Category: Functional fungi

Used for over two millennia in traditional Chinese medicine, Poria cocos is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees, despite being mistaken for a fruit. This medicinal mushroom is celebrated for its unique bioactive compounds, which modern research is beginning to validate for various therapeutic effects.

Recent lab tests have revealed that some mushroom gummies, deceptively branded, contain unlabeled and illegal substances like psilocybin, posing significant health risks. Understanding the actual ingredients in 'fun guy gummies' is crucial for consumer safety, as the contents can range dramatically from beneficial functional fungi to dangerous psychoactive compounds.

A significant difference exists in the bioactive compound concentration between mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelium, impacting the efficacy of supplements. This comparison explores which part is best for consumption and why it's crucial to understand the source of your functional fungi to get the intended benefits, answering the question: is it better to eat the fruiting body or mycelium?

According to a 2020 review of cancer studies, regularly eating mushrooms may lower your risk of cancer by as much as 45%. This remarkable finding emphasizes why so many are asking: **Which mushroom is a super food?** The answer involves exploring several unique functional fungi, each prized for its distinct nutritional profile and therapeutic properties.