You’d be surprised by how much existing research there is on mushrooms’ health-boosting properties, explains Four Sigma Foods president Tero Isokauppila, who hired a biochemist to collect scientific information on their benefits.
One surprising element of proof is the pretty abundant use of mushrooms in pharmaceuticals. According to the University of Sydney Mycology Department, at the beginning of the 21st century, “fungi were involved in the industrial processing of more than 10 of the 20 most profitable products used in human medicine,” including drugs for high cholesterol, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. Cordyceps, for example, were used to create the drug Gileyna, used to fight autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis.
Cordyceps are one of the three main types of mushrooms the teas tend to focus on, along with reishi and chaga. (Memorize those three and you’re set!) “Reishi is the most studied and the queen of mushrooms,” Isokauppila says. “It can help regulate hormones, lower stress, and break down [stress-related] cortisol. Chaga has the highest source of antioxidants…while cordyceps are really good for oxygen intake, so a lot of athletes drink that.” Maybe your new pre-workout hydration ritual? Which brings us to a very important question…