You might be wondering what a Chaga mushroom is, maybe you’ve never heard of it before! Chaga mushrooms are fungi grown on birch trees that are rich in health benefits. The word “Chaga” comes from the Russian word for mushroom and they grow wild in places like northern Canada, America, and Siberia. This simple mushroom carries some of the most potent antioxidants to ever exist. Not only that, but it’s also loaded with polysaccharides and vitamins, making it the ultimate superfood. One of the easiest ways to enjoy these mushrooms is in tea form. Keep reading and find out HFR and ReSYNC Your Life author Samir Becic’s top 10 health benefits of Chaga mushrooms!
- Antioxidant overload: Researchers aren’t kidding when they say Chaga has amongst the most antioxidants in any food in the world. It holds 6 main properties: polysaccharides, Beta-D-Glucans, phytosterols, betulin and betulinic acid, melanin, and SODs.
- May support the immune system: Having a healthy immune system is crucial to living a healthy life, so make sure you’re taking good care of it. Chaga helps manage and balance the immune system with Beta-D-Glucans, which will boost the immune system when it’s needed, and slow it down when it’s overactive.
- Can help normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels: If you suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol, Chaga mushrooms may be your new best friend. Studies show that the chemical characterization and biological activity of extracts of Chaga mushroom were examined and showed high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
- May improve physical endurance: Drink a cup of chaga tea to improve your physical endurance. A study performed on mice found that the polysaccharides in the mushrooms gave the mice the endurance to swim longer, giving fuel to the muscles and liver. With this comes less fatigue and more energy!
- Combines well with other superfoods: We all know that avocados, quinoa, and goji berries are great for your health, but they get even better when combined with chaga mushrooms. Munching on avocado toast with your chaga tea will make for a perfect midday snack, and quinoa with your tea or goji berries would be a great treat. With a large number of vitamins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids all these foods offer, you’re going to be feeling good!
- Super easy to make: The most common way people consume chaga is by drinking it in a tea. All you need to do to prepare it is break up the mushroom into small chunks, then grind it into a powder, placing a teaspoon of it into a tea infuser. Let it sit in hot water for at least 5 minutes, and you’re good to go! You might want to add some honey for extra flavor.
- May help battle cancer: If you have cancer, chaga mushrooms can help aide your battle by boosting the immune system. Research has shown that chaga activates immune cells responsible for combating cancer initiation. Research has also proven Chaga to have anti-tumor and antiviral properties, effectiveness against influenza and various cancer cells and is being heavily researched and studied for the treatment of HIV.
- Low in fat: Chaga mushrooms are just about as healthy as mushrooms can get. In fact, the mushrooms themselves have literally no fat, sugars, or carbs. Not only that, but they are also very high in fiber (20 percent DV).
- Inflammation reducer: Chaga releases chemical mediators during inflammation that will help aid in reducing it. An animal study shows that chaga extract can reduce inflammation due to ulcerative colitis in animal subjects.
- Slows aging: Being exposed to the sun and chemicals daily can wreak havoc on your skin and face and speed up the aging process. Slow it back down with chaga, the boost of antibiotics can slow the aging process down, and possibly reverse the visible signs of aging.
