Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are neither plant nor animal, but they have been praised for their medicinal properties for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern scientific research has found that mushrooms are a good source of fibre and polyphenols, which support a healthy gut microbiome. They are also rich in protein and contain many micronutrients, including vitamin D and vitamin B12. In particular, mushrooms have been found to have therapeutic potential in preventing and ameliorating hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, strokes, and renal complications. This article will explore the different types of mushrooms that have been found to lower blood pressure and the ways in which they can be incorporated into the diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of mushrooms that lower blood pressure | Maitake, Shiitake, M. androsaceus, L. edodes, S. crispa, Oyster, Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps |
| Mechanism of action | The anti-hypertensive effect of mushrooms is attributed to their bio-active components, such as 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (TMP) extracted from M. androsaceus. |
| Evidence of effectiveness | Studies have shown that feeding hypertensive rats diets containing mushroom powder or extracts resulted in significantly lowered blood pressure. Human studies suggest that greater mushroom consumption is associated with lower blood triglycerides and improved cardiometabolic health. |
| Recommended intake | The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends including fresh mushrooms in the diet as a source of potassium to help control blood pressure. |
| Other benefits | Mushrooms are a good source of fiber, polyphenols, protein, and micronutrients. They are one of the few vegan sources of vitamin B12 and can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. |
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What You'll Learn
- Maitake mushrooms lower blood pressure in rats
- M. androsaceus, a Chinese medicinal mushroom, has anti-hypertensive effects
- Oyster mushrooms may improve cardiovascular health
- Shiitake mushrooms prevent fat deposition and lower triglyceride levels
- Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure
Maitake mushrooms lower blood pressure in rats
Hypertension is a chronic condition characterised by elevated arterial blood pressure. It is a prominent causative factor of strokes and can lead to multi-organ dysfunctions. While synthetic anti-hypertensive drugs are available, they have been associated with various side effects. As a result, there is a growing interest in natural, food-based alternatives for managing hypertension.
Mushrooms, known for their abundance of bioactive components, have been recognised for their therapeutic potential in complementary medicine and as a functional food. Several varieties of mushrooms, including maitake, have been studied for their anti-hypertensive effects.
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) has been shown to reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In one study, SHRs were fed a diet containing 5% maitake mushroom powder for nine weeks, resulting in a significant reduction in blood pressure. Another study found that feeding maitake to SHRs for an eight-week period significantly lowered their blood pressure, with no difference in plasma total and free cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Additionally, maitake mushroom extracts have been found to ameliorate progressive hypertension in aging female rats. In this study, commercially available maitake fractions SX and D were added to the diets of mature female Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that these fractions could halt and even reverse sugar-induced and age-related elevations in systolic blood pressure (SBP).
The anti-hypertensive effect of maitake mushrooms is well-documented in rat studies, suggesting their potential as a natural intervention for hypertension. However, further research is needed to understand their mechanism of action and applicability in human subjects.
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M. androsaceus, a Chinese medicinal mushroom, has anti-hypertensive effects
Hypertension is a chronic condition characterised by elevated arterial blood pressure. It can lead to multi-organ dysfunctions, including cardiovascular disease, strokes, and renal complications. While synthetic anti-hypertensive drugs are available, they have been associated with various side effects. This has led to a growing interest in natural, food-based alternatives, such as mushrooms, which have been recognised for their therapeutic potential in complementary and alternative medicine.
M. androsaceus, also known as Marasmius androsaceus, is a traditional Chinese edible-medicinal mushroom. It has been found to possess various pharmacological activities, including anti-hypertensive properties. Research has identified a bioactive component in M. androsaceus called 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (TMP), which has been shown to have consistent anti-hypertensive effects.
In one study, the administration of TMP to hypertensive rats resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) within 30 minutes, lasting for up to 4 hours at dosages of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg. The chemical structure of TMP was also found to be similar to that of another compound known for its anti-hypertensive effects.
Additionally, M. androsaceus has been found to have antidepressant, analgesic, and antioxidant effects in mice and rat models. These effects have been attributed to the exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by the mushroom through microorganism secretion.
Overall, M. androsaceus, a Chinese medicinal mushroom, has demonstrated anti-hypertensive effects in preclinical studies, making it a potential natural therapeutic option for managing hypertension. However, further research is needed to fully understand its safety and efficacy in humans.
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Oyster mushrooms may improve cardiovascular health
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a chronic condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease, strokes, and renal complications. It is a significant health concern, as more than 40% of people with high blood pressure are unaware they have it, which can triple the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Mushrooms have been recognized for their therapeutic benefits in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and modern research has supported their medicinal properties. A meta-analysis of over 30,000 people found that eating mushrooms reduced the risk of mortality from any cause.
While studies have shown the blood pressure-lowering effects of various mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake, and G. frondosa, oyster mushrooms have specifically been linked to improved cardiovascular health. A review of eight studies suggested that consuming oyster mushrooms may improve cardiometabolic health, although the evidence was considered weak due to potential bias. A more recent review of 22 studies found similar results, indicating that increased mushroom consumption may lower blood triglycerides and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, contributing to better cardiovascular health.
Oyster mushrooms are not the only type of mushroom with potential cardiovascular benefits. The white button mushroom, for example, is a good source of potassium, which helps counteract the negative effects of sodium on blood pressure. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms have been found to prevent fat deposition and lower triglyceride levels in rats fed a high-fat diet.
Overall, while the direct evidence for oyster mushrooms' impact on cardiovascular health is limited, mushrooms in general have been associated with improved cardiovascular health and reduced blood pressure. Further research is needed to confirm the specific effects of oyster mushrooms and other varieties. In the meantime, incorporating a variety of mushrooms into a healthy diet can be a great way to support overall cardiovascular well-being.
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Shiitake mushrooms prevent fat deposition and lower triglyceride levels
Several edible mushrooms have been studied for their potential to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension. One such mushroom is the shiitake mushroom, or Lentinus edodes, which is the second most popular edible-medicinal mushroom worldwide.
Shiitake mushrooms have been found to prevent fat deposition and lower triglyceride levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. In one study, rats were given low, medium, and high doses of shiitake mushroom powder (7, 20, and 60 g/kg, respectively) in their high-fat diets for six weeks. The results showed that the rats on the high-dose mushroom diet had significantly lower body weight gain and total fat deposition compared to the other groups. Specifically, the high-dose group had 35% lower total fat deposition and 55% lower plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels compared to the high-fat diet group.
The study also revealed a negative correlation between the amount of shiitake mushroom supplementation and body weight gain, plasma TAG, and total fat masses. This indicates that as the dosage of shiitake mushroom increases, these factors decrease. Additionally, the high-dose shiitake mushroom diet was found to significantly prevent total fat deposition and lower plasma TAG levels compared to a diet without shiitake mushroom supplementation.
While the above study focused on the effects of shiitake mushroom powder, another study by Kabir and Kimura in 2011 examined the effects of whole shiitake mushrooms. They found that giving 5% shiitake mushroom to spontaneous hypertensive rats for eight weeks did not significantly lower adipose tissue compared to a control group. However, it is important to note that this study used a lower dosage of shiitake mushrooms and did not focus specifically on fat deposition and triglyceride levels.
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Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure
Mushrooms have been recognized for their therapeutic benefits in alternative and complementary medicine. They are a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure. For instance, fresh white button mushrooms contain 318 milligrams of potassium or 9% of the Daily Value in each ½ cup serving. Getting a little more potassium will help counteract the effects of too much sodium on blood pressure.
The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends eating more foods rich in potassium, including fresh mushrooms, to control blood pressure. For instance, you can add ½ cup of white button mushrooms to your omelet or scrambled eggs instead of ½ cup of cheddar cheese. This way, you will benefit from twice the potassium (111 mg) and save 349 mg of sodium.
Moreover, you can mix 1 cup of diced grilled portabella mushrooms into pasta or pasta sauce instead of sausage. This will provide you with almost three times the potassium (630 mg) and save 632 mg of sodium. You can also use ½ cup of white button mushrooms with dips instead of corn chips to save 552 mg of sodium and gain an extra 31 mg of potassium.
In addition to their potassium content, mushrooms have been found to exhibit anti-hypertensive effects. For example, the shiitake mushroom (*Lentinus edodes*) has been studied for its ability to lower triglycerides in rats fed a high-fat diet. Similarly, the maitake mushroom has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) when fed for an 8-week period.
The bio-active component 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (TMP) extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom *M. androsaceus* has demonstrated consistent anti-hypertensive effects. S. crispa, another type of mushroom, has been found to significantly inhibit the rise in blood pressure and exhibit stroke-amelioration properties in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsSP).
While the evidence suggests that mushrooms have the potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Many mushrooms have been found to have anti-hypertensive properties, including Shiitake, Maitake, and Reishi.
Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which helps to counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure.
Yes, mushrooms are a good source of fiber and polyphenols, which support gut health. They are also rich in protein and contain many micronutrients, including vitamins D and B12.
There is no clear answer to this question as the studies done so far have focused on animals, not humans. However, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends eating more foods rich in potassium, including fresh mushrooms, to help control blood pressure.
While mushrooms have many health benefits, it is important to remember that not all mushrooms are safe to eat. There are thousands of types of mushrooms, but only about 2,000 are edible. Some mushrooms can make you very sick, so it is important to know what you are doing if you are picking and eating wild mushrooms.
