy are broken down when the mushrooms are processed into pill form.
The global functional mushroom market is expected to grow, with an increasing number of people open to the idea that fungi could have more potential to treat health conditions than is acknowledged in mainstream Western medicine.
While there may be potential benefits to adding functional mushrooms to your daily routine, it's important to exercise caution and do what is best for your individual health journey.
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The science behind the trend
Functional mushrooms are fungi that, according to supplement companies and wellness influencers, provide health benefits beyond nutrition. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and have also been used by many indigenous cultures worldwide.
The functional mushroom trend is about their supposed benefits, medicinal and more, beyond their nutritional value. They are said to have natural health properties such as being brain-boosting, stress-reducing, immunity-fuelling, and mood-enhancing. They are available in various forms, including pills, powders, coffee alternatives, and whole food forms.
Some of the supposed health benefits of functional mushrooms include reducing inflammation and fighting infection. Reishi, for example, has been studied for multiple purposes, including boosting the immune system, lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes, and preventing infection. Lion's mane has been studied for its potential to improve brain function and is also thought to offer adaptogenic effects, helping to reduce the effects of stress on the body. Chaga is said to prevent wrinkles, help counter IBD, and fight bacterial and viral infections.
However, the research supporting these health claims is often lacking, and most of the studies have been conducted on animals or in test tubes, not humans. The health benefits of edible mushrooms in whole food form have been better established, showing benefits for gut health and blood sugar control.
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The difference between medicinal and adaptogenic mushrooms
Functional mushrooms have become increasingly popular in recent years, with health influencers claiming that they have immense health benefits. However, it is important to distinguish between the terms "medicinal" and "adaptogenic" when discussing the potential benefits of mushrooms.
Medicinal mushrooms refer to those that have biologically active compounds with medicinal effects, including anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties. For example, mushroom polysaccharides have been found to prevent oncogenesis and show direct antitumor activity, making them useful in conjunction with chemotherapy. Medicinal mushrooms also have latent cancer-preventive properties, with research suggesting that regular consumption over prolonged periods significantly reduces cancer incidence. Additionally, the Bristol Fungarium sells extracts of fungi that are said to relieve anxiety, prevent wrinkle formation, stabilise blood pressure, and ease hot flushes. Reishi, for instance, has been studied for its potential to boost the immune system, lower blood sugar in people with diabetes, and prevent infection.
On the other hand, adaptogenic mushrooms are those that may help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Adaptogens are substances that increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, and chemical stress, promote normal functioning during stressful periods, and protect against stress-related damage. They do not act on the mind or perception and are not the same as hallucinogenic or "magic" mushrooms. Cordyceps, for instance, has been studied for its potential to reduce the effects of stress on the body, although research in humans is limited.
While there may be some overlap between the categories of medicinal and adaptogenic mushrooms, it is important to note that they are not interchangeable terms. Some mushrooms, like maitake, have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for their adaptogenic effects, helping to balance out altered body systems and enhance the immune system.
It is worth noting that while functional mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and by indigenous cultures worldwide for over 2,000 years, the claimed benefits are not always supported by rigorous scientific research. Most of the research supporting these claims has been conducted in animal models, and more human studies are needed. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, so caution is advised when purchasing mushroom supplements due to potential contamination and toxicity concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Functional mushrooms are fungi that provide health benefits beyond nutrition. They are also referred to as medicinal mushrooms and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Functional mushrooms are believed to have various health benefits, including reducing inflammation, fighting infection, boosting energy, improving kidney function, and reducing stress. However, most of the research supporting these claims has been conducted on animals, and more human studies are needed.
While functional mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, there is limited scientific research and clinical evidence to support all of their purported health benefits. It's important to exercise caution when consuming functional mushroom supplements, as they are not regulated by the FDA, and contamination and toxicity may be concerns. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new supplement into your routine.
