Surprising health benefits of mushrooms, from hair growth to exercise performance

They may sometimes be an underappreciated food type, but the health benefits of mushrooms have been known for thousands of years. 

Studies show that even the ancient Egyptians held them in the highest regard, believing them to be plants of immortality and a gift from the God Osiris. In fact, they valued mushrooms so highly that they reserved them only for royalty and commoners were prevented from even touching them.

Fortunately, there are now so many easily accessible and affordable mushroom varieties available that we can all benefit from their nutritional greatness. 

When it comes to nutrition, mushrooms are far from basic. All varieties, even the humble white mushroom, boast an impressive nutritional profile that provides several important nutrients like copper, potassium and B vitamins, which according to a recent study is helpful in improving mood and reducing stress.  

Importantly, mushrooms are one of few food sources that when exposed to sunlight produces health-boosting and bone-building vitamin D - an important vit that features heavily in our list of the best vitamins for women over 50. In fact, studies show that sun-exposed mushrooms are a brilliant vitamin D food source, providing as much as a health supplement.

Health benefits of mushrooms

Mushrooms are also a rich source of antioxidants, like vitamin C, vitamin A and selenium, which counteract the damaging effects of free radicals and combat diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, coronary heart disease and cancer. 

In one study, researchers at the University of Perth in Australia observed 2,000 women for almost a decade, tracking their diets, lifestyles, health outcomes and health histories. The researchers found that those women who consumed mushrooms daily, an average of at least one button mushroom per day, had a 64 per cent drop in their risk of breast cancer. 

Additionally, a 2021 study published in Advances in Nutrition that analyzed over 50 years of data from nearly 20,000 cancer patients found that people who ate just 18 grams of mushrooms daily had a 45% lower risk of cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms.

Mushroom health benefits also come from their fiber content. They contain two types of dietary fiber, beta-glucans and chitin, which have been shown to help manage blood sugar levels and help with weight loss. In one study from the journal Appetite, researchers examined the effect of substituting mushrooms for red meat, compared to a standard meat diet. After just one year, those who had the mushroom diet lost more weight, had lower blood pressure, less inflammation and reported feeling healthier.

What's more, according to a study from Nutrition Reviews, 50 per cent of edible mushrooms are considered functional foods, which means they have the potential to boost health beyond basic nutrition. For example, a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that adults who consumed more than two portions of mushrooms weekly slashed their risk of cognitive decline in half. 

When it comes to specific mushroom health benefits, here are some of the best fungi to feed on.

Health benefits of chaga mushrooms

One of the surprising health benefits of chaga mushroom is its ability to support healthy hair growth. Research shows that chagas are routinely used as shampoo in Mongolia to maintain healthy hair, and in a 2019 study scientists concluded that chagas did indeed have the potential to naturally boost hair growth. 

From their tests, the researchers found that certain compounds in chaga mushrooms stimulated hair follicle cells and were more effective than minoxidil, a common hair-growth medication for male-pattern baldness.

Health benefits of reishi mushrooms

According to research, reishi has been used in China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for thousands of years, often referred to as the mushroom of immortality. 

Whilst studies have shown the health benefits of reishi to include reducing fatigue, anxiety and depression, it has also been studied for its cancer-fighting properties. In one study of over 4,000 breast cancer survivors, researchers discovered that 59 percent consumed reishi mushroom. 

Another study found that a year of reishi mushroom treatment decreased the number and size of tumors in the large intestine for colorectal cancer sufferers. 

Scientists also conducted a three-month study where they treated 34 patients with advanced stages of cancer with a reishi-sourced polysaccharide. The patients who were given the treatment had a significant boost in the efficiency of their immune system.

Health benefits of lion's mane mushrooms

Lion’s mane mushrooms are often referred to as a brain tonic, as studies show they have a rare ability to stimulate the growth and signaling of brain cells. Several studies have shown the health benefits of lion’s mane include boosting memory, mood and cognition. 

In one study, older adults who were given powdered lion’s mane mushroom daily for three months saw improvements in short term memory loss and cognitive function. 

Another study involving menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane significantly reduced their anxiety and depression after four weeks of consumption. 

Health benefits of cordyceps mushrooms

According to recent research, the health benefits of cordyceps are extensive. 

One study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology showed it to be beneficial for fighting fatigue, whilst another study in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed its ability to boost immune health. 

But thanks to its studied ability to increase the production of ATP - the compound that gives cells their energy – it has become a popular mushroom among athletes.

In one study involving healthy younger adults, three weeks of supplementation with a cordyceps-containing mushroom blend improved VO2 max, reduced exhaustion and improved tolerance to high intensity exercise. 

Another study involving twenty healthy older adults found that supplementation with a cordyceps extract known as Cs-4 improved exercise performance and overall wellness. 

Health benefits of shittake mushrooms

Among the health benefits of shiitake are its antiviral and immune-supporting capabilities. Studies show that many of the compounds in shiitake have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects that can help the body fend off invading pathogens that make you sick. 

Shiitake mushrooms also contain a polysaccharide called lentinan, which the Carbohydrate Research journal has described as being an immune system activator. 

In one study from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, healthy young adults were given either five or ten grams of dried shiitake daily for one month. Consumption of the mushrooms was found to significantly improve immunity and reduce inflammation, with results being most prominent in those who took ten grams daily. 

Health benefits of mushrooms: final thoughts

So, the bottom line is, eating mushrooms is great. But a word to the wise: you generally want to avoid eating them raw. 

According to research from Integrative Medicine - A Clinician’s Journal, when mushrooms are cooked, the immune system is better able to defend against pathogens and other harmful components. The cooking also allows some of the insoluble fibers in the mushrooms to be broken down, allowing you to get more nutrients out of them. 

Of course, not all cooking methods are equal when it comes to healthy eating. Check out our guides to the best grills and best steamers for healthy ways to cook vegetables, fish and more. Or, if you just love a fried mushroom, check out our pick of the best healthy air fryers.