Emily Johnson
Mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and they are now being recognised for their ability to support gut health. They are a source of prebiotics, which are non-digestible fibre compounds that help feed the good bacteria in our guts. Prebiotics are often lacking in the standard American diet, and this can lead to issues like indigestion, inflammation and weight gain. Mushrooms contain a variety of carbohydrates like chitin, xylans and galactans, which provide health benefits and supplement nutrition. They have been shown to reduce inflammation, strengthen the gut lining, and improve gut bacteria diversity. Some mushrooms, like Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga and Turkey Tail, are also thought to have probiotic properties, which encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal value | Mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. |
| Nutritional value | Mushrooms are rich in new types of dietary fibres (DF) that are suitable for various members of the population, including children and those with diabetes. |
| Prebiotics | Mushrooms are a great source of prebiotics because they contain a variety of carbohydrates like chitin, xylans, and galactans. |
| Probiotics | Mushrooms can be combined with other foods containing probiotics, such as cheese fermented with L. reuteri. |
| Gut health | Mushrooms improve gut health by strengthening the gut lining, reducing inflammation, and improving gut bacteria diversity. |
| Sustainable | Mushrooms are considered sustainable foods as they require less effort and can be cultivated on different agro-industrial wastes. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms as prebiotics
Mushrooms are a great source of prebiotics and have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain a variety of carbohydrates like chitin, xylans, and galactans. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibre compounds that are degraded by gut microbiota. They help to feed probiotics and increase overall well-being, forming a symbiotic relationship.
Mushrooms are considered a sustainable food as they require less effort and can be cultivated on different agro-industrial wastes. They are also rich in new types of dietary fibres (DF) that are suitable for various members of the population, including children and those with diabetes. The DF content varies across different mushrooms, with soluble dietary fibre (SDF) content ranging from 0.50-4.42% and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) content ranging from 23.6-43.1%.
Research has shown that mushrooms can act as prebiotics to stimulate the growth of gut microbiota and improve gut health. For example, white button mushrooms increase microbial diversity and support the local inflammatory response. Reishi mushrooms help to tighten the intestinal lining and improve intestinal permeability, which is key to healing a leaky gut. They also support immune health by reducing the number of bad bacteria in the gut. Lion's Mane mushrooms are another great option for reducing inflammation, which has been linked to various diseases and conditions, including gut-related issues like ulcerative colitis.
Turkey Tail mushrooms are another variety with prebiotic properties. They contain high amounts of prebiotic polysaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and beta-glucans, which support a healthy immune system and feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. Additionally, Chaga mushrooms offer gut health benefits, including support for gastrointestinal health, bacterial flora, and gut function.
Overall, the active polysaccharides and phenolic compounds in mushrooms make them biologically valuable, and their ability to act as immunomodulators further supports their role in promoting gut health.
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Medicinal properties of mushrooms
Mushrooms have been consumed and used as medicine for thousands of years. Ancient civilisations like the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese valued mushrooms for their healing properties. In modern times, mushrooms are popular as they are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, and are cholesterol-free. They also provide essential nutrients like selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber.
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that contains a substance called ergosterol, which is similar in structure to cholesterol in animals. Ergosterol can be converted into vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones.
Medicinal mushrooms have been reported to have various pharmacological actions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and hepatoprotective properties. They are also used to treat infections and lung diseases. In Japan and China, mushrooms have been approved as an addition to standard cancer treatments for over 30 years. Turkey tail mushrooms, for example, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases and strengthen the immune system during cancer treatment.
Mushrooms also contain polysaccharides, which act as prebiotics and stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. They can also help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce sodium intake.
Some specific varieties of mushrooms with medicinal properties include shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster. These varieties have higher amounts of ergothioneine, a powerful amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage.
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Mushrooms and fermented foods
Mushrooms have been recognised for their medicinal value and nutritional properties for thousands of years. In fact, scientists have found medicinal mushrooms in the stomach of a 5,300-year-old European mummy. Today, mushrooms are being studied for their potential use in innovative functional foods, nutraceuticals, and health-protecting drugs.
Fermentation is one of the earliest, most efficient, and cost-effective methods for preserving food. It holds potential as a sustainable biological method for preserving and enhancing the functionality of edible mushrooms. The food industry has the potential to develop functional foods with enhanced nutritional and health-promoting attributes by integrating fungal byproducts. Fermented foods are thought to benefit humans in several ways, such as adding to and enhancing the beneficial microflora of the gut, which can help the whole-body system.
Medicinal mushrooms are packed with prebiotics and have been shown to reduce inflammation, strengthen the intestinal lining, and improve gut bacteria diversity. Turkey Tail mushrooms, for example, support a healthy immune system and help feed beneficial and probiotic microorganisms. Reishi mushrooms help to tighten the intestinal lining and improve intestinal permeability, which are key to healing a leaky gut. Lion's Mane mushrooms are also known to quell inflammation, which has been linked to a variety of diseases and conditions, from gut-related issues to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Fermented foods can also be combined with mushroom powders to investigate potential psychobiotic effects. For instance, a study published in Fermentation investigated the benefits of producing a fermented food that combines Limosilactobacillus reuteri with mushroom powders. Psychobiotics were originally defined by the ISAPP as probiotics with mental health benefits.
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Mushrooms for immune system support
Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal and nutritional properties for centuries. They are a valuable source of dietary fibre, which has various health benefits. Mushrooms are also prebiotic, meaning they can support a healthy gut and immune system.
Mushrooms contain prebiotic fibres that support the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut and inhibit the growth of pathogens. They boost health by inhibiting the binding of pathogenic bacteria, promoting the growth of specific gut microbiota, producing short-chain fatty acids, and regulating lipid metabolism and cancer.
Mushrooms are also a source of postbiotics, which are substances secreted by probiotics when feeding on prebiotic fibres. Postbiotics have many health benefits, including a variety of nutrients, such as vitamins B and K, amino acids, and antimicrobial peptides, which help to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria.
Medicinal mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga, are packed with prebiotics and have been shown to reduce inflammation, strengthen the intestinal lining, and improve gut bacteria diversity. Turkey Tail mushrooms also play a key role in populating the gut with beneficial bacteria and reducing the number of bad bacteria. Shiitake mushrooms help to improve gut bacterial diversity and promote an environment for healthy bacteria to thrive.
Mushrooms can be easily incorporated into your diet by adding them to savoury dishes or using mushroom powders. Fermented foods that combine mushrooms with strains of probiotics, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, are also being investigated for their potential psychobiotic effects on mental health.
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Mushrooms for gut health
Mushrooms are not typically associated with probiotics, but they are a great source of prebiotics and have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibre compounds that feed the probiotics in your gut, increasing overall wellbeing and supporting gut health.
Mushrooms contain a variety of carbohydrates like chitin, xylans, and galactans, which provide many health benefits. They are also a rich source of dietary fibre (DF), which has various nutritional and physiological benefits. DF from mushrooms is suitable for a wide range of people, including children and those with diabetes.
Research has shown that mushrooms can help improve gut health by supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. They can also reduce inflammation, strengthen the lining of the gut, and improve gut bacteria diversity. For example, Lion's Mane and Reishi mushrooms are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, while Shiitake mushrooms can protect immune cells from harmful pathogens.
Turkey Tail mushrooms are another variety that can play a key role in populating the gut with good bacteria and reducing the number of bad bacteria. They also support a healthy immune system.
Fermented foods that combine Limosilactobacillus reuteri with mushroom powders are being investigated for their potential psychobiotic effects, which are probiotics that encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to benefit mental health.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are not probiotics, but they are a great source of prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibre compounds that help feed the probiotics in your gut and increase overall wellbeing.
Mushrooms contain a variety of carbohydrates like chitin, xylans and galactans, which provide many health benefits. Medicinal mushrooms are packed with prebiotics and have been shown to reduce inflammation, strengthen the gut lining, and improve gut bacteria diversity.
Some mushrooms with prebiotic properties include Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Portobello.
