Most people are familiar with certain types of mushrooms like the oyster mushroom, the Portobello mushroom, button mushroom, and the Shiitake mushroom. But there are other types of mushrooms that are worth knowing about and trying because of how beneficial they can be for your health. One of them is the Chaga mushroom.
Chaga mushroom or Inonotus obliquus grows in the taiga snow forests around the arctic circle. It often pairs with birch trees and grows along with its heartwood until it grows a conk. But apart from the resilience of the Chaga mushroom, what you need to know is the benefits that you can enjoy from incorporating Chaga mushroom powder in your diet:
Chaga Helps Support Immune Response
It was found that Chaga mushroom extract was effective in supporting immune response. In a test, Chaga mushroom extract stimulated the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and cytokine production. Also, it's been said that it contains chitin, a compound that has a vital role in cell-mediated immunity.
Chaga Has Some Anti-Diabetic Properties
Chaga mushroom benefits include its ability to regulate blood sugar. It's been found that pure Chaga mushroom extract reduces blood sugar levels and suppresses lipids. Pure Chaga mushroom extract can also protect pancreatic beta-cells from free radical-induced destruction.
Because of the blood sugar-regulating effects, Chaga mushroom extract can also be used for people with diabetes.
Chaga Mushroom Helps Fight Oxidative Stress
Free radicals can cause oxidative stress as it damages cells. The Chaga mushroom extract has been found to scavenge free radicals in a cell-free system, and it was also found to have some anti-oxidant properties. Another study also found that Chaga mushroom extract has the effect of inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Chaga Mushroom Can Help Reduce Inflammation
Chaga mushrooms can also be used to inhibit proinflammatory mediators. One study found that Chaga mushroom extract showed some anti-inflammatory effects. Also, Chaga mushroom extract can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines such as NF-κB and p38 in mice.
Chaga Has Antimicrobial Properties
It was found that Chaga mushroom extract has antimicrobial activity, particularly against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes a potentially fatal disease. It was also found that Chaga mushroom extract also had antimicrobial properties against harmful fungi like Aspergillus.
Chaga Mushrooms May Help With Cardiovascular Health
The Chaga mushroom extract has also been found to have anti-atherosclerotic effects that protect cardiovascular health. It's been found that Chaga mushroom extract decreases levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as triglycerides.
Mushrooms May Aid In Weight Loss
Because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, Chaga mushrooms can also help with weight loss. In another study, it has been found that Chaga mushroom extract can control obesity and relieve metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion
Chaga mushroom seems to be one of the most potent medicinal mushrooms. It contains a vast number of not just the essential minerals that we require for good health but also a lot of the essential trace elements that are needed too. Many people have used Chaga mushroom powder for its powerful therapeutic properties, and it is one of the few natural medicines that has been shown to work so effectively in laboratory conditions.
When you’re ready to enjoy its benefits, get the highest quality Chaga mushroom powder from Malama Mushrooms - your trusted supplier of mushroom products from Hawaii. Check out our products today and have them delivered to your doorstep!