Most Potent Part Of The Mushroom: A Guide To the Different Parts and Their Unique Health Benefits

The vast kingdom of Fungi represent one of the most fascinating, yet underappreciated life forms on earth.

For example, did you know that humans are genetically more closely related to fungi than they are to plants?

What's more, researchers recently discovered that fungi and trees use electrical signals transmitted through their mycelial network to communicate with each other, known as the 'wood wide web'. Some bold scientists even claim they may have their own language!

Their anatomy is a massive part of what makes fungi so special. Unlike plants, which have roots, mushrooms grow from the mycelium. The mycelium is the same part of the mushroom they use to communicate. It's a web of thin mycelial threads that spreads underground and absorbs nutrients from the soil.

In addition to their fascinating anatomy, traditional medicine has used fungi for healing since the dawn of the first human civilisations, with some of the oldest examples dating back to 5000 years ago.

Modern scientific research is now catching up and beginning to unearth the secrets of the different parts of the organism and their frankly astounding array of health benefits.

From the caps, stem and mycelium, each part of a fungus contains unique, bioactive compounds. In this blog, we’ll explore all of these parts and the unique health benefits they offer. So whether you're health obsessed, a foodie, a nature lover or just curious, keep reading to discover the hidden secrets of this incredible kingdom of life.

What’s Above Ground? 

The mushrooms that you see growing above the ground are also known as fruiting bodies. Fruiting bodies are made up of caps, scales, gills, rings, stems, and volvas. The cap is the top part of the mushroom, the bit that looks a bit like a hat. Beneath the cap are the gills, which are thin, fleshy strips that produce the mushroom's spores.

The Mushroom Cap

The mushroom cap, which is also known as the pileus, is the top part of the mushroom that we see above ground. The cap of a mushroom is rich in beta-glucans, which are complex sugars that have been shown to support the immune system and may reduce inflammation. 

The Mushroom Stem

Connected to the mushroom cap is the stem, which is also known as the stipe. The stem of a mushroom is mostly made up of chitin, a type of tough, fibrous material that can be difficult to digest for some people. This is why it's generally advised to cook mushrooms before eating them, as it breaks down the chitinous cell walls, making them easier to digest.

In general, stems produce similar amounts of bioactive compounds to the caps, since they both comprise most of the mushroom fruiting body and are similar in structural, cellular and biochemical composition. 

The stem is located beneath the gills and connects the cap to the rest of the mushroom. Some mushrooms feature rings on the stem, typically located beneath the cap. A notable example is the famous Parasol mushroom.

Some mushrooms also have volvas at their base; these parts look like bulbs and are the cells left over from when the mushroom was still growing underground.

Mushrooms Caps vs Stems: What’s More Potent?

One of the most common questions people ask is whether a mushroom's cap or stem has more potency; in general, their ratios of nutritional contents and compounds are very similar. But recent research has shown that, at least for some species of mushroom, the caps may have an edge in potency over the stems. 

That being said, people who use mushrooms for their health benefits should not be too concerned about this, as the difference is marginal and really depends on the mushroom species. As long as you consume high quality fruiting bodies rather than mycelium on grain, which we discuss in this blog, you'll be getting the desired benefits.

Mushroom Gills

The gills are on the underside of the cap and produce spores. The mushroom gills are extremely delicate and are protected by a thick cap. The gills, similar to the cap, contain various compounds that can help support the immune system, including beta-glucans, antioxidants, and polysaccharides. 

What Are Mushroom Spores?

The spores are the reproductive cells of mushrooms. 

In that sense, they're similar to plant seeds, as they contain all the genetic information, or biological 'code', required to propagate the next generation of a fungus.

A mushroom can release billions of spores into the air, where they will eventually land in a suitable environment and germinate to grow into hyphae, which will mate and form dikaryotic mycelium.

Many species of mushrooms can only reproduce by releasing spores. Most of these same species are also rich in terpenes, bioactive compounds that give mushrooms their characteristic taste and smell. Terpenes are also responsible for many of the therapeutic properties of mushrooms.

However, researchers have found few, if any, active compounds in the spores themselves that can offer a therapeutic benefit. Companies commonly sell Reishi spore oil, despite the lack of evidence supporting the spores' efficacy. The production of tonnes of Reishi spores during the growing process makes it easy to understand why companies would create a supplement out of the spore - why let them go to waste when there's money to be made!

The best Reishi supplement you can buy is an extract made from the fruiting body (cap and stem), grown under perfect conditions. This means high altitude mountain water, clean air and optimal growing methods. This will produce the highest quality and most potent mushroom extract, which gives you the greatest therapeutic benefit.

In the Shroomex Red Reishi we have tested our sample at over 64% beta glucans, which is the highest concentration ever tested by Eurofins!

What's Below Ground

Mycelium is the part of the mushroom that grows below ground. This is where the fungus grows and multiplies. The mycelium anchors the mushroom to the soil and absorbs all the nutrients from the substrate. As we mentioned before, mycelium can also form a network of connections with other mycelia or tree roots, which allows them to communicate with each other.

The mycelium is made up of cells called hyphae, which are long, thin structures that branch out from the main body. A cell wall covers each hypha, strengthening the mycelium. The hyphae are also responsible for breaking down organic matter, which the mushroom then uses for food.

What Part of the Mushroom Makes the Best Supplement?

Most people taking mushroom supplements to improve their health have the option of using the mushroom's fruiting body or mycelium. To get the maximum amount of bioactive ingredients, the fruiting body will always be the best and most potent part of the mushroom.

The mushroom's fruiting body is far superior to mycelium extracts for one simple reason: it's much more potent. A lot of supplement brands use mycelium as a much cheaper alternative, even though it lacks the same amount of active ingredients. This is why it is crucial to have a third-party lab test the supplement for bioactive compounds, thereby verifying the quality of a specific extract.

While the fruiting body is better than mycelium as a supplement, mushrooms can't grow without it. Of the over 10,000 mushroom species, all fruiting bodies grow from mycelium, making it essential to our ecosystem. It's just not as therapeutically potent as the mushroom fruiting body.

Summary

The underground world of fungi is often hidden from view, but forms an integral and fascinating part of the world’s natural and beautiful ecosystem. Their spores are spread far and wide through the air and water and play a crucial role in plant growth and health, while the mushrooms that grow above ground provide food and shelter for many different species of animals.

Researchers are also studying the different mushroom parts, from stem, to cap to the mycelium, for their potential to treat a variety of ailments.

So next time you’re out on a hike or walk in nature, take a moment to look around for these amazing organisms and appreciate the role they play in our world. 

And finally, always make sure when you’re buying mushroom supplements, to select 100% fruiting body (the most potent part) and ensure there are published 3rd party lab test results to prove the potency. Read the label, and if you need any guidance or help, just reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!