Functional Mushrooms and the Microbiome: The Overlooked Gut-Brain Connection

If you’ve heard about adaptogenic mushrooms, you probably know about their stress-relieving and energy-supporting properties. But there’s another fascinating (and often overlooked) benefit: their impact on the body’s microbiome.

The science on mushrooms prebiotics is for gut health is exciting and still emerging. Researchers are beginning to understand how these fungi-powered compounds can nourish the gut and, in turn, influence everything from mood to immune function in positive ways.

What Are Mushroom Prebiotics?

Functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, turkey tail, and reishi are often referred to as superfoods, but what sets them apart is their rich content of natural prebiotics. But wait, you might be asking what are prebiotics? In simple terms, they’re non-digestible fibers that act as a sort of “food” for the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Adaptogenic fungi, like the ones found in Madre Mushroom’s instant lattes, are packed with probiotics like chitin, beta-glucans, and all sorts of polysaccharides. When added to a daily diet, these powerful compounds don’t get broken down in the stomach. Instead, they travel to the gut, where they help regulate its health by nourishing helpful bacteria and supporting microbial balance. They also help keep our gut in balance by preventing the growth of harmful pathogens that can cause bloating and make us feel unwell.

Why Caring for Your Gut Supports Your Mind, Too

Did you know your gut does much more than just handle digestion? It’s actually a communication hub that influences everything from mood and energy to immune function—and what you eat plays a big role in how well it works!

The “gut-brain axis” is basically the communication line between your gut and your brain. When your gut bacteria are balanced and happy, they send signals that can influence things like mood, focus, energy, and even how your body handles inflammation. Because adaptogenic mushrooms help good bacteria grow more effectively in our gut, scientists believe this may open new doors for understanding how adding fungi to our daily diets can promote long-term metabolic health.

To dive deeper into the many ways functional mushrooms can support your health and overall well-being (beyond the gut), check out our blog here.

Practical Mushroom Powder Benefits 

If you’re ready to start adding adaptogenic fungi to your daily routine, especially to support a healthy gut, here are a few simple tips to get started:

• Choose a high-quality mushroom powder blend that contains cordyceps, lion’s mane, and reish. All of Madre Mushroom’s varieties deliver a daily dose of prebiotics, making it easy to support your gut in a simple, delicious way.
• Pair it with a fiber-rich diet. Science shows that prebiotic supplements work best alongside leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains.
• Stay consistent and be patient! Microbiome improvements happen gradually, over time. Just like with any wellness habit, a little consistency every day really does make the biggest difference.
• Pair your mushroom routine with plenty of hydration, regular movement, proper rest and mindful eating. Functional mushrooms are mighty allies, but they work best when your body is treated well, inside and out!

Functional Mushrooms for Gut Health: The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to support your gut health in a meaningful way, consider adding functional mushrooms to your daily routine, not as a solo superhero, but as part of a broader approach to wellness. With their prebiotic compounds and emerging connection to the gut-brain axis, mushrooms may be one of the smartest (and most natural) ways to nurture your gut and your mind.

References:

Carabotti, Marilia, Annunziata Scirocco, Maria Antonietta Maselli, and Carola Severi. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions Between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems.” Annals of Gastroenterology 28, no. 2 (2015): 203–209.

Catanese, Lisa. “Prebiotics: Understanding Their Role in Gut Health.” Harvard Health Publishing, May 15, 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/prebiotics-understanding-their-role-in-gut-health.

Kulshreshtha, Shweta. “Mushroom as Prebiotics: A Sustainable Approach for Healthcare.” Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 16, no. 3 (2024): 699–712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-023-10164-5.

Rousta, Neda, Melissa Aslan, Meltem Yesilcimen Akbas, Ferruh Ozcan, Taner Sar, and Mohammad J. Taherzadeh. “Effects of Fungal-Based Bioactive Compounds on Human Health: Review Paper.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2023): 7004–7027. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2178379.

Schlomann, Brandon H., and Raghuveer Parthasarathy. “Timescales of Gut Microbiome Dynamics.” Current Opinion in Microbiology 50 (2019): 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2019.09.011.

Wang, Lijie, Kun Zhang, Yujiao Zeng, Yuting Luo, Jiayan Peng, Jing Zhang, Tingting Kuang, et al. “Gut Mycobiome and Metabolic Diseases: The Known, the Unknown, and the Future.” Pharmacological Research 193 (2023): 106807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106807.

Yu, Changxia, Qin Dong, Mingjie Chen, Ruihua Zhao, Lei Zha, Yan Zhao, Mengke Zhang, et al. “The Effect of Mushroom Dietary Fiber on the Gut Microbiota and Related Health Benefits: A Review.” Journal of Fungi 9, no. 10 (2023): 1028. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9101028.

Zhao, Jiahui, Yixin Hu, Chao Qian, Muhammad Hussain, Shizhu Liu, Anqiang Zhang, Rongjun He, et al. “The Interaction Between Mushroom Polysaccharides and Gut Microbiota and Their Effect on Human Health: A Review.” Biology 12, no. 1 (2023): 122. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010122.

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