Functional mushrooms such as reishi and lion’s mane have been popular for several years. These functional foods, which range from coffee to powders and pills, have increased, especially since 2019, as individuals look for additional meals and supplements that enhance their immune systems.
These beneficial mushrooms belong to a class of foods known as nutraceuticals, including green tea and probiotics. However, what are they, how do they function, and how long do they last?
Nutraceuticals: what are they?
Combining the terms “nutrition,” “pharmaceutical,” and “nutraceutical” provides a wealth of information on the kinds of meals that fit into this category.
Nutraceuticals are goods made from already-existing food sources that provide health advantages beyond meeting our fundamental nutritional requirements, such as providing us with energy through carbohydrates. It has been demonstrated that these qualities promote general health and help control or avoid illness.
Although nutraceuticals can greatly improve our health, it’s crucial to remember that they shouldn’t be taken in place of entire foods.
How does one define nutraceutical?
Nutraceuticals include dietary supplements, medical foods, and functional foods (more on this later). Generally, a product must support certain health advantages to qualify as nutraceutical.
Among the essential traits are:
Bioactive compounds are substances that are found naturally and have an effect on how our bodies function. Fibre, flavonoids, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids are all excellent examples.
Advantages for health: Nutraceuticals ought to have qualities like enhancing immunological response, digestive health, heart health, or lowering inflammation.
- You may be shocked to learn that you currently take a nutraceutical of some kind. Similar to:
- Omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil supplements can help maintain healthy joints, the heart, and the brain.
- Supplements containing curcumin, derived from turmeric, are well-known for their ability to reduce inflammation.
- A certain bacteria found in probiotic supplements enhances intestinal health.
- Green tea extract, high in catechins and other antioxidants, has several health advantages, including accelerating metabolism.
- Let’s take a closer look at a few particular nutrients.
What are functional foods, and where can I find them?
One kind of nutraceutical made from a whole food is called a functional food.
- At Virgin Active, we firmly believe in a whole foods-based diet. So, before you go to the vitamin section, we advise including natural whole foods in your diet. Here’s what we mean when we talk about “functional foods.”
- Foods with added nutrients include vitamin D-fortified milk, bread and flour fortified with iron and folic acid, and orange juice fortified with calcium.
- Foods high in probiotic bacteria, such as yoghurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, are believed to promote gut health.
- Foods high in omega-3 include flaxseeds, chia seeds, and oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring).
- Wholegrains, such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats, are foods high in fibre that aid digestion and may lower your risk of heart disease.
- Foods high in antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These foods include broccoli, spinach, citrus fruits, and blueberries.
Let’s now discuss functional mushrooms.
One kind of functional food is functional mushrooms, which may have bioactive substances like terpenoids, polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and other phytonutrients. These nutrients support your brain, immune system, stress levels, and well-being.
Instead of cooked mushrooms, functional mushrooms are linked to therapeutic and medical benefits. We’ll examine a few of the more well-known ones.
Reishi mushrooms are utilised for heart health, stress reduction, immune system support, and better sleep.
Lion’s mane is well-known for improving memory, brain function, and nerve regeneration.
Because of its strong antioxidant content, chaga may help boost immunity, prevent oxidative stress, and promote general health.
The cordyceps are utilised to increase energy, improve your athletic performance and stamina, promote lung health, improve your oxygen consumption, produce energy, and improve your sexual function.
Maitake helps regulate weight, maintain appropriate blood sugar levels, boost your immune system, and enhance your general health.
- Turkey’s tail strengthens our body’s defences against infections and promotes digestive health.
- Shiitake promotes long life, heart health, cholesterol levels, and the immune system.
Is it safe to use functional mushrooms?
More research is required to comprehend functional mushroom advantages completely, especially in human clinical trials. However, a rising body of scientific research backs up the beneficial effects on health.
A few small-scale human studies have been conducted, but most research has been lab-based or involved animals. However, their benefits on your immune system, brain function, stress management, nerve cell protection, and energy levels are already encouraging.
Depending on the kind of mushroom, dosage, and personal medical history, most people can safely take functional mushrooms. As with anything new, it’s wise to discuss whether functional mushrooms are the appropriate move for you with your healthcare physician. Here are some things you can do after completing that.
How can I begin consuming medicinal mushrooms?
- To observe how your body reacts, start with a low dosage. If necessary, then gradually raise the dosage.
- Before combining mushrooms, do some research.
- Select premium supplements from reliable manufacturers.
Speaking about reliable companies, you want to look for an open and honest business about the ingredients, sources, and methods of contamination testing of its goods. The following are some things to be aware of:
- Organic certification
- Testing by third parties
- Openness
- The type of mushroom: as the mushroom’s fruiting body contains more bioactive components than the root system, you want a brand that employs the real mushroom.
- Method of extraction
Would you like to try nutraceuticals? Remember that before introducing supplements, attempt to receive them through entire foods.
Are you prepared to take your nutrition to the next level? Check out Virgin Active’s Nutrition Coaching program.