We live in the age of medicinal mushrooms, where fungi are no longer just a food ingredient, but a powerful health supplement with a plethora of benefits. Functional mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine in various parts of the world, including China, North America, and Europe. Today, the world is re-discovering the power of mushrooms, and they are becoming more popular than ever. There are so many different types of medicinal mushrooms available these days, but in this post, we’ll focus on some of the health benefits of functional mushrooms, why you should consider adding them to your product or launching a line of functional mushroom-based products, and what to keep in mind as you formulate with them.
Antioxidants
Vitamins & nutrients
Anti-inflammatory
Immune support
Stress & Anxiety Reduction
Weight Management & Blood Sugar Regulation
Gut Health (for more info on the gut-brain connection see this blog)
Chaga mushrooms protect the liver and contain high levels of antioxidants that prevent oxidative damage in the body. The beta-glucans found in Reishi mushrooms have many benefits, including reduction of oxidative stress. The power of antioxidants has been widely popularized for years and functional mushrooms are yet another powerhouse of antioxidants.
2. Anti-inflammatory:
Functional mushrooms offer several health benefits due to their anti-inflammatory properties. For example, Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides known as beta-glucans that can effectively boost the immune system, combat allergies, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Other more widely known mushrooms with anti-inflammatory properties include Chaga and Cordyceps.
3. Immune Support:
Functional mushrooms are packed with immune-enhancing polysaccharides that help to stimulate white blood cells, which in turn shield the body against infections and diseases. This means that consuming mushrooms can improve overall health and reduce the risk of getting sick. In particular, Shiitake mushrooms contain an immune-boosting compound called lentinan that supports natural killer cell function and reduces the number of cancer cells. Beta-glucans also make Maitake and Turkey Tail powerful immune boosters.
4. Stress and Anxiety Reduction:
Managing stress can be tough, but functional mushrooms can offer a natural way to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Reishi mushrooms contain compounds that have calming effects and can decrease symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Additionally, Lion's Mane mushrooms can improve cognitive function and the ability to deal with stress, making them an ideal supplement during high-pressure situations.
5. Weight Management & Blood Sugar Regulation:
For many people, balancing weight and blood sugar is a constant struggle, but adding mushrooms to the diet can help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels, aiding in weight management. Maitake mushrooms, for example, contain beta-glucans, which can lower blood sugar levels by activating insulin receptors. This makes maitake mushrooms a good dietary addition for those with Type 2 diabetes, or for anyone looking to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
6. Gut Health:
The health of our gastrointestinal system is critical to overall health and wellbeing. Mushrooms are a great way to support gut health because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties . In particular, Chaga and Turkey Tail mushrooms contain compounds that promote the growth of good gut bacteria, making them an ideal supplement for anyone with gut diseases. Furthermore, the beta-glucans found in mushrooms strengthen the gut lining and ward off harmful bacteria, which can help to reduce inflammation in the gut.
Why would I want to add Functional Mushrooms to my Product or Launch a new line of functional mushroom based products into the market?
Functional Foods are one of the main drivers for purchase intent of foods and beverages today. Functional food sales are being driven by societal and personal ambitions for improved health and disease prevention, whether substantial or superficial. Functional Foods provide consumers with a convenient way to improve their health, regardless of the driving motivation behind it. The Functional Food and Beverage Market is reported to balloon in size to over $530Billion by 2030.
Functional mushrooms have become the new buzzword in the food industry. Functional mushrooms have been popularized in the wellness industry for their numerous health benefits. They contain key nutrients that can help support a healthy immune system and provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As the food industry looks for healthier alternatives to add to their products, mushrooms have become a go-to ingredient for formulators looking to create differentiated better-for-you options.
For example, adding Chaga mushroom powder to hot chocolate can increase the drink's antioxidant properties. Including Shiitake mushrooms in soups can improve cardiovascular health and reduce cholesterol levels.
How do I formulate products with Functional Mushrooms?
A product developer might be a little uncertain about how to formulate with functional mushrooms. As the market begins to mature, more functional mushroom options will become available to product developers to make the process faster and smoother. As with any project, pairing a science based approach with a culinary mindset will make formulating with functional mushrooms a less daunting task. Read on for more information on how to formulate and then package your functional mushroom products.
1. Formulating with Functional Mushrooms
When formulating with functional mushrooms, it's important to create products that not only offer the health benefits but also taste good. Formulating with functional mushrooms can be a challenge, as they can have a strong and often earthy taste. However, with the right combination of ingredients, dosing and processing techniques, they can be incorporated into a wide range of foods. Some popular ways to use functional mushrooms in foods include adding them to dried or powdered beverages, incorporating them into soups or sauces, or using them as an additive in plant based meats.
Due to their umami flavor profiles and earthiness, mushroom extracts and powders play nice with coffee and chocolate, tea, vanillas, spices and curry flavor profiles, where the mushroom flavors can be more easily masked or pair well with the other flavor compounds naturally present. Companies like Om Mushroom Superfood and MUD\WTRⓇ have led the functional mushroom CPG space for a while and we’re seeing them continually expand their product offerings, getting into the gummy and protein powder realms.
2. Different ways to formulate with Functional mushrooms:
There are various ways to formulate with functional mushrooms in food and beverage products. You can either use mushroom extracts, powders, or whole mushrooms either dried, fresh or frozen. Mushroom extracts such as Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps can easily be added to beverages or even confections. Mushroom powders work well in baked goods and snacks such as granola bars, energy bites, and protein balls as well as capsules. Whole mushrooms can be used in soups, stews, and other savory dishes where piece identification is important for consumer acceptability. Combinations of different formats may be necessary depending on the application for efficacy, processing or supply chain purposes.
3. Packaging and Marketing Functional Mushroom-Based Foods
As you develop your functional mushroom-based product, there are important considerations for the packaging and labeling of the end product. You'll want to engage your marketing and packaging teams ahead of the formulation process to determine any desired label claims or health benefits that you should consider in your process. Not only has market research shown that the aesthetic directly affects purchase intent, but also the labeling of potential health benefits and credibility of purported claims are significant as well. If you can plan for the labeling and marketing ahead of time, then you can narrow your scope for the research and development process of your functional mushroom products. You can also determine if you will need to conduct any research studies or even clinical trials based on the claims your company wants to make.
Some popular claims found on mushroom-based products include references to immune support, anti-inflammatory benefits, and antioxidant properties. Keep in mind: There are regulatory requirements when it comes to labeling mushrooms on your product, and supplement brands should not claim or imply that their product will diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, or you will likely receive a warning letter from the FDA.
In summary, functional mushrooms offer numerous health benefits, including immune support, stress and anxiety reduction, weight management, and gut health. The functional food and beverage market is projected to reach over $530 billion by 2030, and functional mushrooms are becoming a popular ingredient for creating healthier and more innovative products. When formulating products with functional mushrooms, it's important to consider taste as well as dosing and processing techniques. By incorporating functional mushrooms into foods and beverages, it's possible to offer consumers a convenient and delicious way to improve their health and well-being.
At The New Flavor, we believe in empowering entrepreneurs and big brands to bring innovative and healthful products to market. By understanding the benefits of functional mushrooms, market trends, and business opportunities, companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market and create successful products that meet the needs of consumers. Our mission is to guide and advise entrepreneurs through the process of bringing their visions for new foods and beverages to life, introducing them to new or novel techniques, ingredients, and processes. For more information reach out to The New Flavor for assistance.
Comments