Health Benefits

More Health Information of Shiitake Mushrooms 

– Shiitake Mushrooms – A Delicious and Nutritious Superfood –

For centuries, shiitake mushrooms have been highly prized by chefs, health-conscious diners, and wellness experts. These flavorful mushrooms are packed with nutrition and are known for their unique, savory flavor.

Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of protein and dietary fiber and contain impressive amounts of important minerals, including selenium, manganese, copper and zinc. And when it comes to vitamins, shiitake mushrooms pack a punch, providing a healthy supply of vitamins B, C and D which can help bolster the body’s defenses against infection.

Shiitake Mushrooms have the highest levels of a powerful antioxidant called Ergothioneine. Ergothioneine is found in various forms of fungi, but it’s not present in many other foods. This makes mushrooms a great source for this important compound which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Mushroom consumption may lower risk of depression. Penn State researchers used data on diet and mental health collected from more than 24,000 U.S. adults between 2005 and 2016. They found that people who ate mushrooms had lower odds of having depression.  “Having high levels of Ergothioneine may lower the risk of oxidative stress, which could also reduce the symptoms of depression.”

According to the National Cancer Institute website, the institute has been using selenium in the hope of coming up with a cure to cancer. However, until then why don’t you get a head start and reduce your chances of contracting cancer. The mushroom is credited with lowering serum cholesterol levels by 12% through Eritadenine. Eritadenine is a compound contained in the mushroom. Shiitake’s healing properties are also reflected in its anti-viral strengths. It is said that once metabolized, the glucan-based compound therein is able to fight the influenza virus, bacterial infection, and other infectious elements like cancerous cells.  

A team from the Department of Psychological Medicine and Department of Biochemistry at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has found that seniors who consume more than two standard portions of Shiitake mushrooms weekly may have 50 per cent reduced odds of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 


Johann Bruhn, PH.D., research associate professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia & Michelle Hall, Senior Information Specialist, Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri-Columbia updated their elaborate article on the shiitake mushroom. They indicated that the mushroom is low in sodium, low in glucose and is a rich source of fiber. Hence, shiitake is ideal for diabetics and other invalids. In their writings, “Influence of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) on human serum cholesterol” they recommend shiitake for lowering serum cholesterol.  

Japanese pharmaceutical company, Ajinomoto, is already using lentinan from shiitake mushrooms to treat stomach cancers. Other countries are also using it as injectable medication to fight cancer. In Japan, shiitake has been used as a natural treatment of cancer because of its complex carbohydrate, lentinan. It is also a source of selenium, an antioxidant that is said to prevent cancer.

ClinicalTrials.gov show results from phase II clinical studies that have demonstrated that AHCC was effective in supporting the host immune system’s elimination of persistent HPV infections and was well tolerated with no significant adverse side effects reported. 

The city of hope national medical center is conducting further research to determine if lentinan from the shiitake mushroom is capable of preventing lung cancer. Research shows that lentinan has strong anti-tumor properties and is already being used to fight gastric cancer. In some other areas, it is being tried as a cure for candida, tuberculosis, and the HIV virus. Generally, the polysaccharides in the shiitake mushroom are credited with boosting a person’s immune system and hence keeping disease at bay. According to mushroom researcher Jeff Chilton: “these compounds have been the primary focus of research due to their ability to inhibit tumors in laboratory test animals. Mushroom polysaccharides act by enhancing host defenses rather than directly killing tumor cells. For this reason, they are called host defense potentiators (hdp).” 

American Cancer Society 

The American Cancer Society notes that shitake mushrooms do seem to have some anti-tumor effect on lab animals. The organization notes that these effects may come from the mushroom’s ability to boost the immune system. They contain a compound called lentinan, which has been shown to strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight infection and disease. The American Cancer Society says that lentinan can actually reduce and slow the growth of cancer cells while increasing activity to combat tumors by activating certain cells and proteins that attack cancer. 

Powerful Antioxidant 

Antioxidants help the body fight off free radicals, which can mutate cells and ultimately lead to cancer. Shiitake mushrooms have been found to contain a potent antioxidant, l-ergothioneine. In research presented at the American Chemical Society meeting in Washington, D.C., an American research team revealed that mushrooms “contain higher concentrations of l-ergothioneine than either of the two dietary sources previously believed to contain the most: Chicken liver and Wheat germ,” according to the world’s healthiest foods. The team further found that when comparing mushrooms consumed in the United States, the shiitake mushroom outweighed other types with the highest l-ergothioneine content.

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  2. October 12, 2021 Source: Penn State Summary: Mushrooms have been making headlines due to their many health advantages. Not only do they lower one’s risk of cancer and premature death, but new research also reveals that these super-foods may benefit a person’s mental health. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211012102657.htm
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***NOTE: None of the information here should substitute advice from your doctor or medical professionals. All information is based on published data, sources, studies and health resources.