Functional mushrooms are having a real moment right now, and for good reason. Revered by ancient civilizations for their health benefits, we're finally uncovering the science behind these fungi and how they impact our well-being. Whether you're looking to support your brain function, support your gut or immune system, there's a mushroom for every need. But what exactly makes these mushrooms so special?
The answer lies in their many active compounds, and the most well known are beta-glucans. In this blog post, we'll dive into what beta-glucans are, why they matter, and what else you should know about functional mushroom extracts, powders, and their bioavailability.
1. What are beta-glucans?
Beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide, complex carbohydrates made of glucose molecules that are linked together. These compounds are found in various natural sources, including oats, barley, yeast, seaweed, and, of course, mushrooms. Beta-glucans are one of the most studied compounds in functional mushrooms, and a key marker of a quality extract.
When it comes to functional mushrooms, beta-(1,3)(1,6)-glucans are one of the primary compounds people look for, and a big part of why the fruiting body and a real extract matter.
2. Different types of beta-glucans (and why they matter)
Not all beta-glucans are the same. The specific types of beta-glucans you'll want to make sure your mushroom coffee or supplement contains are called (1,3)(1,6) beta-glucans, which are most commonly found in the fruiting body of mushrooms. The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom that grows above the ground, as opposed to mycelium, which is the root system of a mushroom. More on this below.
Other sources of beta-glucans, like those found in grains, are a different structure from the (1,3)(1,6) beta-glucans in mushrooms. That's why it's worth focusing on the (1,3)(1,6) beta-glucans and mushroom coffees made from the fruiting body when choosing a product.
3. Fruiting body vs. mycelium: know the difference
One of the biggest distinctions in the mushroom industry is between fruiting body and mycelium. The fruiting body is the visible part of the mushroom, the cap and stem that grow above ground. This is where the majority of beneficial compounds like beta-glucans are found. In contrast, the mycelium is the root system of the mushroom, growing underground, often on a substrate like grains, oats, or sawdust.
While mycelium does have some bioactive properties, its chemical composition is different from the fruiting body. Many companies use mycelium biomass and market it as mushroom extract, but this is factually inaccurate. Additionally, mycelium biomass often contains residual starch from the substrate it was grown on, which dilutes the potency of the supplement.
4. How to read mushroom supplement labels: beta-glucans vs. polysaccharides
When shopping for mushroom supplements, look for products that clearly state the beta-glucan content. Unfortunately, many companies list polysaccharides instead. While beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide, not all polysaccharides are (1,3)(1,6) beta-glucans or offer the same benefits. A high polysaccharide content could simply mean the product contains non-beneficial compounds, such as starch or other fillers from mycelium biomass.
Always prioritize beta-glucans over polysaccharides when assessing a mushroom supplement's efficacy.
5. Extracts vs. powders: what's more effective?
There's an ongoing debate about which form of mushroom supplements, extracts or powders, are more effective. Mushroom powders are made by drying and grinding the mushroom, but this doesn't always mean the beneficial compounds are readily absorbable. Certain mushrooms, like Reishi and Chaga, have active compounds that are locked inside their tough cell walls, making them less bioavailable in powdered form.
Extracts, on the other hand, involve boiling the mushrooms in either water, alcohol, or both to break down these cell walls and release the active compounds. This makes extracts more potent and bioavailable than powders.
6. Concentrated extracts: what 8:1 and 1:1 mean
When you see terms like 8:1 or 1:1 on mushroom supplement labels, these refer to the concentration of the extract. For example, an 8:1 extract means that 8 parts of raw mushrooms were used to produce 1 part of the extract, making it highly concentrated. On the other hand, a 1:1 extract means that 1 part of mushrooms equals 1 part of extract, and it often includes the original mushroom material used.
These ratios are important because they give you a sense of how potent a supplement is. While higher concentrations might offer stronger effects, higher extraction doesn't always mean it's a better product. Ratios above 10:1 may bring to question the efficiency of the extraction. You want to ensure the extract contains as much of the beneficial compounds, including beta-glucans, triterpenes, and antioxidants, as possible.
7. The Mujo difference: potent, bioavailable, and dual-extracted mushrooms
At Mujo, we're committed to delivering the most bioavailable mushroom extracts we can. We use a dual-extraction process (water and alcohol) to capture the full spectrum of compounds. While alcohol extraction may slightly lower beta-glucan levels, it lets us access other non-water-soluble compounds, like betulinic acid in Chaga, that a water-only extract would miss.
Our extracts are concentrated and carefully sourced from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms grown in organic, pristine, wild-mimicking environments, ensuring the highest quality and potency.
Conclusion
Functional mushrooms are more than just a health trend. They are a time-tested way to support your body's natural systems. When choosing a mushroom supplement, it's important to prioritize the correct form of beta-glucan content, look for fruiting body extracts, and be aware of the form and concentration of the product. At Mujo, we take pride in offering only the highest-quality, dual-extracted functional mushrooms that are both bioavailable and effective. Whether you're seeking cognitive support, immune support, or overall vitality, mushrooms are an incredible source of these benefits to add to your routine. And we might be biased, but we think our Mujo Ritual is the best way to get your ideal mushroom serving in. Try it out and feel the difference.