Mushrooms are everywhere right now - and not just in our risotto. Their benefits are felt in beauty formulas, lattes, teas, and powders, each capitalising on the claims that they have superpowers. But the power of functional mushrooms offers brain-boosting, stress-reducing, immunity-fueling, and energy-enhancing benefits. Read on to discover why they may be the future of the wellness world by editor Trudi Brewer.
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As a mushroom lover, I am constantly amazed by their beauty. With more than 14,000 species, mushrooms' benefits have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. While some are deadly, others have the power to heal and nourish.
One advocate for the ‘shroom boom’ is GO Healthy’s naturopath Kerry Locatelli, who believes integrating fungi into your diet can boost your overall health.
“Depending on the type of mushroom, they can help support cellular health, well-being, and vitality, help the body adapt to stress, support healthy immune system function, and support mental clarity and focus.”
naturopath Kerry Locatelli
What are functional mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms are mushrooms that offer health benefits as well as nutritional value. When we think about culinary mushrooms, we think about their nutritional value; mushrooms are a good source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and more. These essential nutrients contribute to the goodness of mushrooms, but a set of active compounds also apply specifically to “functional mushrooms”. These active compounds have health properties, and they are what make these mushrooms superfoods.
What kind of health benefits do they offer?
The active compounds found in these superfoods have been shown to benefit more than one system within the body. Depending on the type of mushroom, they can help support cellular health, well-being, and vitality, help the body adapt to stress, support healthy immune system function, and support mental clarity and focus.
Go Healthy Go Mushroom Immune Complex,VegeCapsules 60s, $40.
Contains a blend of Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms, along with the herb Astragalus and vitamin D3, which may help the body adapt to stress and can support healthy immune system function. This product is a good option for those running low on energy, recovering from illness or prone to ills and chills.
So, what are the functional mushrooms with good health benefits?
The most common functional mushrooms include Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Maitake. Reishi supports the body in responding to stress. It also has compounds that can support the nervous system to help calm and relax the body and mind and can support sleep.
Go Healthy Go Reishi Mushroom Relax, VegeCapsules 60s, $40.
Reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Asian practices to support relaxation for the body and mind, calm frazzled nerves, and support overall health, well-being, and vitality.
Lion's mane is less well-known; what benefits does this fungi have?
This mushroom has been used in Traditional Chinese practice for its antioxidant properties, which support brain health and mental clarity.
GO Healthy GO Lions Mane Mushroom Focus, VegeCapsules 60s, $40.
Lions Mane supports mental clarity and focus, while Ginkgo and Brahmi support healthy brain function and the body’s ability to cope with stress. It is a good option for Kiwis who live a busy lifestyle, experience brain fog and difficulty focusing, or are under pressure with work or study.
What about dosage? How does it differ from taking a supplement or a pill vs. eating mushrooms?
GO Healthy has brought functional mushrooms to the convenience of a capsule. It’s not a powder to be mixed in a drink or smoothie, and it’s not a tea or coffee substitute. This convenience allows for consistency, which allows for a good result. We believe in food first, so keep eating superfoods if and when you can and use these convenient capsules for their intended purpose.
GO Healthy Chaga Mushroom Antioxidant, VegeCapsules 60s,$40.
This formula contains high-strength Chaga mushrooms, rich in antioxidant properties that may help support cellular health, well-being, vitality, and the body’s natural defences against free radical damage.
Who should avoid taking functional mushroom supplements?
These products are designed for people aged 13 years and up but not for children. The mushroom products are also unsuitable during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or anyone taking blood-thinning medications. Always check with your healthcare professional if you take any medication or have a health condition.
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