Michael Davis
There is a wide range of mushroom supplements available on the market, from powders to liquids, all claiming to boost your health and wellness. But do mushroom liquids work? Liquid mushroom extracts are made by drawing out the beneficial compounds from the fruiting body of the mushroom using water and alcohol. Proponents of liquid extracts argue that they are better than powders as they are more bioavailable and offer targeted support for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, and gut health. However, others argue that liquid mushroom extracts are pointless and bad value for money as they contain very little dissolved mushroom. So, do mushroom liquids work? The answer is still unclear, and more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these supplements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushroom liquids work? | It depends on the extraction process. Heat-based hot water and dual extractions are considered good, while ineffective extractions are bad, and powders claiming to be extracts are terrible. Fermentation is ineffective as it does not break down the mushroom cell walls. |
| Are liquid mushroom extracts better than powders? | Proponents of liquid extracts argue that they are better than powders because they are more bioavailable and offer targeted support for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, and gut health. However, others argue that tincturing does not work with mushrooms because they have a chitin cell structure that does not disintegrate in alcohol. |
| How are mushroom liquids prepared? | The mushrooms are ground into a coarse powder and then undergo a concentration process using hot water and/or alcohol to extract the beneficial compounds. |
| What are the benefits of consuming liquid mushroom extracts? | Liquid mushroom extracts are claimed to provide benefits such as improved immunity, stress relief, increased energy, improved sleep, and better gut health. Additionally, some mushrooms like Lion's Mane are believed to have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. |
| Are there any side effects or precautions? | The market for mushroom supplements is largely unregulated, and products may contain misleading labels or inferior ingredients. It is important to carefully research and choose reputable brands to ensure the quality and safety of the product. |
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What You'll Learn
Heat is required to release active compounds
Heat is required to release the active compounds in mushrooms. For example, Chaga and Reishi mushrooms have very thick cell walls. To unlock their active compounds, they require a dual extraction with ethanol after the hot water extraction. This additional step with ethanol ensures that the concentrated liquid filtrate can fully unlock the beneficial compounds.
WholeSun Wellness uses hot water and dual extraction methods to create mushroom extracts. This process is similar to brewing tea, which also uses hot water. A generic hot water extraction involves grinding dry raw mushroom material into a coarse powder.
The best mushroom extracts on the market use heat. Fermentation, on the other hand, is a shortcut that creates an inferior product. Manufacturers use fermentation because it is cheaper and requires less energy. However, tests have shown that fermented mushrooms do not have significant levels of active compounds.
Liquid mushroom extracts are created using a double-extraction process with water and alcohol. This method captures both water and alcohol-soluble compounds, resulting in a more potent product. These liquid extracts are highly bioavailable and can offer targeted support for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, and gut health.
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Extraction methods vary
WholeSun Wellness uses hot water and dual extraction methods. The hot water extraction process involves grinding dry raw mushroom material into a coarse powder, then brewing it like a cup of tea. However, some mushrooms, like Chaga and Reishi, have super-thick cell walls and require a dual extraction with ethanol to unlock their active compounds completely. During dual extraction, the concentrated liquid filtrate undergoes an additional step with ethanol instead of spray drying after hot water extraction.
Some companies use fermentation, which is a shortcut as it is cheaper and requires less energy. However, tests by Alita Bioscience show that fermented mushrooms do not have significant active compound levels.
Liquid mushroom extracts are created using a double extraction process with water and alcohol to capture both water and alcohol-soluble compounds. They are highly bioavailable and offer benefits for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, and gut health.
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Fermentation is a shortcut
Fermentation is used to "pre-digest" the mushroom, breaking down its thick chitinous cell walls. This makes the bioactive compounds and vitamins more easily accessible and absorbable by the body. However, fermentation does not completely break down the mushroom cell walls, and the therapeutic components are not entirely released during the process.
To fully unlock the active compounds in mushrooms, heat-based methods, such as hot water extraction, are more effective. This involves grinding dry raw mushrooms into a coarse powder and using hot water to release the beneficial compounds. This process has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Modern extraction methods may also use dual extraction with ethanol to further enhance the concentration of active compounds.
Some companies combine hot water extraction with a unique double-extraction process, infusing their mushroom extracts with additional nutrients like vitamin C from sources such as the Australian Kakadu Plum. This enhances the potential health benefits of the mushroom extracts, supporting immune health, mental clarity, and overall vitality.
While fermentation may be a shortcut, it is important to note that not all mushroom extracts are created equal. Heat-based extraction methods are generally considered superior as they maximize the release of active compounds, resulting in a more potent and effective product.
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Liquid extracts are more potent than powders
The compounds that give mushrooms their nutritional benefits (beta-glucans, triterpenes, ergosterols, enzymes, and vitamins) are locked within the thick cell walls of the mushroom fruiting body. Our stomachs are not designed to break these walls down, so the beneficial compounds pass through our system without being absorbed. To make these compounds available for absorption, they must be extracted using either hot water, alcohol, or both, depending on the mushroom. This extra step makes mushroom extracts more potent than powders.
Mushroom powder is made by drying and grinding mushrooms into a fine powder. While the body can break down the fiber in the powder, it does not receive the same therapeutic benefits as it would from an extract. This is because the active compounds in mushrooms are only released with heat. Even ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Cordyceps tonics used hot water in the preparation.
Liquid mushroom extracts are made by extracting beneficial compounds from the fruiting body and mycelium using water and alcohol. This process makes the extracts highly bioavailable and offers targeted support for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, gut health, and more. Liquid extracts are backed by science and are up to seven times more potent than traditional mushroom powders.
However, not all mushroom extracts are created equal. Some products on the market are ineffective or use misleading labelling. For example, fermentation of mushroom fruiting bodies is a favourite among large-scale companies because it is cheaper and creates the claim that the product is "pre-digested", making the bioactive compounds and vitamins more easily accessible and absorbable. However, tests have shown that fermented mushrooms do not have significant active compound levels.
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Chitin cell structure means mushrooms don't disintegrate in alcohol
Mushrooms have thick cell walls composed of chitin, a modified polysaccharide that contains nitrogen. Chitin is a strong, resilient, and tough structural component that breaks down naturally and absorbs water. It is found not only in mushrooms but also in crustacean and insect shells.
Chitin is the key structural component in mushrooms that provides gut-boosting insoluble fibre. However, most of the beneficial compounds in mushrooms are locked inside the cell wall, and the extraction process is required to break down the chitin and make these compounds more readily available for absorption. The extraction process involves applying a solvent such as water or alcohol to the raw mushroom material.
The most efficient method to break down chitin and release all active compounds contained in fungal cell walls is through dual extraction, which combines hot water and alcohol extraction. In this method, the material is first extracted with either hot water or alcohol, and then the remaining plant material is extracted again with the other solvent. Finally, the liquids from the two extractions are combined to form a dual extract.
The dual extraction method is more effective than simply grinding the mushrooms, which produces plain mushroom powder that does not provide the same therapeutic benefits as an extract. Heat is necessary to release the active compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenoids, ergosterols, enzymes, and vitamins.
The chitin cell structure in mushrooms contributes to their toughness and resilience, allowing them to withstand the extraction process without disintegrating in alcohol. This structure enables mushrooms to retain their shape and integrity even when combined with alcohol during the extraction process.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom liquids are supplements made from a concentrated form of functional mushrooms. They are created by extracting beneficial compounds from the fruiting body and mycelium using water and alcohol.
Mushroom liquids are highly bioavailable, meaning they are easily absorbed by the body. They offer targeted support for immunity, stress, energy, sleep, gut health, and more.
Proponents of mushroom liquids argue that they are more effective than powders because they are more easily absorbed by the body. However, some claim that mushroom powders can provide similar benefits as liquids when properly extracted.
The quality of mushroom liquids can vary depending on the extraction process and the type of mushrooms used. Heat-based hot water and dual extractions are generally considered more effective than ineffective extractions or plain mushroom powders. It is important to research the product and the manufacturer to ensure the supplement is of high quality.
Mushroom liquids typically come with a dropper for easy dosing. You can add the recommended dose of mushroom liquid to coffee, tea, smoothies, or water, making it convenient to take at any time of day.
