Mushrooms: Upset Stomach Or Tummy Ache?

Mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious addition to many dishes, but they can sometimes cause an upset stomach. Even edible mushrooms can make people sick if they are not handled or cooked properly. Some people may experience more severe digestive problems due to a lack of enzymes in their intestines that break down trehalose, a carbohydrate found in mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms, on the other hand, can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even lead to blood disorders, seizures, and liver and kidney damage. Proper identification of mushroom species is crucial to avoid ingestion of toxic varieties. In addition, certain mushrooms, such as Coprinus, can cause adverse reactions when consumed with alcohol.

Poisonous mushrooms

Mushrooms are a tasty and nutritious addition to many dishes, but they can also be tough on the stomach. While some mushrooms are edible, they need to be handled properly to prevent illness. Poisonous mushrooms, on the other hand, can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, and in some cases, even lead to organ failure and death.

Identifying Poisonous Mushrooms

The vast majority of mushroom-related deaths are caused by species in the genus Amanita. These include Amanita virosa, commonly known as the Destroying Angel, and Amanita phalloides, also called the Death Cap. Other poisonous species include the Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, which can be mistaken for Chanterelles, and the Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), which resemble edible varieties. Conocybe filaris, an innocent-looking lawn mushroom common in the Pacific Northwest, is another potentially fatal species.

Preventing Mushroom Poisoning

To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is essential to properly identify mushrooms before consumption. Mushroom gatherers should familiarize themselves with both edible mushrooms and similar-looking toxic species. It is recommended to never eat wild mushrooms unless you are positive about their identification. Cooking wild mushrooms can help destroy toxins, but some toxins, like amatoxins, are thermostable and remain dangerous even after cooking. It is also important to avoid consuming mushrooms with alcohol, as some species, like Coprinus, or "inky caps," can cause an unpleasant illness when combined with alcohol.

Symptoms of Mushroom Poisoning

The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary from mild to severe. Initially, individuals may experience stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If left untreated, these symptoms can progress to blood disorders, seizures, and liver and kidney damage, ultimately leading to death. It is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible if mushroom poisoning is suspected.

Wild mushrooms

Even edible mushrooms can cause illness if not handled properly. For example, the Coprinus genus, also known as "inky caps", can cause an unpleasant illness if consumed with alcohol. This is because coprine interferes with how the body processes alcohol.

Some wild mushrooms are toxic to humans and can cause hallucinogenic or toxic effects. These mushrooms can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal irritation. The timing of symptom onset is important for distinguishing life-threatening or severe mushroom poisonings from less serious ones. Symptoms of toxic mushroom ingestion typically appear within five hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

To avoid illness, it is important to only consume mushrooms that have been positively identified as safe to eat. It is recommended to only eat a small amount of a new mushroom and to only try one new species at a time. Wild mushrooms should always be cooked, and the cooking water should not be reused as it may contain toxins. It is also important to avoid breathing in vapors while cooking mushrooms.

Alcohol consumption

Consuming mushrooms can cause an upset stomach, especially if they are consumed with alcohol. While mushrooms are a good source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, their cell walls consist of indigestible dietary fibre chitin. Chitin, along with mannitol and trehalose, are carbohydrates that are difficult for the human intestine to digest. The stomach needs up to five hours to digest mushrooms, and consuming them raw is not advisable due to the presence of toxins.

Some mushrooms, such as Coprinus, also known as "inky caps," can cause unpleasant illness when consumed with alcohol. This is due to the presence of coprine, which interferes with how the body processes alcohol. Symptoms of consuming Coprinus mushrooms with alcohol can include a racing heart, warmth, and flushing, and can be severe enough to require a stomach pump. To avoid these symptoms, it is recommended to refrain from consuming alcohol for two to three days before and after eating Coprinus mushrooms.

Other mushrooms, such as true morels, can also cause gastric upset when consumed raw. It is recommended to cook morels thoroughly before consumption to avoid potential toxins. Wild mushrooms should always be cooked, and special warnings, such as potential reactions with alcohol, should be heeded. The cooking water should not be reused, as it may contain toxins, unless specifically indicated for soup stock. It is also important to avoid breathing vapors while cooking mushrooms, such as morels.

Consuming mushrooms with alcohol can have unpredictable results and is considered a high-risk combination. Mixing alcohol with mushrooms may cause nausea, panic attacks, negative emotions, and hallucinations. In some cases, it can lead to aggressive or violent behavior, requiring immediate medical attention. While the psilocybin in mushrooms is being studied for its potential benefits in treating alcohol use disorder, combining it with alcohol can have dangerous consequences. Therefore, it is generally advised to avoid mixing mushrooms and alcohol to prevent adverse effects.

Inedible when raw

While some mushrooms are edible when raw, it is not advisable to eat them uncooked. Some mushrooms contain toxins that are only destroyed through cooking. Wild mushrooms, in particular, run the risk of being infected by fox tapeworm. Even edible mushrooms can cause illness if not handled properly. For example, Coprinus mushrooms, also known as "inky caps", are edible, but they react poorly when consumed with alcohol.

Even commonly consumed mushrooms, such as button mushrooms, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and king trumpet mushrooms, can be challenging to digest when raw. The cell walls of mushrooms are made of indigestible dietary fibre, chitin, which is difficult for the intestines to break down. Additionally, mushrooms contain carbohydrates like mannitol and trehalose that are also hard to digest. The stomach needs up to five hours to digest raw mushrooms, and even then, the protein in the mushroom cells can only be absorbed with thorough chewing.

To avoid potential digestive issues, it is best to cook mushrooms before consumption. Some guidelines recommend avoiding mushrooms altogether if you are unsure about their safety. When trying new mushrooms, it is advisable to consume only a small quantity and a single species at a time. This way, if any adverse reactions occur, the source can be easily identified. It is also good practice to save a small portion of the mushroom in the refrigerator, which can be helpful if a trip to the hospital is required.

Identifying edible mushrooms can be challenging, even for experts. Many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible ones, and wild mushrooms should be assumed unsafe unless positively identified. Learning proper mushroom identification and understanding their dangerous look-alikes are crucial before consuming any wild mushrooms.

Gastrointestinal issues

Mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious addition to many dishes, but they can sometimes cause gastrointestinal issues. While some people lack the enzyme needed to break down trehalose, a carbohydrate found in mushrooms, the fungi themselves also contain substances that can be difficult for the human body to digest. These include chitin, an indigestible fibre that forms the cell walls of mushrooms, as well as mannitol and trehalose, which are carbohydrates that are challenging for the intestines to process. As a result, consuming mushrooms can lead to digestive problems such as flatulence and diarrhoea.

The risk of gastrointestinal issues also depends on the type of mushroom and how it is prepared. Wild mushrooms, for example, should always be cooked before consumption, as they may contain toxins that are destroyed through cooking. Even edible wild mushrooms, such as the Coprinus genus, can cause illness when consumed with alcohol. This is because coprine, a substance found in these mushrooms, interferes with how the body processes alcohol, leading to an unpleasant reaction. To avoid this, it is recommended to avoid alcohol for several days before and after consuming wild mushrooms.

In addition to wild mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms can also cause gastrointestinal upset. These mushrooms contain psilocybin, which can lead to alterations in perception, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms typically begin within 30 minutes of ingestion and generally subside after 6 hours. However, it is important to note that the timing of symptom onset can vary depending on the type of mushroom and individual factors.

To minimise the risk of gastrointestinal issues when consuming mushrooms, it is important to properly identify the mushroom species and follow safe handling practices. This includes cooking wild mushrooms, avoiding raw mushrooms, and consuming only a small amount of a new mushroom at a time. If you experience any adverse reactions, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.

Frequently asked questions