The newest health craze attracting wellness aficionados is mushroom supplements. Functional mushrooms, which should not be confused with psychedelic “magic” mushrooms, have many health benefits and are used to make mushroom supplements. Gummies are probably the most appealing form of mushroom supplements compared to capsules and powders.
Let’s explore what mushroom gummies are, their benefits, and their downsides.
What are Mushroom Gummies?
Much like typical gummies, mushroom gummies include dried mushroom extract made from edible mushrooms. Functional mushrooms have been utilized in traditional medicine for generations, and their benefits go beyond the nutritional benefits we usually associate with cooked mushrooms.
With various minerals and ingredients combined into a handy, chewable, and sweet gummy treat, they’re a delightful form of food supplement. The excellent health potential of functional mushrooms has only recently been recognized in the west, which is why mushroom supplements are so popular. The key focus of these supplements, particularly the mushroom gummies, is to optimize the benefits of functional mushrooms in their robust form.
What’s inside a mushroom gummy?
The regular gummy vitamin is a little different from mushroom gummies. They contain a variety of medicinal mushrooms rather than just vitamins and minerals. It provides all the benefits of eating mushrooms in an easy-to-eat style because of the concentrated mushroom powders and extracts it contains. Additionally, gummies may include a single type of mushroom or a wide variety. You could discover the fungi mentioned below inside a mushroom gummy:
- White button
- Lion’s mane
- Maitake
- Cordyceps
- Shiitake
- Turkey tail
- Reishi
- Royal sun
- Chaga
Mushroom Gummies Benefits
Because mushroom gummies come from edible mushrooms, these supplements are a great source of healthy nutrients. These mushroom types contain rich blends of organic chemicals such as boosting immunity, improving or enhancing immune system function, and promoting better sleep.
Functional mushrooms contain beta-D-glucans known to protect the body from bacterial infection, viruses, and pathogenic microorganisms. Triterpenoids are compounds, when combined with beta-D-glucans, can increase immune function and fights off inflammation. Meanwhile, ergosterol is located in cell membranes and contains antioxidant, antiallergic, and antimicrobial properties [1].
The study also suggested that these mushrooms may boost energy and lessen fatigue [2].
Each mushroom combination found in various gummy products can provide numerous health benefits. The most frequent forms of mushroom extract and their related health benefits are listed below.
Lion’s Mane
This “smart mushroom” recognized for boosting brain health is also referred to as the lion’s mane. It provides cognitive health benefits known for stimulating attention and alertness, preventing brain fog, strengthening memory, and improving mental clarity.
Lion’s mane possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, like many other mushrooms. Aside from its healing properties, anti-inflammatories may potentially be a factor in the lion’s neuroprotective benefits.
Reishi
The anti-cancer abilities of several therapeutic superfood mushrooms were examined in a 2004 study. The result showed that reishi had the highest rate of killing cancer cells [3].
Additionally, reishi is well regarded in the medical community for its capacity to combat stomach and liver injuries. Reishi mushroom extract has a strong protective impact on the liver and stomach, according to animal research [4].
Turkey Tail
Turkey Tail is a rich source of antioxidants, which are essential for maintaining good health. It is also praised for its capacity to strengthen the immune system.
The powerful natural polysaccharides in turkey tail, such as polysaccharide K (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), are what make it so popular. Both PSK and PSP have potent immune-stimulating qualities. They enhance a potent immune response by stimulating certain immune cells and reducing inflammation.
Mushroom Gummies Downsides and Side Effects
While there is no doubting the delicious flavor and convenience of mushroom gummy supplements, there can also be some downsides to it. And the main downside is that gummies frequently lack the potency of traditional pill supplements.
While further research is needed, mushroom gummies may have fewer vitamins and minerals than other pill supplements. You’ll probably obtain more useful mushroom extracts from other types of supplements if the highest efficacy is what you’re after.
Mushroom candies also often include sugar, specifically added sugars, aside from varying concentrations of mushroom extracts and varying degrees of efficacy. Producing mushroom gummies require added sugars and sugar substitutes to achieve their delicious taste.
Aside from the fact that certain gummy vitamins contain sugar substitutes, these compounds could also have downsides. People who cannot ingest sorbitol or other sugar substitutes should completely avoid gummy vitamins since sugar alcohols are related to gastrointestinal problems and can have a laxative effect.
Lastly, these supplements have a shorter shelf life, so if you aren’t consuming mushroom gummies before their “use by” date, you might not be getting many potential health benefits.
Bottomline: The Benefits and Cons of Mushroom Gummies
The therapeutic value of mushroom gummies is broad, and they may promote greater health. The best part about mushroom gummies is that each one has a precise amount of mushroom extract and is easy to eat. You may choose a particular mushroom extract, or maybe a blend will fit your needs and preferences better.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- K.P.S.G.A.M.N.P.B.J.G.L.J.-C.J.D.J.B. (2020). Recovery of ergosterol and vitamin D2 from mushroom waste – Potential valorization by food and pharmaceutical industries, Trends in Food Science & Technology,. Science Direct. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S092422442030008X
- Lin B, Li S. Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
- Tomasi S, Lohézic-Le Dévéhat F, Sauleau P, Bézivin C, Boustie J. Cytotoxic activity of methanol extracts from Basidiomycete mushrooms on murine cancer cell lines. Pharmazie. 2004 Apr;59(4):290-3. PMID: 15125575.
- Lin JM, Lin CC, Chen MF, Ujiie T, Takada A. Radical scavenger and antihepatotoxic activity of Ganoderma formosanum, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Jun 23;47(1):33-41. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(95)01251-8. PMID: 7564419.
