Spotlight on functional mushrooms

Functional mushrooms are one of the hottest wellness trends at the moment. YHL finds out more

Functional mushrooms have been revered for centuries in various cultures for their many health benefits. From chaga to lion's mane, and reishi to cordyceps, functional mushrooms have recently gained popularity in the wellness sphere. They are particularly noted for their abilities to support mood, energy levels, sleep, stress and more.

Chaga
In her book Plant Feasts: Recipes for slow living in a fast-paced world, Frankie Paz describes chaga as an "adaptogen, immune booster, inflammation tamer – a universe-in-one mushroom known as the ultimate health booster". She adds: "It is said to slow the ageing process with its anti-inflammatory cell-strengthening power. It also protects against DNA damage. Very nutrient dense. Tastes earthy."

Lion's mane
"Lion's mane is a functional mushroom with incredible benefits for the nervous system," says Clarissa Berry, a nutritionist with the functional mushroom brand DIRTEA, (www.dirteaworld.com).

"It can boost mental performance, memory and focus, making it a wonderful addition to your morning routine. It's also mood-balancing and supports healthy digestion. Lion's mane is an adaptogen, meaning it's a natural compound that supports the body's ability to deal with stress, improve mental and physical performance, and promote overall wellbeing. They are non-toxic and have a normalising effect on the body's system. Since stress has such a huge impact on all aspects of health, adaptogens such as lion's mane are an incredible tool for optimising wellness in this day and age."

Reishi
In her book Plant Feasts: Recipes for slow living in a fast-paced world, Frankie Paz describes the reishi mushroom as an "immune and energy booster". She adds: "This little mushroom is one of the best immune boosters in the world. Bold statement but I'll own it. They call it the shroom of immortality. It nourishes the heart and reawakens the spirit, creating feelings of centeredness. It can soothe allergies, protect the liver and support brain function. It has a slight bitter, earthy taste."

Cordyceps
"Cordyceps is often used to provide a smooth, sustained, caffeine-free energy lift and a boost in athletic performance," says Clarissa Berry. "It is thought that it does this by supporting cellular energy systems and improving your cells' ability to use oxygen. Better oxygen utilisation can increase the production of ATP, the molecule used as energy currency throughout the body. With more ATP available, you naturally have more energy to complete your daily tasks or hit the gym. Studies indicate that cordyceps can delay exercise fatigue and support recovery post-exercise."

Functional mushrooms are commonly available in various supplement forms, including capsules, powders and tinctures, making it easy to incorporate their benefits into daily routines. Mushroom teas and coffee blends have also gained popularity in recent times. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of functional mushrooms are even being utilised in skincare products. But what should you bear in mind when you are choosing a mushroom supplement?

"One of the main things to look for in a good quality functional mushroom supplement is that the extract or powder contains the fruiting body of the mushroom," says Clarissa Berry. "The fruiting body contains the highest concentration of active ingredients, such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other active compounds found in functional mushrooms which offer natural, health-boosting properties.

Another thing to look for is the extraction process used, as this can define the bioavailability of the active compounds and therefore their potency and power. Ideally, you should be looking for a dual extraction process which uses both an alcohol extraction and a water extraction. This is because some of the active compounds in functional mushrooms are soluble in water (at high temperatures) and others in alcohol, so using both will ensure you get the maximum benefit."

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