From curing depression to fixing your skin, we test new mushroom-based products
MUSHROOMS have been named as one of the biggest wellness trends of the year.
They are a natural, vegan favourite and scientists have found enormous mental health benefits, including for stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
Non-hallucinogenic options are available on menus and shelves in the form of supplements, extracts, drinks, powders and even cocktails.
Today Jane Atkinson puts some to the test.
Malty Marvel
DIRTEA Tremella Mushroom Powder contains tremella, aka the beauty mushroom, which is known for improving skin tone, elasticity and hydration, banishing blemishes and leaving a glowing complexion.
But it is also great for health.
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It is very high in dietary fibre, vitamins D, A and B and is a good source of minerals including potassium, copper, manganese and phosphorus.
It also contains unique molecules that naturally retain water so helps prevent us becoming dehydrated.
This is great for me as I never drink enough water!
It comes in a powder form and can be added to hot or cold water or milk or even coffee or a smoothie.
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There are about 30, 2g servings in a tin.
- £44.99 for 60g or £29.99 on subscription,
Chocolate rainbow
SPACEGOODS Rainbow Dust is an all-in-one chocolate-flavoured powder blend that can be mixed with water or milk, hot or cold, or added to smoothies or food.
It is made with three types of functional mushrooms – Lion’s Mane, which is said to be good for the heart, brain and gut; Cordyceps, believed to help the immune system; and Chaga, which reduces inflammation and some studies claim has cancer-fighting benefits.
It is designed to boost energy and sharpen focus without the crashes of energy drinks.
I added it to hot water in the morning and found the taste too hard to get used to.
I’d have preferred it without its added sweeteners, but the powder is vegan and cruelty-free.
Each bag contains around 30 servings.
- Starter kit, £39 for 240g powder plus mug, .
Clear-thinking pill
I REALLY like Grass & Co, because its products are put together with different wellness outcomes in mind.
I tried the Focus Lion’s Mane capsules which also contain vitamins B12 and D and Omega 3.
Each capsule contains 300g, which is a good dose of the mushrooms’ fruiting bodies and features the active compounds that help mind and body, including healthy antioxidants.
My concentration levels were noticeably better when taken in the morning.
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The company has also harnessed the qualities of mushroom varieties to help with gut health, sleep, relaxation and energy.
- £24.50 for 60,