Are Mushroom Powders Healthy?

By now I’d imagine you have stumbled across mushroom powders and have a vague idea of the benefits they deliver, perhaps you’ve even taken the plunge and tried a chaga mushroom latte?

Or maybe you’re sat there finding this entire concept really confusing, mushroom powders are just for flavouring your food, right? Wrong, there is so much more to this collection of blended superfoods and in today’s blog post, we intend to explore further into this trending product.

So, stick around to find out more about mushroom powder and whether they’re healthy. For those of you still unsure about what exactly mushroom powder is and how it benefits the body, this next part is for you.

What is mushroom powder

There’s no beating around the bush, mushroom powder is exactly what you expect it to be, dried mushrooms that have been blended. Mushrooms themselves are a potent superfood containing a vast amount of health benefits, packed with antioxidants, vitamin D, protein, and fibre. These are just the culinary mushrooms used in stir fry’s, medical mushrooms can deliver so much more. The main difference between these mushrooms, is the fact you should avoid eating medical mushrooms raw, or whole meaning they are a lot more palatable when dried in powder form.

The most common medical mushrooms are,

• Shiitake
• Chaga
• Lion’s Mane
• Reishi
• Cordyceps
• Turkey Tail

All of these contain their own unique benefits and help improve your general health. You will often find that mushroom powders are blend of all these extracts, including others such as porcini, as these give the powder that flavoursome, earthy taste.

Some of the main benefits you can expect to notice when taking mushroom powder are.

• Support for cognitive and brain function
• Boosts energy levels and stamina for athletic performance
• Strengthens immunity and enables the body to ward off viruses and bacteria
• Helps to alleviate stress with proven anti-anxiety benefits
• Can improve blood glucose levels and maintain insulin levels too
• Supports all over good health helping to combat oxidised stress affecting all areas of the body, such as lungs and heart
• By combating oxidised stress and free radicals, you are also able to slow down signs of ageing

You can find out more about mushroom powder complex and how it benefits the body over on our dedicated blog post.

Are mushroom powders healthy?

Absolutely! As I’ve mentioned already, mushrooms are a superfood containing an impressive amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, all of which deliver a beneficial boost to your general health. You will also find that because mushroom powders often contain medical mushrooms there is even more nutrients.

You will also find that comparing a mushroom, to mushroom powder that the dried version contains a higher nutritional concentrate and provide a huge variety of antioxidants, prebiotics, vitamins, micronutrients, and amino acids. No denying this blend of superfoods certainly packs and punch.

The beauty of mushroom powder is the fact it can be added to everything, from a salad dressing to your morning coffee and surprisingly, you won’t find the taste too noticeable. The one thing you will notice though is the benefits of the added antioxidants and nutrients. Having said that, you can have too much of a good thing, so always ensure you check the instructions and dosage on the packaging.

Are mushroom powders safe?

Yes, it is generally considered mushroom powders are safe to have. However, everyone is different, and each type of mushroom carries with it, its own precautions.

Reishi extracts for example are recommended to have for the maximum of a year, and some find they experience side effects after taking the mushroom powder for 16 weeks. These side effects are, dizziness, itching, upset stomach, nausea, and rash.

If you are pregnant or currently breast-feeding, there is some lacking evidence to proof how effective and safe it is to introduce mushroom powder into your routine. There are also other health conditions, such as Chron’s disease and bleeding disorders that suggest you avoid certain types of mushrooms. Therefore, as natural as a mushroom powder supplement may be, it is still advisable to seek the help of a doctor or medical professional before adding it into your daily diet.

What are the side effects of mushroom powder?

As mentioned above, it is thought that mushroom powders are safe to use without the worry of many side effects. If you find you experience some mild stomach discomfort, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth, these may be a sign that the mushroom powder is the wrong blend for you.

This is when I would suggest you stop using this product and take a closer look at the ingredients list. It’s also a good idea to make note of the dosage you take as this may also be a reason why you are suffering from some side effects. Do not use this product again until you have got the green light from a GP or medical professional.

Which mushroom powder is the healthiest?

Chaga is thought to be the healthiest mushroom as it contains the highest number of antioxidants. The way antioxidants work in the body is by warding off the damage caused by oxidised stress and free radicals that the body and skin are exposed to on a daily basis. You will also find that chaga helps to defend against flare-ups, such as inflammation in different areas of the body. It can also combat against bacteria, disease, viruses, and the common cold.

Does mushroom powder keep you awake?

Yes, certain types of mushroom powder can keep you awake, especially those containing extracts of lion’s mane. This is because this mushroom type can help stimulate energy levels and help you kick start your day, which is probably why so many of us enjoy a scoop of mushroom powder in our morning coffee. If you are wanting to have a restful evening and fall asleep at a reasonable hour, I would suggest not having any mushroom powder past 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

There you have a little more about mushroom powder and finding out how healthy it is. Don’t forget to come and find us on Instagram if you have any further questions.