Does Research Back Claims about Turkey Tail Benefits?
There is a lot of great research on turkey tail mushrooms that we have been following but we also recently came across this great review paper that nicely summarizes some of the benefits of turkey tail that are backed by research. This review – A comprehensive review on the health benefits, phytochemicals, and enzymatic constituents for potential therapeutic and industrial applications of Turkey tail mushrooms – helped to summarize just how promising turkey tail mushroom is for treating many illnesses. Here is a really brief review of what the paper showed us:
Or, if you prefer, we made a nice review of the benefits of turkey tail here:
Summary of Turkey Tail Research
Regulation of the immune system
Turkey tail mushrooms can improve immune responses and even have antitumor activity against cancers like breast, lung, gastric, and colorectal cancer. Key compounds that were tested like polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptides (PSP) promote immune response by activating specific immune cells and reducing inflammation.
Antimicrobial Properties
Like a few other functional mushrooms, turkey tail exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. They have shown to be effective against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, and even help fight viruses like HIV and HPV and show potential in helping th vody to defend against influenza and herpes.
Cancer Fighting Properties
Used as supplemental treatment alongside modern cancer treatment, the PSK and other components in turkey tail mushrooms can inhibit cancer cell growth and even help chemotherapy be more effective overall. They show promise in treating colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers by boosting the immune system.
Antioxidants!
Turkey tail mushrooms, like rosehips, are rich in polyphenolic compounds. These compounds reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. They improve immune function and are even being looked into for their potential in skincare products to mitigate oxidative damage.
Hepatoprotective Effects
PSK found in turkey tail exhibits protective effects against liver damage and cancer. Studies suggest that turkey tail extracts enhance antioxidant enzyme levels and support liver detoxification processes.
Cardiovascular Activities
Turkey tail is good for your heart too! These mushrooms have various cardiovascular benefits, including antiplatelet, analgesic, and antipyretic properties.
End Note
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used as traditional medicine for a long time and research is finally catching up! By reviewing all the research done so far on this mushroom we can see that it is an incredible mushroom with many benefits for general health as well as for preventing and combating serious diseases such as cancer.
If you want to read more about turkey tail check out this ultimate guide to turkey tail. Or if you’d like a few other functional mushrooms to add to your diet try watching this video for ideas.
