What is Shiitake mushroom?
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is one of the edible mushrooms native to East Asia, where it has been used as food and medicine for more than a thousand years. Shiitake mushrooms contain a wide variety of beneficial chemical compounds, including polysaccharides, minerals and amino acids.
Organic Shiitake mushroom powder may help strengthen the immune system, support optimal heart health and cholesterol levels, and aid healthy weight management. 100% natural, no additives or preservatives. Our certified organic shiitake mushroom powder is available in different concentrations of b-glucans.
Compared to raw shiitake mushroom (as available in some grocery stores) the dried form is a more concentrated source of the nutrients. As a powder it is super-easy to take daily. Enjoy all these benefits with hihg beta-glucans shiitake powder.
Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushroom
1. Improved Digestion
Studies indicate that the fibre in shiitake mushroom may support healthy digestion and improved gut bacteria. β-glucan assists the production of short chain fatty acids such as butyrate which is one of the products of, and contributor to, healthy gut function. β-glucan is believed to be a key compound in modulating the gut microbiome.
Butyrate is an important product of gut bacteria, proven to inhibit inflammation in the gut. This is a critical contributor to a healthy digestive system. As we know, gut health is also associated with many conditions and organs outside of the digestive system, such as immune function and mental wellness.
2. Supports the Immune System
High levels of β-glucans has been clinically researched to support healthy immune function. So for supporting your immune system, we recommend 50% β-glucans mushroom powders.
Taking shiitake mushrooms regularly is a proven support for rapid recovery during ills and chills season [ref]. The study also suggested β-glucan from Shiitake mushroom helped the quality of sleeping and easy breathing – very important while recovering from colds & flu.
In another study, 52 men & women took 5-10g dried Shiitake mushroom daily. The result: improved immunity, as seen by improved secretory IgA (sIgA) in the gut (important for gut immune function), reduced C-reactive protein (CRP – a marker of acute inflammation), and increased activation of immune-important cytokines.
Beta-glucan also supports the healthy immune response to seasonal allergens.
3. Supports Optimal Body Weight
Controlling blood sugar levels is important for overall health and weight management. Finding from this study suggests beta-glucan supports healthy levels of important gut hormones such as ghrelin. This aids glycaemic control and reduces the risk of insulin resistance.
4. Aids in Maintaining Normal Cholesterol Levels
A study published in 2019 found that adding shiitake to the diet of rats with high cholesterol, resulted in lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol concentrations with higher HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
This study in humans found that daily shiitake mushrooms (taken in the form of snack bars) resulted in lower triglyceride levels (the “ugly” cholesterol), and reduced one of the main problems of high cholesterol – peroxidation of the fats.
5. Provides Antioxidant Activity
Oxidative stress can cause many undesirable health issues. In a human study, Shiitake increased the production of reduced glutathione – our primary endogenous antioxidant [ref]
Certain foods, such as Shiitake mushroom, exert antioxidant properties – great for general wellbeing and optimal health.
6. May Support Mental Health
As a food, shiitake is very nutritious. It provides nearly all the amino acids that support healthy brain function, cellular activity, and structure.
This systematic review also found positive changes of mental state and overall wellbeing, as well as improvements to physical health and energy level from regular intake of mushrooms.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders examined data from diet and mental health of almost 25,000 adults. The researchers (from Penn State College of Medicine) concluded that mushroom consumption is associated with lower risk of depression, even after considering other major risk factors, sociodemographics, self-reported diseases, medications and other dietary factors. They considered that the high amounts of an amino acid called ergothioneine present in a variety of mushroom types could lower oxidative stress and tissue damage in the brain, which may reduce symptoms of depression.
NUTRIENT PROFILE (source) | |
from ~15g dried Shiitake Mushroom | |
Energy | 44 kCal |
Carbohydrates | 11.3 g |
Fibre | 1.7 g |
Fat (total) | 0.15 g |
Cholesterol | 0 |
Protein | 1.44 g |
Vitamin B1 | 45 mcg |
Vitamin B2 | 191 mcg |
Vitamin B3 | 2.12 mg |
Vitamin B5 | 3.28 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 145 mcg |
Folate (vitamin B9) | 24.4 mcg |
Vitamin D | 23.1 IU |
Choline | 30.3 mg |
Magnesium | 19.8 mg |
Manganese | 177 mcg |
Potassium | 230 mg |
Selenium | 6.9 mcg |
Zinc | 1.15 mg |
Suggested Dose
Take 5g (~1 level tsp)1-2x daily. Mix with food or liquid.
Storage
Best to keep in dry, cool place in an airtight container, Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168436/nutrients
- Vlassopoulou, M., Yannakoulia, M., Pletsa, V., Zervakis, G.I., & Kyriacou, A. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2021/fo/d1fo00122a
- Talbott, S. M., Talbott, J. A., Talbott, T. L., & Dingler, E. (2013). β-Glucan supplementation, allergy symptoms, and quality of life in self-described ragweed allergy sufferers. Food science & nutrition, 1(1), 90–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.11
- Canani, R. B., Costanzo, M. D., Leone, L., Pedata, M., Meli, R., & Calignano, A. (2011). Potential beneficial effects of butyrate in intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. World journal of gastroenterology, 17(12), 1519–1528. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v17.i12.1519
- Patel, P. C., & Wolfe, M. T. (2021). Under Pressure: The Effect of Antioxidants on Health Consequences Related to Oxidative Stress. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(1), 211–241. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258720964184
- Yehia, R.S. (2022). Evaluation of the biological activities of β-glucan isolated from Lentinula edodes. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13727
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.