7 Benefits Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms And Possible Side Effects

Turkey tail mushrooms are known for their mild earthy taste. The benefits of turkey tail mushrooms are many. These, like most other mushrooms, are edible fungi that humans have been eating for centuries. Other varieties such as shitake, button, cremini, and oyster are also widely used in culinary preparations worldwide. Not only do turkey tail mushrooms taste great, but they also add a nice texture and mouthfeel to your food. More importantly, they also offer critical health benefits.

Here, we discuss the turkey tail mushroom, its various advantages, ways of including it in your diet, and its potential side effects. Keep reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Turkey Tail Mushroom

What Is It?
A disc-shaped, velvety fungus that resembles a turkey’s tail and is often found on rotting tree barks or fallen logs.

What Are Its Benefits?
It helps improve gut health, boosts immunity, and reduces inflammation.

Who Can Consume It?
Anybody can consume this except people with a mushroom allergy and those on diabetes or anticancer medications.

How Often?
You can eat up to 2 grams daily.

Caution
Overconsumption may cause nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting.

What Is A Turkey Tail Mushroom?

Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that is otherwise known as Tramates versicolor or Coriolus versicolor or Polyporous versicolor. It is generally found growing on tree trunks. It has a disk-like appearance and a color similar to that of a turkey’s tail.

Turkey tail mushrooms are widely used in traditional, natural medicine to treat several diseases and infections. It is only recently that researchers have started investigating some of its more potent health benefits (1).

Trivia

Turkey tail mushroom has lookalikes. It is most commonly confused with an inedible mushroom called false turkey tail due to their similarities in appearance. It also resembles another inedible mushroom called multicolor gill polypore.

Potential Health Benefits Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

1. Are Rich In Antioxidants

Turkey tail mushrooms are rich in antioxidants like phenols and flavonoids that help reduce inflammation and improve your immune system (2). They also contain quercetin, an antioxidant known to improve mental health, reduce the risk of infections, and improve physical performance (3). Studies suggest that consuming antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease (4).

2. Help Boost Immunity

Krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptides (PSP) are the immunity boosters found in these mushrooms. PSPs help activate immunity-boosting cells and PSK is known to possess immunomodulatoryⁱ  XA group of drugs that can modulate the immune system's response by increasing or decreasing the production of antibodies. properties (5).

Studies suggest that PSPs might promote the growth of monocytes (a type of white blood cell). Monocytes help fight harmful infections and improve immunity (6).

Turkey tail mushrooms may also help improve immune function in people with specific cancers and tumors. A study revealed that the PSK in turkey tail mushrooms may inhibit and suppress the growth of colon cancer cells (7). However, further research is required to prove its effectiveness in this regard.

In another mice study, regular treatment with turkey tail extracts was found to inhibit tumor growth and improve the chances of survival (8). Further studies are needed to test the mushroom’s effectiveness on humans.

Also, mushrooms generally have a special compound called beta-glucans. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate the immune response in the host against other fungal, viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections (9).

3. May Improve The Efficacy Of Certain Cancer Treatments

The PSK and PSP in turkey tail mushrooms, when supplemented with traditional cancer treatments, may help improve their efficacy (10), (11), (12).

In a study, patients with breast, colorectal, or gastric cancers experienced a 9% reduction in 5-year mortality when treated with turkey tail mushroom extracts combined with traditional treatment. Mortality reduction was higher in those also treated with turkey tail mushroom extracts than those treated with stand-alone chemotherapy (10).

In another study on gastric cancer patients, those treated with chemotherapy along with PSKs lived longer than those treated with chemotherapy alone (13).

Orally administered turkey tail mushroom extracts might help improve immune response among women with breast cancer. In a study, women who were given 6 to 9 grams of turkey tail extracts along with radiation therapy showed an increase in lymphocyteⁱ  XA type of white blood cell which helps the body’s immune system fight against foreign viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. production (12).

4. May Improve Gut Health

Eating dried or fermented turkey tail mushrooms might improve your digestive health and promote the growth of good bacteria (1). Studies suggest that regularly consuming PSP extracts from turkey tail mushrooms may help modulate the composition of the human intestinal microbiome (14).

Turkey tail mushroom extracts might also modify your gut’s microbiome to promote prebiotics. This, in turn, may help reduce the risk of staph infection and gastroenteritisⁱ  XA condition in which there is inflammation in the lining of the stomach and intestine which causes diarrhea and vomiting. . It might also help decrease your gut pH levels and increase the concentration of organic acids that improve gut health (15).

5. May Help Combat Human Papillomavirus

Turkey mushroom extracts may help combat STDs like HPV. In a study, applying a gel containing turkey mushroom extracts was found to heal vaginal lesionsⁱ  XAn abnormal skin change on tissues inside or outside the body, which may or may not be cancerous. caused by HPV (16).

Another study suggests that combining turkey mushroom extracts with extracts of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) might be effective in treating HPV (17). However, more research is warranted in this regard.

6. May Improve Athletic Performance

Mice fed with turkey tail mushroom extracts exhibited better physical performance in comparison to mice not fed with the extract. In addition, mice fed with the extract had lower blood sugar levels post-exercise (18). However, further research is required to determine these effects in humans.

It is only recently that the health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms are being studied. With time, further medical and health benefits of these mushrooms will be discovered. Let us now understand how you can add these mushrooms to your diet.

7. May Improve Heart Health

Turkey tail mushrooms may help boost heart health. Studies show that turkey tail mushrooms may lower cholesterol levels and improve blood flow. They may also increase the amount of good HDL cholesterol while decreasing bad LDL cholesterol (19).

Aside from these benefits, their extract contains anti-inflammatory agents that may also help treat arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (20). Research shows that turkey tail mushrooms are effective in treating liver disorders. They may help remove toxins from the liver and promote its regeneration (21).

These are the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms. But in what form are they available for consumption? The next section provides the answer to that.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Supplements

Turkey tail mushroom supplements are available in powder, tincture, and capsule forms. Some supplements contain whole mushrooms, including root and fruit bodies, whereas others contain extracts of some beneficial compounds from mushrooms.

Marvin McKenzie, a self-published Amazon Author, shared his experience of taking turkey tail mushroom supplements for diabetes. He said, “I will say that I saw a drop in my fasting blood sugar levels almost immediately. That was followed by much greater blood glucose consistency.(i).” He further mentioned that when he ran out of these supplements, he saw a rise in his fasting blood sugar.

Wondering how much you can intake to enjoy the benefits offered by these mushrooms? Scroll down to find out.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Dosage

There is no standard guideline for the dosage of turkey tail mushrooms. It may vary depending on the extracts and supplements used. However, research indicates that the recommended dosage of Turkey tail mushroom as part of a cancer treatment was 3 grams per day (22).

In the next section, let us look at the different ways you can include them in your diet.

How To Add Turkey Tail Mushrooms To Your Diet

Turkey tail mushrooms can be added to your diet in various ways. One popular way of consuming it is by making tea. You will need the following ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of dehydrated turkey mushroom
• 5 cups of water
• Sugar or honey for flavoring

The Process

• Boil 5 cups of water along with the dehydrated mushrooms. Continue boiling until it is reduced to half.
• Pour this liquid into a cup using a strainer.
• Add sugar or honey and enjoy your tea.

If dehydrated mushrooms are not available, you can use turkey tail mushroom powder instead. You can procure it from an online retailer or specialized organic stores.

You can also add this powder to your smoothies and milkshakes.

Quick Tip

For more savory options, sprinkle turkey tail mushroom powder over burritos, mixed salads, wraps, broths, and curries. The combination of different textures and flavors in these food items mask the slight bitterness of the mushroom and yet get enriched with its earthy flavor.

Possible Side Effects Of Eating Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe to consume. However, avoid them if you are generally allergic to mushrooms. Some of the other side effects include nauseaⁱ  XAn uncomfortable feeling in the stomach which causes an urge to vomit but does not lead to vomiting. , heartburn, and diarrhea. Some people may also notice pigmentation of their fingernails (23). If you have any pre-existing medical condition, it is advisable to consult your doctor before adding turkey tail mushrooms to your diet.

Infographic: Top 4 Health Benefits Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

The turkey tail mushroom is named after its distinct appearance that mimics turkey tail plumage. It has a mild earthy flavor and is better favored for its many health benefits. In the infographic below, we have listed the most important benefits of this mushroom. Take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Turkey tail mushroom help with weight loss?

It may help. Turkey tail mushrooms contain probiotics that may promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Turkey tail mushroom benefits your digestion and improves leaky gut syndrome, which may also be helpful with weight loss. However, research is limited in this regard.

How long do the Turkey tail mushrooms take to work?

It may take six to eight hours to experience their effects and benefits.

Do Turkey tail mushrooms give you energy?

Yes. Turkey tail mushrooms can help improve energy levels by reprogramming energy metabolism (21).

Can you take Lion’s mane and Turkey tail mushrooms together?

Yes. Lion’s mane and Turkey tail mushrooms can be taken together.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the amazing health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms. Check out the video below to learn why you should include this delicious ingredient in your diet.

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Reda ElmardiRDN

   

Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. He has more than 10 years of experience and has been an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Trainer since 2015. He shares sports nutrition tips and gives guidance on exercises, sports, and martial arts through his website. Reda is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt,...more

Varsha PatnaikHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Varsha holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, and is a certified diet and nutrition coach with two years of experience. She combines her scientific knowledge and her passion for writing to produce research-backed content in the health and wellness domain. Her writing focuses on the health and nutritional benefits of various ingredients and diets and how...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science. This formidable combination equips her with the knowledge to write research-backed health and wellness articles. She has also published a research...more