Emma Wilson
Lion's mane mushrooms, or Hericium erinaceus, are large, white mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane. They have culinary and medicinal uses in Asia and have been cultivated as food and medicine for centuries. In terms of macronutrients, lion's mane mushrooms are fairly average. A 100g serving contains 35 calories, 7g of carbohydrates, and 2.4g of protein. They are also a good source of potassium and iron.
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What You'll Learn
Lion's mane mushrooms contain 7g of carbohydrates per 100g serving
Lion's mane mushrooms, or Hericium erinaceus, are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane. They have culinary and medicinal uses in Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and Korea, and have been cultivated as food and medicine for centuries.
Lion's mane mushrooms are a good source of nutrition, with a 100g serving providing 35 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates, and about 2.4 grams of protein. They also contain a decent amount of potassium and iron. In addition to their nutritional value, lion's mane mushrooms offer a range of health benefits, including improved cognitive function, nerve regeneration, and enhanced memory.
The mushrooms have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies have also found that lion's mane extract can help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for memories and emotional responses.
In addition to its benefits for brain health, lion's mane has been found to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and improve lipid profiles. It may also help manage diabetes by improving blood sugar management and reducing nerve pain in the hands and feet. With its range of nutritional and health benefits, lion's mane mushrooms are a valuable addition to one's diet and overall health.
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They have been shown to improve cognitive function
Lion's mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane. They are also known as Hericium erinaceus, hedgehog mushrooms, hou tou gu, or yamabushitake. They have been used both as food and medicine in Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and Korea. A 100g serving of lion's mane provides 35 calories, with 7g of carbohydrates and about 2.4 grams of protein.
Lion's mane mushrooms have been shown to improve cognitive function and nerve regeneration, which may benefit those with dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, anxiety, depression, and muscle spasms. Modern scientific tests have revealed that lion’s mane does offer a number of nootropic (mind-affecting) benefits, boosting cognitive function and enhancing memory.
The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in older adults. Lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that can stimulate the growth of brain cells. Animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss. Lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2020 study of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared to a placebo. Another small human study found that younger adults who took capsules of lion's mane mushroom powder showed improved mental performance speed. Additionally, a 2010 study of menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane mushrooms daily for 1 month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation, anxiety, and depression.
Lion's mane mushrooms contain substances that may contribute to nerve growth and may boost thinking and memory processes. They may also help protect against Alzheimer’s and other types of cognitive decline. However, it is important to note that most of the research on lion's mane mushrooms has been conducted on animals or in test tubes, and more human studies are needed to validate the findings.
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They may help with diabetes management by improving blood sugar management
Lion's mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane as they grow. They are also known as Hericium erinaceus, hou tou gu, or yamabushitake. They have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and are still widely used in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, India, and China.
Lion's mane mushrooms are believed to have numerous health benefits, including improved cognitive function, nerve regeneration, and protection against Alzheimer's disease. They are also thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties, as well as the potential to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, ulcers, and diabetes in animals.
One of the key potential benefits of lion's mane mushrooms is their ability to help with diabetes management. Diabetes is a disease characterized by impaired blood sugar management, which can lead to chronically high blood sugar levels and serious complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision loss. Lion's mane mushrooms have been shown in animal studies to significantly lower blood sugar levels in both normal and diabetic mice, even at low dosages. This effect is attributed to the mushroom's ability to block the activity of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the small intestine. By inhibiting this enzyme, the body's ability to digest and absorb carbohydrates is reduced, resulting in lower blood sugar levels.
In addition to improving blood sugar management, lion's mane mushrooms may also help reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet. Animal studies have shown that daily supplementation with lion's mane extract can significantly reduce pain and lower blood sugar levels in mice with diabetic nerve damage. The extract has also been found to increase antioxidant levels, which may contribute to its beneficial effects on diabetes management.
While the research on lion's mane mushrooms and diabetes management is promising, it is important to note that most studies have been conducted on animals, and more human studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits. However, the preliminary evidence suggests that lion's mane mushrooms may be a valuable therapeutic supplement for individuals with diabetes, helping to manage blood sugar levels and reduce associated complications.
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They have anti-inflammatory properties
A 100g serving of lion's mane mushroom contains 7g of carbohydrates. The lion's mane mushroom, or Hericium erinaceus, has been cultivated for centuries as food and medicine. It is believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which have been supported by various animal studies.
Lion's mane has been shown to have positive effects on the brain, heart, and gut. Research has found that lion's mane extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice. Further animal studies have found that lion's mane extract can help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. Researchers believe that improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in anxious and depressive behaviours in mice receiving these extracts.
A small 2010 study of menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion's mane mushrooms daily for one month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety. Lion's mane extract may also help speed recovery from nervous system injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. Additionally, lion's mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage.
Lion's mane mushrooms have also been shown to have antioxidant properties, which can help fight inflammation and oxidation in the body. A 2021 study found that lion's mane exhibits high antioxidant activity, especially when researchers used ethanol to extract its bioactive compounds. Furthermore, research on mice suggests that lion's mane mushrooms may boost the activity of the intestinal immune system.
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They are used in traditional Chinese medicine
A 100g serving of lion's mane mushroom contains 7g of carbohydrates and about 2.4g of protein, in addition to providing 35 calories. Lion's mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane as they grow. They are also known as hedgehog mushrooms and, more formally, Hericium erinaceus, hou tou gu, or yamabushitake. They have culinary and medicinal uses in Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and Korea.
Lion's mane mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are considered the world's first "smart mushroom," with proven improvements in cognitive function and nerve regeneration, which could benefit those suffering from dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, anxiety, depression, and muscle spasms. They have also been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and improve the lipid profile.
Lion's mane mushrooms contain two special compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that can stimulate the growth of brain cells. They have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer's disease. A 2020 study found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion's mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores in people with mild Alzheimer's disease compared to a placebo.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lion's mane is believed to have multiple beneficial activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, antihypertensive, antineoplastic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties. It is also used as a tonic for the five internal organs: the heart, liver, lung, spleen, and kidney. Lion's mane has been revered by a sect of Buddhist monks, who wear a garment known as suzukake that resembles the lion's mane mushroom.
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Frequently asked questions
A 100g serving of lion's mane mushrooms contains 7g of carbohydrates.
Lion's mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion's mane. They are formally known as Hericium erinaceus and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
Lion's mane mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, improve cognitive function, boost memory, and protect the brain from Alzheimer's-related damage. They are also being studied for their potential benefits in treating diabetes, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and more.
Lion's mane mushrooms have an earthy and slightly bitter flavour. They can be consumed fresh or dried and added to coffee, tea, smoothies, or dessert recipes. They can also be made into a tea by adding 1/2 teaspoon to a mug of hot water.
While lion's mane mushrooms have been used traditionally and are generally considered safe, more human studies are needed to fully understand their effects. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your diet.
