Why are so many people using mushroom supplements, and what’s in them? While the history of the mushrooms we call “functional mushrooms” is steeped in many years of legend and mysticism, mushroom supplements are a down-to-earth way of supplementing your diet. There’s still an element of mystery surrounding the species of mushrooms used in this context, but mushroom nutrition facts show that no matter what qualities some people attribute to them, the nutritional value of mushrooms makes them a perfectly sensible choice as a supplement. Of course, you’ll be curious about just what these nutrients are and how they can benefit you, so we’ll examine the nutrition in mushrooms and how it can help your body in greater detail. But before we begin, let’s take a quick look at what functional mushrooms are and which species are used in mushroom supplements. What are Functional Mushrooms? For centuries, particularly in China and Japan, certain mushrooms have been valued for their healthy benefits. Today, many of these species have been recognised as containing super nutrients that may boost immunity, cognitive health, sleep, gut health and help us to cope better with stress. Since functional mushrooms are a great contributor to good nutrition, benefits that may include enhanced energy levels and healthy skin, become part of the package. The name tells us that these mushrooms can help the body to function better and that’s what we aim for when we adopt a healthy lifestyle. What Types of Mushrooms are “Functional”? As you probably guessed, your typical button mushrooms aren’t on the list of functional mushrooms. Some of the mushrooms that have earned a place in the world of functional mushrooms are very good to eat, while others, though edible, aren’t the kind of thing you’d usually want to eat as they are. For example, although Reishi mushrooms are nutritious, they’re also too bitter to eat and have a woody texture. The most widely-used functional mushrooms include Shiitake or oyster mushrooms, Reishi which is a bracket fungus, Chaga, which is botanically classed as a sclerotium, Maitake, a polypore bracket and Lion’s Mane, a tooth fungus. There are differences between how each of these mushroom species acts, but what they have in common is a rich cocktail of nutrients that people recognised as beneficial before they even knew much about how the body worked. Of course, that led to a “magical” reputation. After all, if a food made people feel well, the only way to explain it back then was in mystical terms. Today, although we still have a lot to learn, we understand more about the body and nutrition and are better able to explain why these mushrooms “function” to enhance wellness. The Nutritional Value of Functional Mushrooms Since we’re talking about a whole, natural product rather than an extract or synthetic copy of an ingredient found in nature, you can be sure that functional mushrooms contain a great many organic compounds. Science is still trying to prove the specifics of how they may help wellness, but there are also more familiar nutrients which we understand well. For example, functional mushrooms grown with exposure to natural light contain a healthy amount of Vitamin D, a mood-lifting, antioxidant vitamin that contributes to healthy bone and muscle tissue. During winter and spring, among people who don’t eat animal protein, and in those who don’t digest food well, Vitamin D is often in short supply. On average, 1 in 5 UK adults has low Vitamin D levels. Functional mushrooms are also rich in B-Vitamins which help almost every system in the body to function efficiently. Benefits might include greater mental clarity, better metabolism, and healthy skin and hair. Like most supplements with organic origins, there’s also a wide range of minerals and trace elements to benefit from. Functional mushrooms are recognised as a source of zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, selenium and phosphorus to name but a few. In summarising their benefits, we can say that minerals are important constituents of the body that can affect your physical wellbeing when you aren’t getting enough of them in your diet. For example, minerals have a role in nerve function, and affect the way enzymes work, and some minerals deliver antioxidant properties too. Amino acids are proteins that the body uses as building blocks, and functional mushrooms contain nine essential amino acids in varying concentrations depending on the species. Functional mushrooms offer us a relatively rare amino acid with antioxidant properties known as ergothioneine, and our bodies seem to be geared to receive it and transport it to places where oxidative stress occurs. A related antioxidant amino acid component, glutathione, is also worth mentioning, although it can be found in a wider range of foods than ergothioneine. Apart from amino acids, unique polysaccharides in functional mushrooms, for example beta glucans, should be of interest to anyone looking to improve their wellbeing. They’re believed to stimulate the immune system and may have even more additional properties that researchers are currently examining. Functional Mushrooms: A Health-Giving Natural Supplement Given the nutritional value of mushrooms, using the most nutritious species in supplements is a smart thing to do. However, it’s always wise to talk to your doctor about supplements you plan to use when you are receiving treatment for an illness, are using medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Since people have been using these mushrooms for centuries with no harmful effects, they’re certainly safe for most people to use. But, your body may need time to get used to the new “super food” you are giving it. Do start low with small servings when trying mushroom supplements for the first time and go slow. Could functional mushrooms give you the nutritional boost you need most? The best way to find out is to give them a try! If you’re ready to benefit from the unique balance of nutrients found in functional mushrooms, Grass & Co. is pleased to announce that it has developed a complete collection of mushroom supplements based on some of the most remarkable mushrooms found in the world today. To make your choice an easy one, we’ve named each supplement according to the most prominent benefit that each species of mushroom is believed to confer. Decide if you want to FOCUS, have greater POWER, boost your internal BIOME, rest better and DREAM more deeply, or just RELAX and recharge. Whichever you choose, you can be sure of an natural nutritional boost. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. More about functional mushrooms
