There is a growing awareness of the numerous health benefits of mushrooms. Of course, we are talking about the non-toxic ones as some are toxic and can leave those who consume them in complicated health situations.
Clitocybe Dealbata, Gymnopilus Spectabilis, Inocybe Spp, Amanita Phalloides (also known as Death Cap), Amanita Virosa (also known as Destroying Angel), and Galerina Marginata are some of the toxic ones. So, people hoping to enjoy the health benefits of these funguses or their appealing taste should steer clear of these. You can read this article for more information on toxic mushrooms.
Beneficial Mushrooms are Either Available in Extract or Whole Forms
You could either use beneficial funguses in whole or extracted form. The whole form simply requires grinding every bit of the fungus into powder form.
As the name suggests, the extract form requires an extraction process that leaves out certain parts but offers users a greater concentration of certain compounds. Extraction also makes it possible to have mushrooms in various forms. For example, this could be in tinctures, capsules, or dried powders.
One of the long-standing questions among people who use mushrooms, especially for health purposes has been which is better between both forms. The answer depends on your yardsticks for assessing which is better. More about this will be discussed subsequently as their benefits will be examined. So, keep reading to find out more.
Benefits of Mushroom Extracts
Mushroom extracts are superior to whole mushrooms in certain ways including:
Concentration
The extraction process is such that several bioactive compounds are extracted. As a result, there is a greater concentration of these compounds in these extracts than in the whole form.
This aids in maximizing the health benefits of these funguses, among other things. For example, users are guaranteed a greater concentration of psilocybin from extracts from magic mushroom revival. This can make such products more effective for treating mental health issues.
Availability in Various Forms
They can be made available in several convenient forms. Options include powders, capsules/tablets, and tinctures. You can check out any Edible Alchemy mushroom shop for other options.
The variety brings ease and respects people’s preferences. For instance, some users find the use of tinctures more convenient than capsules or powders.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability explains how quickly and well the body breaks down and utilizes bioactive compounds available in drugs or foods. This in turn determines how effective a drug or food is for healthy living.
Extracts do a better job than whole mushrooms at this. The extraction process ensures that a lot of the things that can slow down the disintegration and utilization of these compounds are removed. This includes tough substances like chitin that make it hard to break down these funguses during digestion.
One way to aid digestion with whole mushrooms is to subject them to intense heat. This is either by cooking them or leaving them in hot water for a long period. Well, this equally has its disadvantages as intense heat can make these funguses lose a lot of their bioactive compounds. This makes extracts better in this regard.
Shelf Life
Typically, the shelf life of the whole form cannot be compared with the extract form which does way better. Its beneficial properties can be enjoyed for an extended period because it is easier to store and preserve it.
Consistency
The amounts of bioactive compounds and other properties are consistent in extracts. As a result, it is easier to prescribe how much should be used. On the other hand, it takes a lot to achieve the same level of consistency with the whole form. As a result, users may not be guaranteed consistency in the levels of compounds and other additions.
Benefits of Whole Mushrooms
Whole mushrooms are superior to mushroom extracts in certain ways including:
Rich Presence of Dietary Fiber
One of the ways these funguses are known to offer health benefits is by enhancing cardiovascular health. Contents such as potassium and fiber are essential for this purpose. Sadly, lots of its dietary fiber can be lost with extraction processes. Fortunately, this is not the case with whole mushrooms as dietary fiber remains intact in them.
Less Processing
Whole mushrooms offer the closest things to natural and/or organic solutions. The same cannot always be said about extracts that may involve lots of chemicals, some of which may be harmful.
Synergistic Effects
Some compounds in mushrooms perform better when other compounds are present in the mix. This is how it is with whole mushrooms as every bit is ground and converted into powder. No compound is lost in any process as is the case with the extract form.
Cost-Effectiveness
There are so many complexities involved in the production of mushroom extracts. The process of making whole mushrooms is a lot simpler. This is why it is usually cheaper. So, it is a cost-effective approach to enjoying the several benefits of these funguses.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the strengths and weaknesses of mushrooms in whole or extract form. For more on this subject, you can watch:
The better option between both forms depends on what your interests are. For example, it would seem like the whole form is better if you think about things like cost and synergistic effects. On the other hand, the extract form will seem better if you consider things like bioavailability, bioactive compound concentration, and shelf life.
So, you should choose what best suits you. Ultimately, selecting high-quality products is essential. This is regardless of your chosen form.