There are lots of reasons to consider consuming more mushrooms, and not all of them are psychedelic.
Functional mushrooms is the term given to fungi that offer health benefits, from strengthening the immune system to boosting memory. Demand for functional mushrooms is growing, and along with it a wide selection of mushroom-infused products like coffee, smoothies and tinctures.
“Functional mushrooms are one of the latest health trends to go mainstream, with more people exploring the integration of mushrooms into their wellness routines. A recent survey commissioned by Beatrice Society revealed that 48 per cent of Canadians are open to trying functional mushrooms if they knew they could have an impact on their overall health and wellness,” Beatrice Society said in a press release.
Functional mushrooms go beyond the white button mushrooms you’ll find in the produce aisle. The Chaga mushroom grows on birch trees, and is said to be rich in antioxidants. Lion’s Mane is found on decaying hardwood logs, and may improve memory and focus. Reishi mushrooms grow in warm, humid Asian climates, and some use them to improve sleep quality and reduce stress. Finding and identifying wild mushrooms for safe consumption is difficult, but the Beatrice Society survey suggests Canadians are interested in trying products which include functional mushrooms.
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Notable results from the survey include:
- 12 per cent of Canadians have tried a natural product to improve their mental health and overall wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, with another 10 per cent trying CBD.
- 65 per cent of Canadians prioritize and trust research-backed articles when learning about a new health trend.
The top three barriers Canadians experience when trying to learn about how a new health trend or solution can improve their health include:
- They don’t know how it will make them feel (36 per cent)
- They don’t know anyone who’s tried it (28 per cent)
- They cannot find reliable research (26 per cent)
To learn more about new wellness trends, visit canadianevergreen.com/health.