What Does Shiitake Mushroom Powder Do?

For centuries, the people of Asia have revelled in the glory of the Shiitake mushroom.

This type of edible fungus has been hailed as a ‘miracle traditional medicine,’ and western interest in alternative medicine continues to grow, shiitake mushroom powder has found its way onto the shelves of thousands of health stores across the world.

With a complex and intense flavour, a myriad of claimed health benefits, and a strong nutrient profile, shiitake mushroom powder is fast becoming a staple superfood in our diets.

But what exactly is it, and what can it do?

Is Shiitake Mushroom Good For Your Skin?

Shiitake mushrooms are naturally anti-inflammatory.

They contain a whole host of vitamins and nutrients including selenium, niacin, zinc, riboflavin, and copper - but more importantly, they contain a generous dose of Vitamin B5 (around 33% per 15 grams).

Vitamin B5 (or pantothenic acid) is one of the most essential vitamins to human life - and is great for your skin!

This water-soluble vitamin is naturally present in many foods or available as a supplement.

B5 can help produce energy by breaking down carbohydrates and fats, but it also has some pretty impressive benefits for our skin, too.

Skin Moisture And Elasticity

Vitamin B5 is said to stabilize the skin barrier, which helps our skin retain more moisture.

This keeps our skin soft, bursting with elasticity, and glowingly moisturized.

If used frequently enough, these effects may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and actively smooth the surface of the skin.

May Reduces Acne And Blemishes

Studies have found that Vitamin B5 could also reduce the appearance of acne and facial blemishes when used as a dietary supplement.

Although researchers observed a noticeable reduction in skin lesions during the study, more research is needed to confirm the benefits.

However, it’s fair to assume that incorporating shiitake mushroom powder into your diet will give you a healthy dose of B5, which may help clear up your acne or blemished skin.

There’s not enough evidence to confirm whether shiitake mushroom works better as a powder or topical cream for skin care.

Either way, taking shiitake mushroom in powder form will still give you a generous dose of the nutrients required to actively maintain and potentially improve skin health.

Is Shiitake Mushroom Good For Your Hair?

To grow healthy hair, several vitamins and nutrients must be present in your diet, including antioxidants, vitamin D, selenium, and copper - all of which can be found in the shiitake mushroom.

Unfortunately, not enough evidence exists to confirm just how much the shiitake mushroom can improve our hair health.

However, we do have the science behind its nutrient profile to help inform our decisions.

Let’s take a closer look at the nutrients found in the shiitake mushroom, and how these have been proven to improve our hair health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for good immunity, healthy bones, healthy skin, and healthy hair. Research shows that a lack of Vitamin D can cause hair loss and stunt hair growth, and deficiencies have been linked to conditions such as autoimmune diseases and alopecia.

Selenium

Selenium is needed to produce thyroid hormones, and it may help regulate hair growth.

Research has found that selenium is involved in the creation of new hair, and newly forming hair will take up selenium after being exposed to trace amounts in the blood.

Copper

Copper is essential for hair colour, but it may also help maintain the structure of the hair shaft.

Copper may also improve the presence of collagen and elastin in the body, which increase fat cells in the scalp.

Research has found that copper is also integral for stimulating blood vessel growth, which is integral for the formation of hair.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants may help maintain collagen in the body. Research shows that when applied directly to the scalp, antioxidants can improve the condition of the scalp and help reduce hair shedding.

It’s thought that absorbing antioxidants from food or supplements also has the same effects.

Is Shiitake Mushroom Good For Weight Loss?

If you’re looking to shave off a few extra pounds, adding shiitake mushroom powder to your diet may help (as long as you’re doing everything else right too remember!).

One study found that adding extracts of the shiitake mushroom to a high-fat diet can help prevent weight gain, plasma TAG, and fat deposition in rats.

Although this research is only an animal study, preliminary results are interesting.

Some of the shiitake mushroom's most notable hypolipidemic (or fat reducing) properties include b-glucan and eritadenine.

Eritadenine

Eritadenine is a chemical compound found in the Shiitake mushroom, which is said to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

When we lose weight, our cholesterol will naturally rise, as more cholesterol stored in the blood dissipates into the bloodstream.

So, if you want to keep your cholesterol in check during your weight loss journey, this is good news!

B-Glucan

B-Glucans are high in fibre, which may make you feel fuller for longer. However, there’s not enough evidence to suggest that b-glucans can directly cause weight loss.

If you want to cut down on the snacking, though, a generous dose of b-glucans from your shiitake mushroom powder may help.

If you’re a fan of raw shiitake mushrooms, we have good news for you. Half a cup of shiitake mushroom contains as few as ten calories, so don’t be deterred by their moreish flavour. They’re still easy on the waistline!

Shiitake powder is no exception. One portion of dried shiitake mushroom powder (fifteen grams) contains as little as 44 calories, so you can incorporate this into your recipes guilt-free.

The shiitake mushroom also contains most of the same amino acids as meat, so if you’re pursuing a vegan diet in the hopes of losing weight, you may be in for some luck!

The Bottom Line

Edible, gourmet and medicinal mushrooms are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the shiitake mushroom is no exception.

So, whether you’re looking to improve your hair health or stimulate hair growth, clear up your skin, or find a supplement to complement your weight-loss journey, shiitake mushroom powder may be a worthwhile addition to your lifestyle.

Darcy Ogdon-Nolan

Holding a Bachelor Of Science (Hons.) combined with close to a decade now in the health food and wellness industry, I believe I'm uniquely positioned to provide a depth of knowledge and first-hand experience on emerging health products, trends and ideas! From greens powders and medicinal mushrooms through to protein powders and workout nutrition - I'm particularly interested in what modern science can uncover about what human cultures have been using to treat ailments for millennia!