Spotlight On: Shiitake Mushroom

Since there’s so much to say about each of these superfood superstars, we’ve decided to shine a spotlight on a few of them to help you get to know them better. We’ve already explored Lion’s Mane and Reishi, but now it’s time to introduce another fascinating mushroom. Unlike the previous two, you’ve likely encountered this one in supermarkets or at restaurants. Shiitake mushrooms are culinary staples in East Asia, playing a starring role in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Their popularity has since gone global, earning them recognition as a fantastic meat substitute for vegetarians.

But, we’re not just here to discuss the shiitake’s umami tang. It also has a whole host of medicinal qualities that bump it to a ‘superfood’ that we’ve just gotta share with you! So without further ado, let’s dive into the scintillating story of this smashing shroom! This is Spotlight on: Shiitake Mushroom …

The 2nd Most Popular Mushroom

Although the shiitake now has the distinction of being the second most popular mushroom in the world (after its cutesy cousin the button mushroom), it has only relatively recently come to prominence in the West. In its native Japan and China it has been revered as a medicinal tool for millenia. Its usage being encouraged for everything from headaches, to stomach pains and improving digestive function.

The Shiitake Mushroom

The shiitake mushroom features a curved cap that ranges in color from tan to dark brown, with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm. In the wild, they typically grow on decaying hardwood trees. While over 80% of shiitakes are cultivated in Japan, they are also grown in China, the US, Canada, and Singapore. These mushrooms can be eaten fresh, dried, or as supplements. Dried shiitakes are particularly popular because they have a longer shelf life, and when soaked in water, they regain their softness with an enhanced flavor and texture. Interestingly, shiitakes contain many of the same amino acids found in meat, reinforcing their 'meaty' reputation. Additionally, they offer a wealth of health benefits, including fiber, B vitamins, copper, lipids, polysaccharides, sterols, and terpenoids — all of which are fantastic for your body!

And that’s not all — here are 5 ways that shiitake are thought to supercharge your health:

They Boost Your Immune System

Shiitake is touted as being a super-booster of the immune system. This is thought to be due to the polysaccharides that it contains. There have been numerous studies into the effects of shiitake on the immune system, though the majority of them have been on lab animals. These results look extremely promising however, with one recent study on mice finding that a supplement derived from shiitake could reduce the decline of the immune system caused by ageing.
 

Additionally, a study from 2011, one of the few that was actually on humans, also had positive findings. Fifty-two healthy participants consumed either 5g or 10g of shiitake mushrooms everyday for four weeks. After the four weeks the participants were found to have increased immune stimulation — characterised by a higher level of T cell and natural killer cell activity. 

They Are Heart Heroes

Shiitake mushrooms are also known as heart-heroes! This is because they contain three cholesterol lowering compounds. These are:
 

Beta glucans: A type of fiber that can lower cholesterol
 

Eritadenine: A compound which reduces the activity of an enzyme that produces cholesterol.
 

Sterols: These inhibit cholesterol absorption in your gut.
 

There have been various studies on lab rats that have found that shiitake extract can have a positive effect on blood pressure, liver fat and cholesterol. On lab rats fed a high-fat diet, there were less of the negative effects associated with this sort of diet when the rats were also administered shiitake extract.

Anti-Cancer Compounds

The same polysaccharides that boost your immune system are also thought to have anti-cancer properties. For example, when your immune system is activated by the polysaccharide called lentinan it is given more power to fight tumours.  Lentinan has also been found to fight the growth and spread of leukemia cells. 

Bigging Up Bone Strength

Mushrooms are the only non-animal source of vitamin D (aside from sunlight, of course!). The more UV exposure mushrooms receive during growth, the higher their vitamin D content — makes sense, right? Vitamin D is crucial for strong bones, and when paired with calcium, shiitakes can help support and maintain bone health.

Awesome Antibacterial Potential 

Recent studies have been looking into the antibacterial and antimicrobial potential of shiitake mushrooms. Mushrooms, as they grow on decaying materials, need to have these qualities to survive. It seems that this can be isolated to benefit humans. In a study dating from 2009, shiitake mushroom extract was found to have antimicrobial qualities against 85% of the organisms it was tested on. This kind of research is essential to find new antimicrobial sources, as more and more pathogens become resistant to antibiotics. 

There you have it! The shiitake mushroom is truly a unicorn in the food world — delicious and packed with benefits. What's your favorite way to enjoy this mushroom? Share with us in the comments below!

Power 5 (Foodsporen) 30ml

The Power 5 liquid extract is a blend of the 5 most powerful mushrooms from the mushroom kingdom specially formulated by us for you.
 

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