Mushrooms are packed with beta glucan, a natural supplement that helps boost the immune system by activating every immune cell in the body. Beta glucan can also help manage and lower cholesterol, especially bad cholesterol (LDL). According to PubMed, clinical trials showed that oat β-glucan has a lowering effect on LDL cholesterol (1). Enjoying the great taste of mushrooms in your food not only makes your taste buds happy, but it also gives you the added cholesterol-lowering effects of the beta-glucans within the fungi. (2)
A potent polysaccharide is found in various natural elements like functional mushrooms, oats, and barley. Not to forget bacteria, yeast, and algae.
And nope, that's not a mouthful of science jargon but just some beta-glucan facts.
Mushrooms with beta glucans are intriguing.
Situated within the cell walls of these fungal beauties lie complex sugar structures - the famed beta glucans.
Glucan works as an immunity booster. (3)
Secondly, they act as biological response modifiers, which help stimulate our body's innate immune response.
But here comes the twist.
They also act smart.
They help down-regulate overactive immune responses, ensuring balance.
From heart health support via cholesterol level regulation to promoting healthy gut microbiota, their functional spectrum is indeed wide. (4)
Beta-glucan levels in mushrooms vary depending on the type of fungus, where it grows, and how old it is. According to this study, the effect of mushroom beta-glucans depends on a few factors, such as:
Beta-glucan molecules from different types of mushrooms are different in how the backbone is structured, the number of chemical links they have, and the number of side chains they have.
Each species of mushroom contains different amounts of total beta glucan. (5)
A study on more commonly known commercially cultivated mushrooms that are easier to get from the grocery store revealed the following common fungi:
Ever heard of beta glucans? These are not ordinary sugars. They're special polysaccharides, packed with health benefits.
Your heart will thank you for a dose of beta glucan. It's been shown to support cholesterol levels. Studies suggest it may help decrease inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar management, and stabilize blood sugar. (6)
Beta-glucans don't stop at heart health, though; they have an impact on blood sugar too. How so?
Their role as soluble fibers comes into play again here. By slowing down digestion, they make sure the absorption rate of sugar into the bloodstream is controlled and steady.
You see what I mean when I say these aren't just any regular sugars.
Moving onto gut health - another area where beta-glucans shine bright. And we all know good health starts from within our guts.
We owe much to these beneficial microbes called microbiota residing in our digestive tract, and guess what feeds them best?
Precisely, none other than the short-chain fatty acids produced by fermentation processes involving beta-glucan (source).
Last but not least, let's talk about the immune system. Beta-glucans are also known to possess potent antioxidant abilities.
They work as biological response modifiers - a fancy term meaning they can stimulate your body's innate defense mechanisms to act up when needed and cool down when things get too heated.
All these health benefits come from a single type of sugar molecule. Isn't that something?
Let's take a deeper look at the top 5 health benefits of natural mushrooms that have been extensively studied for long periods of time. (7)
Mushrooms are nature's gift to us. They're packed with nutrients, including beta glucans.
Why should you care? Well, beta glucans have the power to supercharge your immune system.
Now that's something worth knowing more about.
All mushrooms aren't created equal. Some varieties contain higher amounts of beta glucans than others.
Turkey tail and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), for instance, are renowned for their high content of these polysaccharides.
Beta-glucans work like magic. They fascinatingly interact with our immune cells.
You see, they bind themselves to specific receptors on our macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells - think key-lock mechanism.
Your gut houses trillions of bacteria, which are essential for keeping your body healthy and stable - from aiding heart health to controlling blood sugar levels. And guess what else lends its support?
Beta glucan not only supports gut health but also plays a key role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. And if that's not enough, it helps manage blood sugar too.
Ever wondered why your body reacts differently to various foods? It's all about interaction. The way beta glucans interact with gut bacteria is like a well-choreographed dance routine—everything falls into place perfectly.
So, this interaction actually leads to the creation of short-chain fatty acids. These are a type of molecule that nourishes your intestinal cells.
The world of scientific research is abuzz with the potential health benefits of beta glucan.
We've seen exciting results in both animal models and human clinical trials.
A subset of mice were randomly split into two groups and given either a diet that included mushroom components or grain-based cereals as sources of beta-glucans.
They were fed diets containing either mushroom products or grain cereals as sources of beta-glucans.
Over time, those who received the mushroom diet showed an increase in their immune cell count compared to the control group.
Their innate immune response also became more active, suggesting that these mushrooms could act as biological response modifiers within our bodies.
A statistical analysis further confirms these findings. It turns out that not all sources are created equal when it comes to beta glucans – functional mushrooms appear to have higher levels than other common food items like oats or barley. (11)
Mushrooms such as turkey tail, reishi, and others with high amounts of this soluble fiber can stimulate your body's natural defenses better than most foods can.
Mushrooms aren't just tasty. They're nature's tiny immune warriors.
They are packed with beta glucans - your gut bacteria's best friend.
Don't stick to one type of mushroom. Mix it up.
Your favorite mushrooms, like reishi and turkey tail, come loaded with beta glucan too.
Here are a few mushroom meal ideas for some inspiration. Please be sure to check all ingredients to avoid dangerous food allergies.
Mushrooms have become more than just a tasty food ingredient.
They house an incredible natural supplement, beta glucan.
Not only does glucan give you daily support for your immune system by strengthening every immune cell in your body, but it also helps to boost the immune system and combat high cholesterol.
Taking advantage of the beta glucan within mushrooms delivers a power punch of health benefits, including managing blood cholesterol levels and reducing overall cholesterol.
In particular, bad cholesterol (LDL) is lethal and should always be kept as low as possible.
From supporting heart health to regulating blood sugar levels, these natural wonders are making waves.
Yes, mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans. They're a key source of these beneficial polysaccharides.
Mushrooms, oats, barley and certain types of yeast contain substantial amounts of beta-glucans.
Absolutely. Lion's Mane is one type of mushroom known for its significant content of health-boosting beta glucans.
Beta glucans support immune function, manage cholesterol levels, and help regulate blood sugar. They also aid gut health by fostering beneficial bacterial growth.