Today we are looking at some mushroom benefits for men, and the mushrooms that are associated with those benefits. Learn more in this article now!
There is an array of mushroom benefits for men that we discuss in this article below. The healthful constituents in mushrooms are one of the big reasons why mushrooms are gaining a lot of popularity. Their taste is pretty great too, especially from the gourmet mushrooms we provide.
Understanding the history of mushrooms used for health
Mushrooms have been used throughout antiquity for food and medicine. Something we know today and were not able to know in the past, is that fungi and humans share up to 50 percent of their DNA, whereas most plants share less than 10 percent of their DNA with humans. Fungi and humans can both be infected by common pathogens, but fungi are much more adept at manufacturing compounds to combat these pathogens than humans are.
Most people are familiar with the mushroom fruiting body, which is the part of the mushroom that has been consumed by people for thousands of years. The fruiting body is the reproductive stage of the fungi that sheds spores for reproduction. Compounds found in the fruiting bodies have been shown to support multiple systems in the human body including the cardiovascular, digestive, neurological, immune, reproductive, skin, skeletal, and muscular systems.
Here is a list of some of the mushrooms that fall into the category of mushroom benefits for men:
Chaga
Cordyceps
Lion’s mane
Maitake
Reishi
Shiitake
Turkey tail
Each one of these mushrooms comes in our Vital Health Mushroom Blend supplement, which is available as a powder or in capsules. The capsules are great for those who are on the go but still want to get their daily dose of mushrooms. The powder is great to add into soups, stews, tea, coffee, hot water or smoothies.
Here’s some additional information on mushroom benefits for men in regards to the aforementioned mushrooms.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is a native of the Himalayas and is best known for supporting the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells, as well as supporting blood flow. This mushroom has also been referred to as “Himalayan Viagra”. I bet you can guess why…
According to the study, Medicinal Value of the Caterpillar Fungi Species of the
Genus Cordyceps (Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes). A Review, “Preclinical data on the effects of C. sinensis on mice showed sex-steroid-like effects.”
The study continued by saying, “Human clinical trials have similarly demonstrated the effectiveness of Cordyceps in combating decreased sex drive and virility.”
This information implies that cordyceps may have mushroom benefits for men and women.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) may support nerve repair and neurological health and cognition. It’s another mushroom gaining popularity for these reasons, and it looks quite different from many other edible mushrooms.
Maitake or “Hen of the Woods” (Grifola frondosa) grows in northern temperate deciduous forests, and is believed to have the ability to support immune function.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a beautiful mushroom that grows on dead or dying trees throughout the world. It’s best known for supporting energy levels and reducing and supporting immune system and inflammation response.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is native to Japan, Korea, and China, and grows primarily on oaks and beeches. Shiitake is one of the most popular and best-studied medicinal mushrooms due to its lentinan content. Shiitakes have been eaten for thousands of years throughout Asia, and is one of the first mushrooms to be grown commercially.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor aka Coriolus versicolor) is found throughout North America. Turkey tail is a hardy mushroom that is not an edible, like many of the other mushrooms on this list. It is used for supporting the immune system.
Mushroom benefits for men: Inflammation
Edible mushrooms contain the constituent beta-glucan, which fights inflammation and actively aids the immune system. As we age, our immunity naturally slows down, becoming less effective in fighting off infections and disease. Mushrooms can give our immune systems a much-needed boost in both activity and immune vitality. There’s also evidence to suggest that the immune cells become more responsive to infections in the body than ever before.
Mushroom benefits for men: Antioxidants & minerals
We could not talk about mushroom nutrition and forget to mention minerals and antioxidants found in mushrooms. Mushrooms contain many essential minerals, including iron, phosphor, copper, potassium and selenium. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that protects us against heart disease and some cancers. Mushrooms are one of the richest natural sources of selenium, not to mention one of the only items you’ll find in the produce aisle that has it. One single portion of mushrooms can provide a quarter of the daily needs of selenium.
Selenium also partners with vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize the cell-damaging free radicals. It is these free radicals that can lead to significant health problems. According to Web MD, a study reported that “men with higher levels of mineral were 60 percent less likely to develop disease.”
The type of disease that was looked at specifically was prostrate cancer.
Zinc and mushroom benefits for men
Mushrooms are also full of zinc, which helps in boosting your sexual life by acting on the genital organs, especially in males. One study, entitled Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom states that “The regular consumption of zinc-rich mushrooms is found to improve the sperm count and fertility in men.”
Mushroom benefits for men and the cardiovascular system
Cordyceps is also a mushroom used for supporting the heart and cardiovasculat system. In China, the mushrooms has been used for stabilizing the heartbeat and correcting heart arrhythmias in China. According to the study Medicinal Value of the Caterpillar Fungi Species of the Genus Cordyceps (Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes). A Review, “It has been shown that these compounds have an effect on coronary and cerebral circulation.”
If you are interested in mushroom benefits for men, then try our mushroom blend supplements to add mushrooms into your diet with ease!