Mushroom Extracts vs Dried Bodies: What's Stronger?
When it comes to mushrooms and their use for health, the question arises: how stronger the extracts are than dried fruiting bodies? Some manufacturers or users are trying to claim that 1 gram of extract is equivalent to a certain amount of dry mushrooms, for example, 10: 1.Leor actually this comparison is very simplified and can even be false. In this article we will understand why so.
Natural variability in the composition of mushrooms
Fruiting bodies of mushrooms are a complex natural product, the chemical composition of which depends on many factors:
The place of cultivation. Mushrooms grown in different conditions may contain a completely different amount of active substances. For example, fruiting bodies, collected in the wild, are often different in composition from those grown on farms.Collection time. Mushrooms and old mushrooms may have different content of useful compounds. In the period of active growth, mushrooms accumulate different substances, so the moment of collection is critical. The difference between species. Even mushrooms of one species may have different concentration of active substances depending on genetic features and conditions Because of this, the same amount of dry mushrooms can contain a completely different amount of useful substances.
How are extracts created?
Extracts are created to maximize the benefit of mushrooms. During the production of extract, the laboratory is determined and standardized by the amount of active substances such as:
Beta-glucan (for immune support),
Triterpenes (for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects),
Erinacin (to maintain the nervous system),
Polysaccharides (general immunostimulation).
The standardization process allows you to ensure a constant concentration of active substances in each batch of extract. This is the main reason why the extract is more effective: you know exactly what you get.
Why is it impossible to accurately compare the extract with dry mushrooms?
1. a variable composition of fruit bodies
In 10 grams of dried mushrooms, there may be different amounts of beta-gluten depending on the conditions of cultivation and collection. For example, in mushrooms grown under favorable conditions, It can be 3% of beta-glucin, while in the same mushrooms collected in adverse conditions-only 1%.
2. Concentration of active substances in extracts
Extracts are created with the aim of maximum concentration of precisely those substances that have a therapeutic effect. For example, an extract with a ratio of 10:1 means that 1 kg of extract was obtained from 10 kg of mushrooms. But this does not mean that all active substances from 10 kg got into the extract - Only those compounds that can be extracted are distinguished, while ballast substances are removed.
3. The universal formula
It is impossible to create a universal formula for determining how many active substances are in a certain amount of dried mushrooms. Each batch of mushrooms has its own unique composition. Therefore, the comparison "dried mushrooms vs. extract" will always be conditional.
Why is it important to use extracts?
Standardized composition. In quality extracts, the exact content of active substances is always indicated, for example, 30% polysaccharides or 10% triterpenes. This allows you to accurately calculate the dosage.
Better bioavailability. The body absorbs active substances better from extracts than from dry mushrooms, because extracts do not contain fiber, which complicates absorption.
Efficiency. Extracts provide a stronger therapeutic effect due to the concentration of active substances.
Conclusion
Comparing extracts and dried fruiting bodies of mushrooms is like comparing concentrated juice with a whole fruit. You can't say exactly how much useful substances are in a specific amount of dried mushrooms, but in an extract, this content is always standardized.
When choosing between dried mushrooms and extracts, it is important to understand: extracts provide the exact concentration of active substances tested in the laboratory, while dried mushrooms have a variable and less predictable composition. If your goal is to get the most health benefits, extracts are a much better choice.
You can also buy them in our store.
1.Flies Fruit
2.Amanita capsules
3.Amanita extract
4.Mushroom ground
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