Lives of the Reishi and Famous (Mushrooms)

Mushrooms are a major FoodTrient food! Both edible and medicinal mushrooms contain properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant , immune boosting , and disease prevention effects. Two mushrooms backed by significant research that contain potent health benefits include Reishi (immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and good for cardiovascular health) and Turkey Tail (immune-boosting, anti-viral, anti-fungal) mushrooms. Our FoodTrients nutritionist Ginger Hultin did some digging into the benefits of both. You can learn more about the amazing health benefits of Reishi mushrooms here. Find out more about the incredible benefits of Turkey Tail mushrooms here.

Reishi mushrooms aren’t something you will find fresh in your local grocery store. Though all mushrooms have health promoting properties including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and immune-boosting compounds like beta-glucans, some mushrooms are more edible than others. Because of their bitterness, Reishi is often taken in capsule or extract form, but now they are showing up in drinks and other natural food products. I like Rebbl’s Chocolate Reishi  drink (available at Whole Foods and other stores). It’s delicious! These medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in Chinese and folk medicine but are now gaining popularity in the U.S. due to the body of research that continues to develop about the health benefits associated with Reishi.