Shiitake mushroom – nutritional and medicinal properties

Shiitake mushrooms are among the most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world. Their nutritional and medicinal properties are of interest to nutritionists and other scientists seeking natural compounds that support the treatment of common diseases and ailments. Shiitake mushrooms are particularly valued for their immunomodulatory properties, supporting healthy metabolism, regulating blood sugar levels, and antibacterial properties.

Traditional Uses of Shiitake Mushrooms

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is a species with medicinal properties that has been used in traditional Eastern medicine for hundreds of years. The first records of its cultivation date back to China during the Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD).

Shiitake extracts are valued in traditional Chinese medicine for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is believed that including shiitake mushrooms in your daily diet helps maintain good health and counteracts lifestyle diseases. 

Shiitake Mushroom Nutrients

Modern analyses of the nutritional value of Shiitake mushrooms confirm that they are rich in macro- and micronutrients: they contain numerous minerals (potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron and phosphorus) and vitamins (provitamin D2, vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12 and niacin), dietary fiber, protein, biologically active compounds, including polysaccharides, antioxidants and ergosterol. 

Today, shiitake mushrooms are the second most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world. In 2000, over 7.5 million tons were produced (Royse, 2005), and production has increased further over the past 20 years. 

Therapeutic properties of Shiitake extracts

Shiitake Polysaccharides and the Immune System 

Currently, the Shiitake mushroom is attracting interest from researchers, especially due to the specific polysaccharides it contains, which have beneficial immunomodulatory effects on the human body.

Article published by a Polish research team in 2022 reports that over the last three decades, numerous studies on Shiitake polysaccharides have demonstrated their properties modulating the body's immune response, both innate and adaptive. 

The polysaccharides found in Shiitake mushrooms belong to the group of β-glucans, and therefore bind to receptors found on the surface of many different types of immune system cells and thus influence its functioning. 

Important examples of the immunomodulatory effects of Shiitake polysaccharides include stimulation of the immune system to produce substances to fight cancer cells, activation of the innate immune response, and inhibition of certain inflammatory reactions.

The immunoregulatory properties of aqueous extracts containing three types of polysaccharides derived from Shiitake mushrooms have been confirmed in study on mice with reduced immunity. 

Other properties of Japanese scleroderma

W research review we find a discussion of the following properties of Shiitake:

• antibacterial 

• antiviral

• anticancer

• antioxidants

• liver-protecting

• lowering cholesterol levels

• improving metabolism

• regulating blood sugar levels

Possible antidiabetic mechanisms, such as regulation of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, lipotoxicity, insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, among others, are discussed in article. Its authors point out that the data they present could provide a foundation for clinical trials confirming the potential of shiitake mushrooms as a superfood in the treatment of diabetes.

Test A study conducted in rats on metabolism and obesity showed that adding a high dose of powdered Shiitake mushrooms to a high-fat diet could significantly prevent overall fat accumulation and significantly reduce plasma triglyceride levels in rats (compared to a high-fat diet without the addition of Shiitake mushrooms). The effectiveness of Shiitake mushrooms in this regard was dose-dependent and dependent on the sucrose content of the diet.

Scientists believe that further research is needed to develop Shiitake-based metabolic drugs that take into account the two factors mentioned above.

We'll have to wait a while for Lentinula edodes-based drugs to be developed and approved for sale. However, shiitake mushroom extracts with dietary supplement status are already available on the market. 

In our store you will find Shiitake extract from a Polish manufacturer in the form of drops: Ollywell Shiitake 30ml extract drops

Sources:

1. Muszyńska B et al., Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) – biological activity, Medicina Internacia Revuo, 2017: https://interrev.com/mir/index.php/mir/article/view/17 

2. Behar N et al., Chapter 26 – Role of fungal metabolites in pharmaceuticals, human health, and agriculture, Fungal Secondary Metabolites, 2024: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323952415000058 

3. Ishtiaq A et al., Therapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review, Tends in Food and Technology, 2023: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224423000821 

4. Roszczyk A et al., Immunomodulatory Properties of Polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/16/8980 

5. Handayani D et al., Dietary Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinus edodes) Prevents Fat Deposition and Lowers Triglyceride in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet, Journal of Obesity, 2011: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2011/258051/#abstract 

6. Shuvarghya Ch et al., Lentinan, β-glucan from Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): A review on structure, conformational transition, and gastro-intestinal interaction contributing towards its anti-diabetic potential, Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2023: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224423003394 

Ishtiaq A et al., Therapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review, Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2023: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224423000821