What's the Best Mushroom for Gut Health?

Gut health is crucial for both mental and physical well-being, impacting everything from energy levels to immune function. So, what’s the best mushroom for gut health? 

Turkey Tail is often considered the best due to its rich prebiotic content, but lots of functional mushrooms have gut-boosting properties. 

While a healthy diet is key, adding mushrooms for gut health can further support a balanced gut microbiome. We'll cover the best mushrooms for digestion, the best mushroom supplements for gut health, and how to incorporate them into your routine for optimal results. Let's dive in:

When we talk about gut health, you might think of digestion, appetite, and bowel movements. While these are part of the process, gut health is more complex. 

The gut microbiome is a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms in the large intestine that plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. This microbiome consists of bacteria, yeast, viruses, and other microorganisms, with the "good" bacteria, or probiotics, helping regulate the "bad" bacteria to maintain balance.

A healthy gut relies on this balance. Both good and bad bacteria are necessary, but problems arise when bad bacteria, like E. Coli, overgrow and cause infections. Genetics, poor diet, sleep issues, and gastrointestinal conditions can disrupt this balance, leading to digestive issues.

Fortunately, you can support gut health naturally, and the best mushrooms for gut health can play a big role. These fiber-packed fungi, like Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Shiitake, promote a balanced microbiome. Adding the best mushroom supplement for digestion or the best mushroom powder for gut health to your diet can help restore gut health and overall wellness.

For thousands of years, medicinal mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine due to their powerful healing properties. These mushrooms contain prebiotics, bioactive polysaccharides, and immune-supporting elements that are essential for maintaining proper gut health. Since the majority of the immune system is located in the gastrointestinal system, incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your diet can have a significant impact on supporting this area of the body.

Apart from their immune-supporting properties, mushrooms are a low-calorie, high-protein ingredient that can be easily added to any meal. They are also an excellent source of fiber, which is crucial for digestive health. Adequate fiber intake can improve gut function, regulate blood sugar levels, increase satiety, and keep cholesterol levels in check.

So, which mushrooms contain the most colorful array of microbiome-bostering components? In reality, most edible and medicinal mushrooms contain a reasonable amount of fiber and vitamins and are reasonably beneficial for your gut. 

Still, we know more about some mushrooms than others, and some have specifically been linked to improved gut health and immune system regulation via gut pathways. Let’s take a look at the best mushrooms for gut health and the research that props them up:

Shiitake mushrooms are a popular choice for their rich, savory flavor and numerous health benefits. Among potential cancer fighting and cardiovascular benefits, shiitake mushrooms also have multiple direct links to improved gut health. 

For instance, a 2015 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition followed 52 healthy males and females between the ages of 21–41 years through a four week trial to determine if daily consumption of shiitake would improve immune function. The study concluded that consuming shiitake regularly improved gut immunity and cell effector function, or the ability of cells to respond to immune stimuli. There was also a notable reduction of inflammation due to shiitake mushroom consumption.

Further studies indicate that the fiber found in shiitake may reduce inflammation in a way that supports digestive and gut health. 

Reishi mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine for their medicinal properties. Like most medicinal mushrooms, they contain a plethora of polysaccharides, which are complex sugars that can help improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. 

By positively influencing the microbiome, Reishi mushroom may be able to promote wellbeing in a number of ways. According to one study, the mushroom may even prevent and reverse symptoms of obesity in mice, including weight gain and insulin resistance.

Reishi mushrooms also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the gut and improve digestion. Additionally, they contain antioxidants, which can help protect the gut from oxidative stress.

Lion's mane mushrooms contain the compounds hericenones and erinacines, which have been shown to stimulate nerve growth and improve cognitive function. Moreover, Lion’s Mane contains a healthy dose of prebiotic fiber, which can help improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the gut and improve digestion.

A 2019 study found that lion’s mane may help prevent the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that can have negative effects on gut lining. Researchers gave lion’s mane to a group of H. pylori infected mice and found that those receiving lion’s mane had overall lower levels of H. pylori than the control group. 

A second study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology also revealed that lion’s mane inhibited the growth of H. pylori in test tube samples. 

Lion's mane is a delicacy in many parts of the world and can be incorporated into many different recipes for a gut boost. 

Chaga has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for their medicinal properties. Chaga mushrooms contain a variety of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and melanin, which can help protect the gut from oxidative stress. 

Like other edible mushrooms, they are packed with prebiotic fiber that can improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. One study on mice recently found that chaga may even fight harmful bacteria that causes inflammation, especially gastrointestinal inflammation.

Maitake mushroom is also chock full of the prebiotics and anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit gut health, but it may have even more extensive benefits. According to one study, maitake mushrooms have powerful anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce TNFa, a primary inflammatory signal implicated in IBD, colon ulceration, and gut-related free radical damage. 

Other research concludes that maitake may help to prevent fat accumulation and increase feelings of fullness. 

Mushrooms are a powerful addition to a healthy diet and can offer significant benefits for gut health. 

The best mushrooms for gut health include Shiitake, Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga, and Maitake. These varieties contain compounds that support the immune system, promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, reduce inflammation, and protect against oxidative stress. Incorporating these best mushrooms for digestion into your diet can enhance overall well-being.

However, sourcing fresh mushrooms and their short shelf life can be challenging. A convenient alternative is using mushroom supplements for gut health. Opt for fruiting body extracts, which contain higher levels of beta-glucans, the beneficial compounds responsible for mushrooms’ health benefits.

Lucid beverages offer a comprehensive solution. This blend of medicinal mushroom extracts and nootropics supports gut health while enhancing your ability to focus, energy levels, overall immunity, and more.

To learn more about Lucid ingredients, read “Why We Chose Our Ingredients: What’s in a Lucid Stack?” Or, check out one of our three flavor varieties: