How Mushrooms Have Powered Up the Supplement Market

Written By Megan Tribble

Health enthusiasts and curious minds, let's take a look at the rise of a winner – mushrooms. Yep, those fungi have powered up the market, and it's not just about portobellos on your pizza or the buzz surrounding psychedelics. Functional supplements are booming and specific varieties of mushrooms are becoming better known for their health benefits. More than just a tasty topping, these spores of wonder that have been used for centuries are finally making a proper comeback.

The Rise of Mushroom Supplements

Mushroom products have recently piqued the curiosity of brands and consumers alike, but why? While companies were already introducing functional mushrooms to a larger market, the pandemic made people increasingly more health-conscious, which helped expand minds toward lifestyle changes. With a desire for high-protein diets, vegan options, and immune system boosters, mushrooms fed that hunger in a new light. Due to their short shelf-life, mushrooms are distributed well in extracts and powders. This made many packaged food products interested in adding functional mushrooms to their ingredient list and amplified consumer demand for targeted support. Then, just like that, mushroom supplements became more sought after and their popularity is growing (1).

Health Benefits From Popular Mushrooms

Are fungi worth the hype? Several are adaptogens that help keep our bodies in balance and reduce the toll from outside stressors. Let’s check out some of the most popular functional mushrooms and see what they bring to the table. 

Lion’s Mane 

Rich in thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin, lion’s mane mushrooms are also a good source of manganese, zinc, and potassium. Widely used to improve mental functions, its many health benefits include antioxidative, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects (2).

Chaga

This medicinal mushroom's ability to improve immunity, even in immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals, is well documented (3). However, it also aids in reducing inflammation (4), slows cancer growth (5), and more. 

Reishi

With over 400 nutrients, Reishi mushrooms are used to support healthy immune system response, improve sleep cycles, and reduce stress. Ancient Chinese text discusses Reishi’s anti-aging properties and benefits to overall wellness (6)

Cordyceps Militaris

With the potential to fight inflammation, tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and much more (7), cordyceps mushrooms are often used in dietary supplements to improve physical performance. 

Turkey Tail

Also used to boost athletic strength and immune health, turkey tail mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years in cultures around the world. More recently, research has studied it as a potential cancer treatment (8).

Functional Dietary Supplements

As we begin to recognize the health advantages of mushrooms, the Factory6 team has been in the lab. With a passion for building creative nutraceuticals that pack a punch in quality and flavor, mushrooms have been a key ingredient brands want for their products.

Successful formulations that are third-party tested and taste excellent include:

  • Hot teas

  • Gummies

  • Cocoa powder

  • Nootropics capsules

Mushrooms can support consumers in their quest to improve brain function, immunity, gut health, inflammation, fitness goals, and beyond. If you’re looking to create unique supplements people want, reach out for a quote.

Megan Tribble
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