Why is it impossible to accurately compare mushroom extracts to dried fruiting bodies?

When it comes to mushrooms and their use for health, the question arises: how much stronger are extracts compared to dried fruiting bodies? Some manufacturers or users claim that 1 gram of extract is equivalent to a specific amount of dried mushrooms, such as 10:1. However, this comparison is overly simplified and may even be misleading. In this article, we will explore why.

Natural variability in mushroom composition

Fruiting bodies of mushrooms are a complex natural product, whose chemical composition depends on many factors:

  • Growing conditions. Mushrooms grown under different conditions can contain vastly different amounts of active compounds. For example, fruiting bodies collected in the wild often differ in composition from those cultivated on farms.

  • Harvesting time. Young and mature mushrooms may have different levels of beneficial compounds. During active growth, mushrooms accumulate various substances, making the timing of harvest critical.

  • Differences between species. Even mushrooms of the same species can have varying concentrations of active compounds depending on genetic traits and growing conditions.

Because of this, the same amount of dried mushrooms may contain completely different amounts of beneficial substances.

How are extracts made?

Extracts are produced to maximize the benefits derived from mushrooms. During the manufacturing process, laboratories identify and standardize the amount of active compounds, such as:

  • Beta-glucans (for immune support),
  • Triterpenes (for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects),
  • Erinacines (for nervous system support),
  • Polysaccharides (for overall immune stimulation).

The standardization process ensures a consistent concentration of active compounds in every batch of extract. This is the main reason why extracts are more effective: you know exactly what you are getting.

Why is it impossible to accurately compare extracts to dried mushrooms?

  1. Variable composition of fruiting bodies.
    Ten grams of dried mushrooms can contain varying amounts of beta-glucans depending on growing and harvesting conditions. For instance, mushrooms grown under favorable conditions may have 3% beta-glucans, while those grown under less favorable conditions may have only 1%.

  2. Concentration of active compounds in extracts.
    Extracts are created to concentrate only the compounds that provide therapeutic benefits. For example, a 10:1 extract means that 10 kg of mushrooms were used to produce 1 kg of extract. However, this does not mean that all active compounds from 10 kg are present in the extract—only the extractable compounds are retained, while non-essential components are removed.

  3. No universal formula.
    It is impossible to create a universal formula to determine how many active compounds are present in a certain amount of dried mushrooms. Each batch of mushrooms has its unique composition. Therefore, the comparison of "dried mushrooms vs. extract" will always remain conditional.

Why is it important to use extracts?

  • Standardized composition. High-quality extracts always indicate the exact content of active compounds, such as 30% polysaccharides or 10% triterpenes. This allows precise dosage calculations.

  • Better bioavailability. The body absorbs active compounds from extracts more efficiently than from dried mushrooms, as extracts do not contain indigestible fiber, which hinders absorption.

  • Effectiveness. Extracts provide a stronger therapeutic effect due to the concentration of active compounds.

Conclusion

Comparing extracts to dried fruiting bodies of mushrooms is like comparing concentrated juice to a whole fruit. You cannot precisely determine how many beneficial compounds are in a specific amount of dried mushrooms, but in extracts, their content is always standardized.

When choosing between dried mushrooms and extracts, it is important to understand that extracts provide a consistent concentration of active compounds, verified in the laboratory, while dried mushrooms have a variable and less predictable composition. If your goal is to maximize health benefits, extracts are a significantly better choice.

Our store offers a wide range of unique medicinal mushroom extracts. Consume responsibly and stay healthy!

For each client individually, we draw up instructions according to his indicators and requests

Monthly course:

How to get discounts

Other articles on the topic:

Contact us: