Mushroom gummies: do they actually deliver?

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, ao-button”} }”>

Mushrooms are everywhere right now, and mushrooms are quickly becoming the hottest new trend in everything from salads and side dishes to slats to smoothies. Mushrooms have long been a delicious, flavorful addition to recipes – but now, medicinal mushrooms (or functional mushrooms, as they are also called) are showcased in new ways. Why this sudden burst of popularity? Well, everyone is discovering that mushrooms have potential for health and wellness. And right now, mushrooms are the hottest new gummy supplement, promising numerous benefits for almost every aspect of your health.

Should you try mushroom gummies? Lots of over-promised and under-delivered gummy vitamins. So I tried gummy mushrooms to find out if they’re worth all the hype – or if they’re a supplement you should skip.

What are mushroom gummies?

Mushroom gummies are like any other gummy vitamin variety. It is a delicious form of dietary supplement, with a blend of different nutrients and ingredients blended into a convenient, chewy, sweet gummy treat.

However, mushroom gummies are a little different from your typical gummy vitamin. Instead of containing mostly vitamins and minerals, they include a blend of medicinal mushrooms. Made with concentrated mushroom powders as well as mushroom extracts, it’s all the same benefits you’d get from eating mushrooms, but in an easy-to-consume format. And gummies can hold anywhere from a variety of mushrooms to a whole bunch. Inside a mushroom candy, you’ll likely find mushrooms like:

• maitake
• Shiitake
• Lion’s mane
• Reishi
• Cordyceps
• chaga
• Turkey tail
• royal sun
• white button

Really, any mushroom with functional benefits – or health benefits – can be included in a gummy supplement. And they’re designed to be more convenient than eating a plate full of mushrooms, condensing those beneficial mushrooms into a smaller package that requires no cooking or preparation.

What kinds of benefits can mushroom gummies provide?

Because mushroom gummy supplements are made with functional mushrooms, they are loaded with beneficial nutrients. What exactly do functional mushrooms offer? These varieties of mushrooms have powerful combinations of natural compounds that can increase energy, improve or enhance immune system function, and help you get a better night’s sleep – and these are just a few examples of what they can offer.

Medicinal or functional mushrooms include beta-D-glucans, which are linked to the immune system; triterpenoids, which work with beta-D-glucans to improve immune function and can fight inflammation; and ergosterol, which acts as an immunomodulator and antioxidant. These mushrooms have also been found potentially increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. And that’s just a small sample of what functional mushrooms provide.

Each unique combination of mushrooms found in different gummy products may provide different health and wellness benefits. Some promise to boost your immune system, giving it a protective or supportive boost. Others can help increase daily energy naturally. And other varieties of gummy mushrooms can aid in athletic recovery, providing extra nutrients the body needs after tough workouts.

So while a gummy mushroom supplement won’t necessarily provide you with the vitamins you’re missing in your daily diet, they can improve your overall nutrition. They really are an add-on, adding functional extras that can help in small or significant ways.

How does mushroom gummies compare to other mushroom supplements?

Mushroom gummies aren’t the first type of mushroom supplement to show up in your local grocery store, health and wellness stores, or online. They are simply the latest iteration – and they join the ranks of mushroom capsules, powders and other extract-based products.

But erasers are probably the most practical and simple option to date. They’re easy to take, like capsules, but tastier (which, let’s be honest, makes them a bit more fun to consume!). And you don’t have to mix them or stir them into drinks or smoothies like powders, making them great for on the go. Mushroom gummies are also mess-free, making them a more convenient daily supplement.

Mushroom gummies may contain sugars and varying amounts of mushroom extracts

While there’s no denying that the delicious taste and convenience of mushroom gummy supplements are undeniable, there are some downsides to choosing gummy candies. The greatest of all? Gummies are often not as potent as traditional capsule supplements.

According to Cleveland Clinic, because gummy vitamins are designed to be sweeter, more palatable supplements, they are not meant to be a 1:1 exchange. As a general rule, gummy candies contain fewer vitamins and minerals than supplements. in capsules – and although research remains to be done on gummy mushrooms, the same may be true for these varieties. If you’re looking for top-notch potency, you’ll likely get more beneficial mushroom extracts from other types of supplements.

Additionally, in addition to varying amounts of mushroom extracts and varying levels of effectiveness, mushroom gummies also tend to contain sugar, especially added sugars. In order to achieve their delicious flavor, makers of mushroom gummies need to add sugars and sugar substitutes. On average, the Cleveland Clinic reports that gummy vitamins contain between 2 and 8 grams of sugar per serving.

Oh, and there’s one more thing you need to know about gummies. They have a shorter shelf life, and as they begin to “spoil” these supplements become less potent. So if you don’t buy mushroom gummies before their use-by date, you may not be getting as many of these helpful nutrients as you think.

So do these erasers really work?

After reading about all the health and wellness benefits of mushroom gummies, I decided to put them to the test. For 30 days I took mushroom gummies – specifically, Earth & Star’s Super Multi-Mushroom Gummy – to see if they could keep any of their promises.

The Super Multi-Mushroom Gummy is packed with mushroom extracts. It didn’t just include one or two varieties of mushrooms; it includes an impressive 10, with 2,500 milligrams of extracts per serving. From maitake and lion’s mane to reishi and turkey tail, these mighty little gummies had just about every functional mushroom I was looking for. And hence, their packaging touts benefits such as improved memory, focus, and concentration; immune system, gut and nervous system support; and defense against oxidative stress and inflammation.

My first impression was that I could certainly say these weren’t your average gummy vitamins. Their wild raspberry flavor had a mushroom aftertaste (but if you’re a mushroom fan, that’s not really a downside!). And within the first few days of taking these gummies, I noticed a change in my focus and concentration. While it’s hard to say the vitamin gummies work, these mushroom gummies would sharpen my focus within 30 minutes of taking them. They were especially helpful in helping me focus on the tasks ahead of me.

While I can’t speak to any immune or stress-relieving benefits, these gummies have definitely impacted my day-to-day focus. Over the month, I’ve been able to fine-tune the timing so I can focus during the busiest times of my day. And now that I’ve tried them, I’m definitely going to continue using them to boost my focus – and to see what kind of long-term benefits it might be possible to reap.

Want to learn more about the benefits of functional mushrooms in your food? Keep reading: