Functional Fungi: can medicinal mushrooms improve people’s health?
The surge in mushroom product sales has sparked claims about their health benefits and healing properties. But is there scientific evidence to support these claims?
Sheila Dillon, a veteran broadcaster diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in 2011, shared her experience on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme. After learning that patients in Japan use mushroom supplements to ease the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she began taking them herself. Dillon noted "a good deal of evidence" supporting their benefits. Her oncologist even remarked she was “in danger of becoming a super-responder.”
While Dillon can't confirm a direct link between the supplements and her recovery, her story reflects growing interest in mushrooms as potential health treatments. Functional mushrooms have become a booming market, projected to grow from $8 billion in 2020 to $19.3 billion by 2030. High-street retailers like Holland & Barrett report a 70% increase in mushroom product sales, and demand shows no signs of slowing.
Companies like Bristol Fungarium offer a range of mushroom extracts, claiming benefits like anxiety relief, blood pressure regulation, and even wrinkle prevention. Lion’s mane, one of their bestsellers, is marketed as helpful for mild dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, and ADHD. Although human trials are limited, lab studies show lion’s mane stimulates nerve cell growth.
Reishi mushrooms, praised for over 2,000 years, are claimed to boost immunity, improve gut health, and combat fatigue. Studies suggest reishi may enhance immune responses and even inhibit cancer cell growth. However, many findings come from cell cultures or small-scale human trials, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in cancer treatments in Japan and China for decades. Research into PSK, a turkey tail extract, suggests potential in reducing chemotherapy side effects, though small sample sizes and study designs limit the evidence.
Chaga, cordyceps, and other mushrooms are also promoted for various health benefits, from fighting infections to enhancing exercise performance. Yet most claims lack validation through robust clinical trials. UK law prohibits health claims on food labels without rigorous evidence, and regulatory bodies have warned retailers about unsubstantiated claims.
Despite scepticism, fungi have demonstrated immense medicinal potential. Antibiotics like penicillin and cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin are derived from fungi. Advances in genome sequencing could uncover more compounds with proven health benefits.
Experts like Professor Nicholas Money urge caution, warning against exaggerated claims. However, he acknowledges the untapped potential of fungi: "With advanced scientific methods, we can identify compounds that genuinely alleviate or treat human illnesses."
The "shroom boom" continues, but the need for high-quality research is clear. As interest in fungi grows, so does the hope for unlocking their true health benefits.