We Wouldn't Be Alive Without Mushrooms
They’re not all trying to turn us into zombies.
Enter the wonderful world of mushrooms. These fleshy, fruiting bodies of fungus are capable of much more than meets the eye. They’re full of vitamins and nutrients. They sequester carbon emissions. They keep forests thriving by recycling dead matter back into soil. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear domed caps.
Because the truth is: they’re not all trying to turn us into killer zombies. There are a lot of health benefits of mushrooms, for people and the planet.
But with all the varieties of mushrooms out there, from medicinal to poisonous, how do we separate friendly fungi from foe?
Let’s start from the beginning (of time).
We Wouldn’t Be Alive Without Mushrooms
Sounds dramatic. But a recent study by the University of Leeds proved that fungi were essential in creating a breathable atmosphere on Earth.
Mushrooms were one of the first complex life forms to exist on Earth. Early forms of fungi used rocks as a source of food. In a smart partnership, they extracted phosphorus from rocks and transferred it to plants to enable photosynthesis to occur. In return, the fungi would receive carbon produced by the plants as they released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This give-and-take process enabled both organisms to survive in the early days of life on Earth.
Since then, mushrooms have grown from strength to strength. Now, they help to recycle dead plant and animal matter back into soil, which keeps forests thriving. They can sequester carbon emissions and help other plants grow by mycorrhizal associations (swapping resources). Fungi give plants water, plants give fungi carbohydrates. In short: they’re good for the ecosystem.
The Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Edible mushrooms are known as a good source of vitamin D. When exposed to sunlight, they can produce a significant amount of the sunshine vitamin and store it, just like humans (we produce vitamin D naturally on our skin when exposed to UV light). They’re full of vitamins B and C, fibre, protein, calcium and other minerals. Medicinal mushrooms have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for everything from high stress to low energy.
You might’ve also heard these ‘shroomy buzzwords: nootropics and adaptogens. Nootropic mushrooms are fungi that have shown positive evidence of improving brain health and cognitive function. Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and improve overall wellbeing. We added nootropic mushroom lion’s mane to NOOTRO-FOCUS for its brain-boosting benefits, to help find your focus, fast. Reishi mushroom in GROWTH PHASE helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
GROWTH PHASE
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Choose Your ‘Shroom
Scroll through some of our favourite fungi, boasting big health-boosting benefits that span the whole human body.
Lion’s Mane
Supports cognitive function, memory and brain health. It helps to stimulate the growth of brain cells and allows nerve cells to regenerate.
Cordyceps
Boosts energy, endurance and stamina. Studies have shown that cordyceps can increase the production of ATP, the compound that gives cells energy.
Chaga
Supports a healthy digestive system. Studied in over 200 pre-clinical trials, its proven benefits include supporting digestion and calming inflammation.
Maitake
Supports immunity and boosts natural killer cells. It bolsters the immune system by stimulating lymphocytes, natural killer cells, monocytes, and T-helper cells.
Reishi
Reduces stress and feelings of anxiety. High in polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate), associated with healthy immune function.
Shiitake
Improves heart health and reduces cholesterol levels. Known to increase immunoglobulin (IGA), a key immune cell associated with our first line of immune defence.
Fancy trying all 6? You can find them all in MULTI MUSHROOM COMPLEX.
Now you know all the health benefits of mushrooms, learn more about how adaptogens can support the body in a myriad of ways.