is mushroom powder good for you?

Mushrooms are a fungus, but that hasn’t deterred most Americans from adding them to meals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American eats approximately three pounds of mushrooms a year. And now there’s even more reason to work mushrooms into your diet.

Mushrooms powder bring a savory flavor to meals without adding much fat, calories or sodium. But the health benefits don’t stop there. Researchers continue to uncover how mushrooms can ward off chronic disease and improve your everyday health. Read on to discover seven ways that mushrooms can benefit your health.

What Is Mushroom Powder?

Mushroom extract powders are categorized into several distinct types, each offering unique health benefits. Common varieties include reishi mushroom extract, known for its potential to enhance immune function; lion’s mane mushroom extract, recognized for its cognitive-supporting properties; and cordyceps extract , associated with increased energy and stamina. Additionally, turkey tail mushroom extract is celebrated for its potential role in gut health, while chaga mushroom extract powder is revered for its antioxidant properties. These extracts are often utilized in dietary supplements and wellness products, reflecting the growing interest in the medicinal qualities of mushrooms.

Types of Mushroom Powder

Mushrooms contain a variety of natural vitamins and mineral, such as the antioxidant Selenium and important B vitamins like Niacin, Riboflavin, and Pantothenic Acid.

Here are a few additional benefits of mushroom powder relative to each mushroom species:

White Mushroom Powder

White mushrooms provide a variety of health-promoting advantages, including enhanced heart health, better blood sugar control, cancer-preventative qualities, and improved gut health.

Brown Mushroom Powder

Brown mushrooms are known to help fight cancerous cells, reduce fatigue, improve cardiovascular health, increase the quality of gut health, and provide plenty of vitamin D and potassium.

Cordyceps Mushroom Powder

Cordyceps have been shown to enhance lung function, respiratory health, and oxygen uptake and may increase energy by increasing the synthesis of ATP in the body.

Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder

Lion's mane may enhance memory focus, concentration, and brain function. Beta-glucans, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that protect against neurodegenerative diseases are all present in high concentrations in lion's mane mushrooms.

Maitake Mushroom Powder

Beta-glucans and antioxidants found in maitake have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, improve arterial function, lower blood pressure, and boost the immune system.

Reishi Mushroom Powder

Reishi is high in polysaccharides and is thought to help boost the immune system. It may enhance the quality of sleep, regulate blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol, all while potentially diminishing anxiety and depression. It has also been known to help with weight loss and may fight cancer cells.

Shiitake Mushroom Powder

Shiitake contains beneficial substances that stop the liver from producing and absorbing cholesterol. Abundant in B vitamins, these mushrooms may help to maintain a healthy inflammatory response and balance blood glucose levels.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder

Turkey tail is rich in antioxidants and supports the immune system with various polysaccharides. It also contains a substance that may help improve the response to chemotherapy by people with certain types of cancer.

Chaga Mushroom Powder

These beneficial mushrooms may aid with digestion, boost the immune system, control inflammation, raise HDL, lower LDL, and possess adaptogenic properties. They may also help with anti-aging, as they contain antioxidants.

Blazei Mushroom Powder

These mushrooms are known for their immune system-boosting properties and high blood pressure-reducing benefits. They also support insulin resistance and contain anti-inflammatory elements.

 

How Mushroom powder can benefits you?

1. Decrease the risk of cancer

A review(Link is external) of 17 cancer studies from 1966 to 2020 shows that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms (equal to about a 1/8-cup or two medium mushrooms) a day may lower your risk of cancer by as much as 45%. Mushrooms are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage.

Some mushroom varieties (such as shiitake, oyster, maitake and king oyster) have higher amounts of ergothioneine. But researchers found that incorporating any variety of mushrooms into your daily diet will lower your risk of cancer.

2. Lower sodium intake

Sodium and high blood pressure often go hand in hand. Sodium causes the body to retain excess fluid, which can increase blood pressure. To decrease your sodium intake, consider adding mushrooms to your meals.

Mushrooms are naturally low in sodium – an entire cup of white button mushrooms has just five milligrams of sodium. They offer savory flavor that reduces the need for added salt to keep your blood pressure low. A study(Link is external) from the Culinary Institute of American and UC Davis shows that swapping half of the meat for mushrooms in a traditional ground beef recipe can maintain flavor while reducing sodium intake by 25%.

3. Promote lower cholesterol

Mushrooms make an excellent substitute for red meat while minimizing calories, fat and cholesterol. Research shows that shiitake mushrooms, in particular, help to keep cholesterol levels low. They contain compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol, block cholesterol from being absorbed and lower the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.

 

4. Protect brain health

Researchers continue to study the effects of eating mushrooms on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI causes memory and language difficulties and is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

In a study(Link is external) in Singapore, participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms a week had a 50% lower risk of developing MCI. Even those who ate only one cup saw some benefit. The mushrooms eaten by participants included golden, oyster, shiitake and white button mushrooms.

5. Provide a source of vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones. Many people rely on supplements or sunshine to get vitamin D, but if you’re looking to get this nutrient through your diet, mushrooms may be the answer. They are the only type of produce that is a source of vitamin D.

Like humans, certain mushrooms exposed to UV light or sunlight can increase their vitamin D amounts. White button, portabella and cremini mushrooms provide the most vitamin D after exposure to UV light or sunlight. To get the recommended daily amount, slice three mushrooms (or one portabella), expose them to sunlight for at least 15 minutes and enjoy. Eating a little more than one cup of maitake mushrooms achieves the same goal without the need for sun exposure.

6. Stimulate a healthier gut

The microbiome in your gut is home to organisms and bacteria that play a large role in your health and mood. One way to keep your gut healthy is to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in that space with the use of prebiotics, such as mushrooms.

Research shows that mushroom polysaccharides, their most abundant carbohydrate, stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria. While many foods break down with stomach acid, the polysaccharides found in mushrooms pass through the stomach unchanged and can reach the colon to encourage bacteria growth there.

 

 

7. Support a healthy immune system

Mushrooms contain macronutrients that support a healthy immune system. According to the Mushroom Council, your immune system will benefit from mushrooms whose nutrients include:

Selenium, which helps your body make antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage. Choose cremini or portabella mushrooms for the most benefit.

Vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function and reduces inflammation. Maitake mushrooms offer an easy way to add vitamin D to your diet.

Vitamin B6, which helps your body form red blood cells, proteins and DNA. Shiitake mushrooms are the best choice for vitamin B6.

 

 

How to Use Mushroom Powder

Not only does mushroom powder offer a variety of nutrients and health benefits, but it’s also a versatile ingredient that you can use in many different ways. Here are just a few of the ways you can use mushroom powder:

Smoothie Boosts -Immunity, Energy, Focus

Adaptogenic & Nootropic Supplements

Superfood Juice, Tea, Coffee & Shakes

Healthy, Functional Snacks

Superfood Chocolate Bars

Protein-based Nutrition Shakes & Bars

 

 

Conclusion

Mushrooms are a common and nutritious food, recognized around the world for their potential health benefits. With a range of safe, edible types to choose from, you can eat them in a sandwich, mix them into soups and salads or even substitute them for meat. They contain important substances known to ward off disease, while their interesting flavors and textures add flair to any dish. Impress guests — and yourself — with a healthy serving or two.

Knowing the source of your mushroom powder products is very important at a time when online shopping is at an all-time high. Yangge Biotech's commitment to quality means controlling the cultivation and manufacturing process at every stage according to the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) to bring our customers the best possible product. Our mushroom powders are submitted for third-party testing to ensure that the products you receive are unparalleled in their safety, integrity, purity, and quality. Contact us today for inquiry!