Are Mushroom Supplements Worth Taking? (2026)

New York City: People have used mushrooms for health for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks used them to help with swelling. Ötzi the Iceman carried mushrooms in his bag (maybe for starting fires) and for fighting worms inside the body. Native Americans pressed mushrooms on wounds to stop bleeding and help them heal. They also used mushrooms to treat asthma.

In China and Asia people have used mushrooms called reishi or lingzhi for over 2,000 years. They believed it helped them stay young and have more energy. This mushroom is still used today to help people with cancer treatments. In cold parts of the world Siberians ground up chaga mushrooms and added them to tea. They thought chaga could stop diseases that make you weak.

Today people eat mushrooms or take mushroom pills hoping to stay healthy. Some studies show mushrooms might help your body in these ways.

Mushrooms may lower your chance of cancer. One study looked at 17 research papers. People who ate about 1/8 cup of mushrooms each day had a 45% lower cancer risk. Mushrooms have ergothioneine which protects your cells. Shiitake oyster maitake and king oyster mushrooms have the most ergothioneine. Any mushrooms are better than none.

Mushrooms help protect your brain. In Singapore people who ate more than 2 cups of mushrooms per week had a 50% lower chance of memory problems.

Mushrooms help your gut. Most foods break down in your stomach acid. But mushroom fiber travels through to your large intestine. There it helps good bacteria grow.

Mushrooms help your immune system. Cremini and portobello are high in selenium. Selenium makes enzymes that stop cell damage. Maitake is a great source of vitamin D. Shiitake gives you vitamin B6.

Some popular mushrooms are chaga cordyceps lion’s mane and reishi. Each one may help your body in different ways. Chaga may help with swelling and problems with your immune system. Cordyceps may help you exercise longer and recover faster. Lion’s mane may help your brain and nerves grow strong. People with breast cancer history should ask their doctor before using lion’s mane. Reishi may help you feel less stressed. It might also help your blood sugar and breathing. All mushrooms have nutrients that help your energy heart and body work well.

The best time to take mushroom supplements depends on which kind you take and what you want them to do.