It’s always an incentive when delectable ingredients are also useful foods. They add more value to your meal than just a wide range of flavors. Fungi adds to a balanced and nutritious diet. But it’s worth looking into the more obscure varieties to spice up your meals. They can infuse your cookery with some distinct wellness advantages. But have you heard about lion’s mane mushrooms?
These huge white mushrooms are also known as Hericium Erinaceus or Lion’s Mane Mushrooms; they have a “shaggy, mane-like appearance.” You probably assume that the name of these mushrooms comes from their appearance alone. They are frequently used in salads, sautéed as a tasty side dish, or steeped in tea. Lion’s mane, like many other mushrooms, can give considerable wellness advantages.
The Health Advantages of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms.
The advantages of Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been the subject of a fair amount of research, and although many of the studies have used animal or cell trials rather than human subjects, the effects of this component seem to be significant. Lion’s mane has a long history in Oriental and Chinese medicine because of its many nutritional advantages.
Maintain Intestinal Health.
You can maintain gut health in several ways by selecting meals and practices that suit your needs. Lion’s mane mushrooms can be added to the list. They are classified as a ‘functional food’ because of its beta-glucan polysaccharide component, which can operate as a ‘prebiotic,’ supporting the gastrointestinal tract bacteria.
More precisely, studies have revealed that lion’s mane mushrooms may inhibit the growth of the bacteria H. pylori, which is thought to cause stomach ulcers (1). However, further research is required as this has only been observed in a test tube at this time, not in a real stomach.
Stimulate the Brain Cells.
Supporting brain health through nutrition is not a new concept, and lion’s mane mushrooms may be able to help you maintain optimal mental performance. Taking supplements with lion’s mane mushroom extract or powder has been shown in animal, test tube, and human studies to benefit brain wellness.
It stimulates the growth of brain cells and nerve cells, protecting those cells from damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, improving mental functioning, and promoting nervous system recovery (2).
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain chemicals called hericenones and erinacines, which cause this stimulation (3). It is worth noting, however, that most of these studies were conducted on animals, indicating that further research on people is required before reaching a solid conclusion.
Assists in Managing Diabetes Symptoms.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s capacity to regulate blood sugar levels is disrupted. As a result, levels remain persistently increased. Continuous high blood sugar levels lead to problems such as renal disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and eyesight loss.
Lion’s mane mushroom may help with diabetes management by increasing blood sugar control and minimizing some of the associated negative effects.
Several animal studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane can considerably lower blood sugar levels in both normal and diabetic mice, even at daily doses as low as 2.7 milligrams (mg) per pound (6 mg per kg) of body weight (4,5).
Lion’s mane decreases blood sugar levels by inhibiting the function of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates in the small intestine (6). When this enzyme is inhibited, the body cannot digest and absorb carbohydrates as well, resulting in decreased blood sugar levels.
In addition to reducing blood sugar, lion’s mane extract may alleviate diabetic nerve discomfort in the hands and feet.
In rats with diabetic nerve injury, 6 weeks of daily lion’s mushroom extract greatly reduced pain, decreased blood sugar levels, and even boosted antioxidant levels (7). The Lion’s mane mushroom has potential as a therapeutic diabetes supplement, but further research is needed to discover how it may be utilized in humans.
Anti-Inflammatory Qualities.
Aside from the brain-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms, research suggests that these fungi may also have anti-inflammatory characteristics that might help your overall body (8). Researchers believe that lion’s mane mushrooms’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics may contribute to their wellness benefits, but further research is needed to fully understand these pathways.
This mushroom’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can aid in preventing inflammation-related diseases, including health concerns associated with obesity, by decreasing inflammation in the adipose tissue (8).
Support Mental Well-being.
In addition to boosting brain health, various research has been undertaken to investigate the potential advantages of this mushroom for anxiety and depression levels. This could be attributed to enhanced hippocampal function, but more research in people is needed.
Furthermore, research has shown that lion’s mane extract can alleviate anxiety and sadness in mice. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties (9).
Dosage & Usage Instructions.
When it comes to incorporating this vibrant mushroom into your everyday diet, the possibilities are unlimited. You may sauté them in olive oil with shallots and garlic. They also crisp up well and make an excellent soup or salad topping. It can also be found in certain functional foods, such as mushroom coffee.
Although there is no precise recommended dosage for lion’s mane mushrooms, they can be ingested in large numbers, particularly in mushroom extracts. When mushroom extracts are included in supplements, they are frequently in large quantities. These are far beyond what would be obtained by swallowing the entire mushroom.
The most popular wellness supplement form is powder. You can mix it into coffee, tea, a smoothie, or soup. Just make sure you heat them completely. To reap the nutritional benefits, you must heat them.
To Wrap Things Up
Of course, more research should be done before considering lion’s mane mushrooms as the ultimate cure to any health condition; but there is enough promising evidence that this functional food can improve your nutritional well-being.
Cooking with lion’s mane mushrooms is an excellent method to diversify your diet. They add a variety of nutrients to your dishes that you might not otherwise obtain. Sauté them in your next stir fry, toss them into a pasta dish, or add them to any soup for a rich flavor. This added wellness assurance that you’re fueling your body properly.
Sources |
- In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of medicinal mushroom extracts, with special emphasis on the Lion’s Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (higher Basidiomycetes) – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Structures, biological activities, and industrial applications of the polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom: A review – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Antihyperglycaemic and organic protective effects on pancreas, liver and kidney by polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus SG-02 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Characterization of α-glucosidase inhibitory constituents of the fruiting body of lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Protective Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Hericium erinaceus on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Rats – PMC (nih.gov)
- The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lion’s Mane Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) in a Coculture System of 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and RAW264 Macrophages – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder – PMC (nih.gov)
Sarah says
I had no idea there were so many benefits! That is really neat.
Thanks for this helpful info!
Jasmine Feliciano says
You’re most welcome!
Samantha says
I’ve never heard or seen this before this was interesting to see, great post, appreciate the reference links too.
Jasmine Feliciano says
Thank you so much! Glad it was insightful! 💜