10 Super Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom

There are over 700 mushroom species in the world, and one of them is the turkey tail mushroom. This particular species is well-known for its therapeutic purposes. Turkey tail mushrooms are quite popular because they have a lot of health benefits. Turkey tail mushrooms are multi-colored, and they also have concentric bands with contrasting shades. These mushrooms can come in shades of white, grey, black, brown, red or even blue. They have velvety and thin bodies along with a fruiting nature.

Treat and prevent colds

Turkey tail mushrooms have potent anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. This means that they can fight off different infections caused by microbes such as the flu and the common cold. This also means that the mushroom can enhance the immune system making it stronger and more effective in fighting germs which cause disease. Because of this, it’s a good idea to start including turkey tail mushrooms in your diet especially when the flu season draws near. This mushroom will help modulate your immune system to perform more effectively in terms of fighting germs and infections.

Promotes the health of the immune system

Speaking of fighting germs and infections, these mushrooms can also help promote the health of the immune system. Turkey tail mushrooms are rich in PSP and PSK, the polysaccharides which are protein-bound. These compounds are the ones responsible for the potent immune-boosting properties of the mushrooms. The PSP and PSK are beta glucans which provide the receptors in the small intestines to maintain the resiliency and strength of the immune system. They are the ones which help improve the immune system’s ability to protect the body against bacteria and viruses.

Beneficial in chemotherapy treatments

For a long time now, the role of turkey tail mushrooms in providing the needed support to cancer patients has been under research. The results of this research have been quite positive especially in breast and prostate cancer. So now, many people who undergo chemotherapy consume turkey tail mushrooms as part of their regular diet. When you undergo chemotherapy, your immune system gets suppressed. Fortunately, the mushrooms can help make the immune system stronger as we’ve stated in the previous point. Therefore, they can help make up for the weakness that the chemotherapy treatment causes. Also, a stronger immune system would help fight off cancer cells which can be very deadly. That’s why these mushrooms are potent cancer-fighting foods.

Beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer

According to research, turkey tail mushrooms are very effective in fighting cancers. Among all the types of cancers, breast cancer is the one in which there are already real-life results from studies. These results even come with an explanation. The mushrooms boost the immune system by recognition of the tumors in the breast. This, in turn, dramatically increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment.

Contains a lot of antioxidants

Another great benefit of turkey tail mushrooms is that they contain a lot of antioxidants. These components help protect the body from the harmful UV rays of the sun which may cause damage. The antioxidants can also help block the free radicals which cause premature aging. Therefore, consuming the mushrooms can even help slow down the aging process. These mushrooms are also rich in vitamin E which will make the skin better by naturally cleansing it.

Protects against heart-related diseases

Turkey tail mushrooms also offer protection against heart-related diseases. This is because the mushrooms help counter a lot of the risk factors which cause those diseases. These mushrooms contain unique compounds and acids which help lower the triglyceride levels of the body. These compounds can also eliminate any excess cholesterol from the blood, therefore, lowering blood pressure. They can also reduce the stickiness of platelets to prevent the formation of blood clots which can be very dangerous.

Aids in digestion

The turkey tail mushrooms have a part called the mycelium. This is the one which enables a smoother digestion process. The mushrooms also contain prebiotics which aid in the activity of the body’s microbiome. They help promote the growth of the “good” bacteria in the gut. The mushrooms are also very helpful in the treatment of the leaky gut syndrome. Therefore, it can also help promote weight loss.

Reduces hypertension and inflammation

Hypertension or an increase in the blood pressure happens when there’s a rise in the pressure of the arteries which carry the blood. Adding turkey tail mushrooms to your diet can help reduce the pressure which, in turn, can also help reduce hypertension. Turkey tail mushrooms can also help reduce inflammations because they also have anti-inflammatory properties. So including these mushrooms in your diet can help reduce internal and external inflammations.

Beneficial for those with AIDS

People who have AIDS/HIV can also get affected by Kaposi’s sarcoma which is a type of skin cancer. According to research, consuming turkey tail mushrooms and wild mushrooms from East Africa can be very beneficial for the treatment of this condition. These mushrooms are also useful for patients with AIDS/HIV but who don’t have skin cancer.

Other health benefits

Turkey tail mushrooms can also be very beneficial for those who have diabetes. This is because they can help lower the glucose levels in the body, therefore, reducing diabetes. The mushrooms can also lower the levels of cholesterol. That’s why it’s good to add them to your daily diet. Finally, turkey tail mushrooms can also improve the health of the bones. Studies show that these mushrooms can help regenerate the bone marrow.