Most athletes and fitness enthusiasts already have their weight loss and muscle supplements covered. Those rows of protein powder, creatine tubs and magnesium tablets lining the cupboard are evidence. But health isn’t just about staying slim and adding mass. Health is a holistic concept that includes your entire body – its various systems and functions – and your mind.
Therefore, when you place your next online order for supplements and superfoods, think outside the box. In this post, let’s talk about an all-around superfood superstar: Chaga mushrooms. What are Chaga mushrooms, how can they help support overall wellbeing, and why do they deserve a spot in your cupboard as part of a balanced health routine?
Let’s find out.
Chaga 101
Chaga mushrooms are charcoal-like in appearance and grow on birch trees in the Northern Hemisphere. For centuries, several cultures have used them to treat various ailments and support physical and mental health. They enjoy special reverence in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as in indigenous Cree cultures of North America.
These days, you can find Chaga online in powdered form. You can make chaga mushroom coffee in the morning or mix a sachet into your post-workout smoothie.
Below, you’ll find a few of the studied benefits of Chaga mushrooms, which should make a case for why you should stock them as part of your health routine.
Credit: elenka_klimova Via Freepik
Supporting a Healthy Immune System
What’s the number one way you can derail your health and fitness plans? The answer’s simple: by getting sick. Colds and flus are a fact of life, but they can be majorly disruptive to your health goals.
Studies show that Chaga mushrooms may help support your immune system by stimulating white blood cells (your body’s workhouse defenders). They may also promote cytokine formation – proteins that keep your immune system in check.
All it takes to reap the benefits of Chaga’s immune-boosting potential is a little bit each day. The amount you need depends on several factors, like age and current health, but three grams seems to be a standard dose.
Nutrients and Antioxidants
Like many other mushrooms, Chaga is filled with broadly beneficial vitamins and minerals. It has abundant B-vitamins, potassium, Vitamin D, cesium and amino acids (among many others), all of which support a happy, healthy body.
It also contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Research shows that a diet rich in antioxidants helps reduce the risk of several diseases and may even support mental health.
Potential Effects on Cholesterol
A lot of research on Chaga is still in its preliminary stages. (It wasn’t until relatively recently that the West caught on to the potential benefits of Chaga). Still, early research indicates that Chaga mushrooms may help lower low-density lipoprotein (or LDL, commonly known as “the bad cholesterol”). High cholesterol is a contributing source for several other diseases, including heart disease, so there’s some evidence that taking Chaga may help ward off disease in the long term.
If you’re looking for a way to boost your overall health and wellness, even as you concentrate on specific physical health goals, consider giving Chaga a try.
