Mushrooms: Beta-Glucans And Their Benefits

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that occur naturally in the cell walls of functional mushrooms, such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Maitake. They are a type of soluble fiber that has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improved immune system functionality, reduced cholesterol levels, and better gut health. While beta-glucans from other sources like yeast and cereals are well-known, mushrooms may provide unique opportunities for discovering novel therapeutic agents. Research suggests that beta-glucans in mushrooms exhibit immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, they have been shown to enhance innate and cell-mediated immune responses, making them a promising area of exploration for the development of new functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Beta-glucans are found in the cell walls of mushrooms

Mushrooms are a particularly good source of beta-glucans, with some studies showing that they contain between 0.21 and 0.53 grams of beta-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms. The highest levels of beta-glucans are found immediately before the spores begin to mature. Chanterelle mushrooms have the highest overall beta-glucan content, followed by shiitake, oyster, and white button mushrooms. Other types of mushrooms that contain notable amounts of beta-glucans include Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Maitake.

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides, which are long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages. These linkages are responsible for the linear and branching structures of beta-glucans, respectively. The macromolecular structure of mushroom beta-glucans consists of D-glucose monomers linked by β-type glycosidic linkages at two differing positions, 1,3 and 1,6. In comparison, alpha-glucans, which are less frequent in mushrooms, contain α-type links.

While beta-glucans from other sources like yeast and cereals are well-known, mushrooms may provide unique opportunities for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds with functional food potential. For example, beta-glucans from mushrooms have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including antimicrobial activities and the potential to enhance cell-mediated immune responses.

They have immunomodulatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties

Beta-glucans are soluble fibres found in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and some plants. They are also found in mushrooms, with the cell walls of mushroom cells being rich in beta-glucans. These beta-glucans consist of D-glucose monomers linked by beta-type glycosidic linkages at two differing positions, 1,3 and 1,6, responsible for their linear and branching structures, respectively.

Beta-glucans have been found to have immunomodulatory properties. They can directly bind to specific receptors of immune cells, triggering a group of immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. In a clinical trial, a syrup containing the pleuran beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus and vitamin C was tested against vitamin C alone in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. The group that received the beta-glucan syrup experienced reduced respiratory symptoms, although this was attributed to the potentiating effect of beta-glucan on vitamin C rather than the beta-glucan alone. Another study found that an extract from Agaricus blazei, known to be pro-inflammatory, reduced cytokine levels in the blood of healthy volunteers after oral intake for several days.

The anticancer properties of beta-glucans have been studied in human cancer patients, with limited clinical trials showing that beta-glucans are well tolerated. In one trial, oral beta-glucan was found to stimulate the proliferation and activation of peripheral blood monocytes in patients with advanced breast cancer. Additionally, beta-glucans have been found to act on immune receptors such as CR3, which is responsible for triggering cell lysis on iC3b-coated tumour cells.

Furthermore, beta-glucans exhibit antioxidant properties. They are believed to prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol from food, thus helping to prevent heart disease. They may also stimulate the immune system by increasing chemicals that prevent infections. The US FDA allows products containing at least 750 mg of beta-glucans to claim that they may reduce the risk of heart disease.

They are a type of dietary fibre

Beta-glucans are a type of dietary fibre found in the cell walls of mushrooms. They are long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, responsible for the linear and branching structures, respectively. The β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages are formed by D-glucose monomers linked by β-type glycosidic bonds. Mushroom beta-glucans are not easily broken down by the human digestive system, so they act as a soluble fibre, providing various health benefits.

Mushrooms are a rich source of beta-glucans, with the content ranging from 0.21 to 0.53 grams per 100 grams of mushrooms. Chanterelle mushrooms have the highest beta-glucan content, followed by shiitake, oyster, and white button mushrooms. Other mushroom species with notable beta-glucan content include Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Maitake.

Beta-glucans in mushrooms have been shown to have immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. They can help regulate the immune system, reducing inflammation and enhancing the body's ability to fight off infections. Additionally, beta-glucans can help maintain healthy gut bacteria, lower cholesterol levels, and stabilise blood sugar levels.

As a soluble fibre, beta-glucans dissolve partially in water, slowing the transit of food in the intestine. This slower digestion allows for the gradual absorption of carbohydrates, leading to increased satiety and better blood sugar control. Consuming beta-glucans can also help with cholesterol management as the fibre attaches to cholesterol in food, aiding its excretion from the body.

While the health benefits of beta-glucans are promising, it is important to note that not all beta-glucan sources are equal. The efficacy of beta-glucans can vary depending on their molecular masses, solubility, degree of polymerisation, structures, and helical conformation. Therefore, it is crucial to choose scientifically validated products or consume a variety of mushroom species to maximise the potential benefits of these dietary fibres.

They are more abundant in raw mushrooms

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that occur naturally in the cell walls of functional mushrooms, such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Maitake. They are also found in other foods such as oats, barley, bacteria, yeast, and algae. Beta-glucans are a type of dietary fiber that does not break down in the digestive system. They slow digestion, helping to stabilize blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and interact with immune cells.

Mushrooms are a rich source of beta-glucans, with beta-glucan content ranging from 0.21 to 0.53 grams per 100 grams of mushrooms. The highest levels of beta-glucans are found in mushrooms just before the spores begin to mature. While beta-glucans from other sources like yeasts and cereals are well-known, mushrooms may provide unique opportunities for discovering novel bioactives with functional food potential.

Mushroom beta-glucans have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. They can help enhance innate and cell-mediated immune responses, making them useful in treating inflammatory lung conditions and upper respiratory infections. Additionally, they have been shown to reduce tumor activity and lessen the side effects of cancer treatment.

Beta-glucan is most abundant in raw mushrooms because processing and cooking reduce the beta-glucan content. Consuming raw mushrooms can be challenging due to the presence of chitin, a rigid and difficult-to-digest material. Cooking mushrooms is essential to break down chitin, but it also reduces the beta-glucan content. To avoid this heat-driven degradation, people can opt for mushroom powders or capsules, which provide the benefits of beta-glucans without the need for cooking.

Overall, beta-glucans in mushrooms offer a range of health advantages, and their potential as therapeutic agents is being actively explored. While further research is needed, the current evidence suggests that incorporating mushrooms into one's diet may provide significant health benefits, particularly for the immune system, gut health, and heart health.

They are being used in supplements and functional foods

Beta-glucans are a type of dietary fibre called polysaccharides that occur naturally in the cell walls of functional mushrooms. They are a soluble fibre that carries powerful health benefits. They can be found in mushrooms such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Maitake, as well as in oats, barley, bacteria, yeast, and algae.

Mushroom beta-glucans are suggested to have multiple health benefits, including the potential to enhance innate and cell-mediated immune responses and antimicrobial activities. They have been shown to have both immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, and their potential clinical use has been tested in different conditions, such as recurrent infections of the respiratory tract or complications of major surgery.

Beta-glucans ingested as food or supplements reach the small intestine without any gastric digestion. They are then internalized by the intestinal epithelium and/or by the macrophages and presented to the immune cells within the Peyer’s patches in the intestine, and in distal lymphoid organs. As a soluble fibre, beta-glucans dissolve partially in water and slow the transit of food in the intestine. This allows carbohydrates to be absorbed more slowly, making us feel full for longer. This process positively impacts metabolism, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

There are now many mushroom beta-glucan supplements available on the market, such as Om functional mushroom powders or capsules, which feature certified organic Reishi mushrooms and support immunity, energy replenishment, and detoxification.

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