Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries in Siberia and other parts of Asia as a medicine to boost immunity and improve overall health (Source).
Though ugly in appearance, the chaga mushroom is gaining popularity in the Western world for its potential health benefits.
Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:
B-complex vitamins
vitamin D
potassium
rubidium
cesium
amino acids
fiber
copper
selenium
zinc
iron
manganese
magnesium
calcium
What Are Chaga Mushrooms?
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a type of fungus that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chaga is also known by other names, such as black mass, clinker polypore, birch canker polypore, cinder conk and the sterile conk trunk rot (of birch).
Chaga produces a woody growth, or conk, which looks similar to a clump of burnt charcoal — roughly 10–15 inches (25–38 centimeters) in size. However, the inside reveals a soft core with an orange color.
For centuries, chaga has been used as a traditional medicine in Russia and other Northern European countries, mainly to boost immunity and overall health.
It has also been used to treat diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease (Source)
Nowadays, it’s not only available as a tea but also as a powdered or capsuled supplement. The tea may feature chaga alone or in combination with other mushrooms, such as cordyceps.
Taking chaga with either warm or cold water is believed to release its medicinal properties.
Keep in mind that reliable information on chaga’s nutritional content is extremely limited.
That said, they’re low in calories, very high in fiber and loaded with antioxidants (source)
Potential Health Benefits
Boosts Your Immune System and Fights Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of your immune system that can protect against disease. However, long-term inflammation is linked to conditions like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis (source)
Animal and test-tube studies suggest that chaga extract can positively impact immunity by reducing long-term inflammation and fighting harmful bacteria and viruses.
By promoting the formation of beneficial cytokines — specialized proteins that regulate the immune system — chaga stimulates white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off harmful bacteria or viruses (Source 1, Source 2)
As a result, this mushroom could help fight infections — from minor colds to serious illnesses.
Additionally, other animal and test-tube studies demonstrate that chaga can prevent the production of harmful cytokines, which trigger inflammation and are associated with disease (Source 1, Source 2)
Prevents and Fights Cancer
Several animal and test-tube studies show that chaga can prevent and slow cancer growth (Source)
In a study in mice with cancer, chaga supplements resulted in a 60% reduction in tumor size (Source)
In a test-tube study, chaga extract prevented the growth of cancer in human liver cells. Similar results were observed with cancer cells of the lung, breast, prostate and colon (Source 1,Source 2, Source 3, Source 4)
It’s thought that the anticancer effect of chaga is partly due to its high content of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage by free radicals (Source)
In particular, chaga contains the antioxidant triterpene. Test-tube studies reveal that very concentrated triterpene extract can help kill cancer cells (Source)
Lowers Blood Sugar
Several animal studies link chaga to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it may help manage diabetes (Source 1,Source 2)
A recent study in obese, diabetic mice observed that chaga extract reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance compared to diabetic mice who did not receive the supplement (Source)
In another study in diabetic mice, chaga supplements led to a 31% decrease in blood sugar levels over three weeks (Source)
Lowers Cholesterol
Chaga extract may also benefit cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease.
In an eight-week study in rats with high cholesterol, chaga extract reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels (source)
Similar studies gave the same results and observed that — in addition to reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol — chaga increases “good” HDL cholesterol (Study 1,Study 2)
Researchers believe that the antioxidants present in chaga are responsible for its effects on cholesterol.
Slowing the aging process
Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.
In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.
Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.
Full of Antioxidants
There are not many superfoods as potent in antioxidants as Chaga. The sclerotium of Chaga contains incredible amounts of the natural black pigment known as melanin which has high antioxidant levels due to the amount of polyphenols it contains. In fact, Chaga has the highest ORAC score
Safety and Side Effects
Chaga contains a protein that can prevent blood clotting. Therefore, if you are on blood-thinning medications, have a bleeding disorder or are preparing for surgery, consult with your doctor before taking chaga (Source)
Though some research shows that chaga may help reduce inflammation, it may also cause your immune system to become more active. Thus, people with autoimmune diseases should seek medical advice before taking chaga.
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