The mushroom boom: Fungi offers versatility and health benefits

By Danielle Masterson

- Last updated on GMT

Getty Images
Getty Images

Related tags mushrooms Chinese herbology adaptogen

The idea of consuming fungi may not sound appetizing to everyone, but Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practitioners have been using adaptogenic mushrooms for thousands of years.

However, it wasn’t until recently that mushrooms have gone mainstream. More than 10,000 known varieties exist, and mycologists suspect that this is only a fraction of the number of mushrooms out there. 

Ingredient manufacturer Wixon says in order to be identified as an adaptogenic substance, a mushroom must help the body adapt to stress and provide a normalizing effect on it. Most mushrooms identified as adaptogens are associated with immunity, cognitive health and stress relief. The company listed the following as the most common adaptogenic mushrooms and their promoted health benefits.

  • Reishi - provides immunity, relieves stress and anxiety
  • Lion’s Mane - aids in memory and cognition
  • Chaga - antioxidant and supplies immunity
  • Shiitake - promotes immunity
  • Maitake - supplies immunity and healthy blood sugar level
  • Cordyceps - provides energy and stamina, improves endurance and lung function
  • Turkey Tail - supports immunity

Adaptogens got their name for being versatile and easy to adapt. In his book Healing Mushrooms​, Tero Isokauppila defines the term in his book:

“To qualify as an adaptogen, a mushroom must help the body in a non-specific way. That last part is important because rather than serving a single, targeted purpose, adaptogenic mushrooms will adapt their healing properties to whatever your body specifically needs at a given time in order to restore you to peak functionality. Think of adaptogens this way: You know that good friend who comes over to your house to vent after she’s had a bad day, but sees that you’re over the moon about some terrific news and promptly adjusts her demeanor to celebrate your happiness with you? That’s what an adaptogen does in the human body — it senses what the body needs and alters its behavior in whatever way necessary to foster peak health,” ​he wrote.

Mushroom market 

The plant-based market is only picking up steam. Brands are greening up their portfolios to attract mainstream consumers who want to incorporate more plant-based options into their diets. For many, it’s not about adhering to a particular diet such as veganism, it’s about achieving a healthy and sustainable balance between meat and vegetables. According to Innova Market Insights, half of US consumers report health as the reason for buying plant-based alternatives to bread, meat or dairy.

As part of their product development project, Wixon had their taste experts dig into adaptogenic mushrooms. Staying on trend, Wixon says they’re focusing fungi because consumers want more plant-based products to supplement their diets. 

“What we’re finding,”​ says Wixon Marketing Manager, Becca Henrickson, “is that as more consumers seek out plant-based alternatives to meat products and healthier food options, mushrooms can provide the desired texture and health halo they want. Mushrooms are widely known for their earthy and umami-rich flavor, but their popularity is fast-growing for their associated health benefits and meat-like texture, as well.” 

There are a number of mushroom dietary supplements on the market. Researchers have found combinations of mushrooms that have a wide range of beneficial health effects, from giving the immune system a boost to improving cognitive function. 

In 2017, the US mushroom market produced $5 billion in revenue, according to The Guardian​ and it is expected that number will hit $7.4 billion by 2020. Additionally, Market Research Future​ is predicting that the mushroom extract market will experience a 6.3% CAGR until 2023.

"A myriad of Applications"

“Looking at these adaptogenic mushrooms from a culinary perspective allowed us to really discover their possibilities,”​ explains Wixon Corporate Chef Ryan Kukuruzovic. “We were able to use the expected earthy, umami-rich flavors in a range of savory applications from meatballs to pizza crusts and even savory oatmeal. But what’s really fascinating is accentuating some of the naturally sweet notes of the mushrooms in ice cream, beverages and cookies. With our flavor masking expertise and technology, we’re able to maximize desirable flavors and minimize or eliminate unwanted ones to create fantastic tasting products with better-for-you benefits in myriad applications with these mushrooms.”

So are mushroom dietary supplements in store for Wixom? We'll have to stay tuned, according to their publicist Kitty Kevin. She told NutraIngredients-USA that while Wixon is using adaptogenics in a protein drink and other applications, they can’t discuss products in development. 

Related events

View more

Role of nutrition in addressing the seven key pathways of aging.

Webinar

Thanks to modern medicine, the overall human population is living longer. However, it can be debatable if we’re living healthier. With the rise of various health conditions such as obesity, CVD, and cognitive decline, humans are living longer, but not better. The goal of healthy aging is to increase the number of healthful years lived, while delaying the natural physiological process of decline that comes with age. Join Dr. Paul Clayton, a leading expert in pharmaco-nutrition, to learn about the seven key factors of aging and how nutrition can possibly slow down those factors, ultimately reversing them.

Discover Resveratrol for Brain Health and Beyond

Webinar

As we age, maintaining healthy circulation, especially in the brain, is important. Supplementation with vasoactive nutrients (i.e. bioactive ingredients that boost blood flow) is a key strategy for healthy aging. One of the most potent vasoactive nutrients is resveratrol, a polyphenol produced by some plants. Ingredient innovator Evolva expands clinical research and provides manufacturers with innovative solutions with its Veri-te™ resveratrol. Cutting edge research will be presented. Participants will learn about new science that points to supplementation with Veri-te™ resveratrol as a key strategy for the design of effective supplements that support healthy aging. Results from Northumbria University and The University of Newcastle highlighting improved cognitive performance will be reviewed.

Related news

Related products

show more

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

Content provided by BIONAP BIOACTIVE NATURAL PRODUCTS | 07-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

MOROSIL™ has won as Ingredient of the Year in the category Weight Management at 2023 Nutraingredient USA. MOROSIL ™ is a standardized extract derived from...

Go Beyond the Ordinary: Cognitive Health-BacoMind

Go Beyond the Ordinary: Cognitive Health-BacoMind

Content provided by Natural Remedies Private Limited | 27-Feb-2024 | White Paper

Experience the potency of BacoMind®, the #1 branded bacopa with 9 key bioactives for unparalleled cognitive support.

Nootropics Report 2.0: Brain Health Insights

Nootropics Report 2.0: Brain Health Insights

Content provided by dsm-firmenich | 22-Feb-2024 | Insight Guide

The brain health market is constantly growing and evolving, with more consumers looking for innovative ways to support total mind and body wellness.

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Content provided by Aker BioMarine | 14-Feb-2024 | White Paper

The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars