Best Mushroom Supplements 2021

It’s 2021, and you’ve probably heard terms like “functional mushrooms” and “mushroom coffee” tossed around in the world of wellness. But what, exactly, is a functional mushroom, and should you add a mushroom supplement to your diet?

This guide to the best mushroom supplements on the market answers all of your questions about the benefits of functional mushrooms and how to choose the best powdered or capsule supplement to meet your health goals, while preserving the health of our planet.

Why Take a Mushroom Supplement?

While the idea of supplementing with powdered or dried mushrooms might sound like a diet or wellness fad, in fact, mushrooms have been used for their potent medicinal qualities for centuries.

There are over 50,000 varieties of mushrooms in the world, including some that you should never consume. We cook and eat only about 20 varieties, such as the familiar portobello and button mushrooms. But there are thousands more with unique health benefits worth taking advantage of.

While many functional mushrooms have long been used in Eastern, especially Chinese, medicine for healing and preventative measures, Western scientists have more recently started studying the effects. Studies suggest that certain mushrooms may have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant effects.

The Most Common Functional Mushrooms

There’s a long list of functional mushrooms, and each carries its own benefits. The most common varieties of mushrooms you’ll find in supplements here in the US include:

• Reishi is frequently used in Chinese medicine to fight infections and is an approved aspect of cancer treatment in both China and Japan. This powerful fungus is tied to health benefits that include immune system strengthening, stress reduction, and improved sleep.
• Cordyceps is used primarily as an energy source. Cordyceps supplements may help improve endurance, vitality, and strength. This fungi is actually a parasite that grows on caterpillars in China, where it is harvested, dried, and turned into a powder for medicinal uses. Studies suggest that cordyceps may improve endurance during high-intensity exercise.
• Lion’s Mane is named for its large, shaggy appearance. This functional mushroom is often cooked as well as taken as a supplement. Animal studies suggest that lion’s mane mushrooms may have strong anti-inflammatory effects that may ease symptoms of depression.
• Chaga is harvested from birch trees and includes a range of essential nutrients, including vitamin D, potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium. All of these vitamins and minerals are essential to maintaining healthy, strong metabolic, skeletal, and muscular systems.

The Best Mushroom Supplements 2021

Don’t let the buzzwords and nutritional claims throw you off. A mushroom supplement, whether you take it as a daily pill or brew a warm cup of mushroom tea, can have impressive health benefits for your mind and body. These brands are leading the way when it comes to producing high-quality, sustainable supplements you can use for years.