Medicinal mushrooms – such as chaga, lion’s mane, and reishi – are increasingly appearing in broths, beverages, and body care products. The tendency toward functional mushrooms has led Whole Foods and other experts to list them as one of the year’s biggest food trends. Nutritional qualities vary by mushroom type and means of cultivation, according to Robert Beelman, professor of food science at Pennsylvania State University. And sales of foods containing medicinal mushrooms have surged by as much 800 per cent year-on-year, according to Food Navigator. “The claims made by the medicinal mushroom industry should be treated with great skepticism,” Nicholas P. Money, professor of botany at Miami University, told Fast Company, adding that scientific proof of preventative powers and healing properties is necessary.

Source: National Post May 02, 2018 18:45 UTC