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Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Review
Four Sigmatic offers a selection of mushroom coffee blends as well as elixirs and mushroom protein powders.
The company’s products combine the stimulating effects of caffeine with health-promoting mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Chaga to deliver energy with health benefits. Furthermore, they use natural flavorings and sweeteners.
Turkey Tail
Turkey Tail Fungus (Trametes hirsuta) is an annual bracket fungus found on deciduous tree logs and stumps year-round, distinguished by a semicircular to spoon-shaped cap with leathery texture, semicircular or spoon shaped, leathery surface texture and distinct color zones. Underside covered by tiny pores instead of gills. Often white to brown in hue with zones of black-green, brown, tan, grey-blue. Easily distinguished from lookalike Hairy Bracket Fungus (Trametes hirsuta). Hairy Bracket Fungus has striped rings around its furrier surface surface compared to Turkey Tail.
Turkey Tail mushrooms have long been revered medicinally as well as decoratively. Utilized by traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen immunity, prevent viral infections and support digestive health, these mushrooms also serve as symbols of health and spiritual attunement within Chinese culture; commonly referred to as Yun Zhi.
Turkey tail contains unique polysaccharide compounds that have been shown to stimulate the immune system, leading to enhanced anti-inflammatory properties. PSP and PSK, two polysaccharide peptides found in turkey tail, have been demonstrated to activate and promote both natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages – two powerful immune activators.
Turkey tail can also help reduce athletic fatigue. Researchers found that PSP-1b1 from turkey tail polysaccharides reduces blood lactate levels and improves exercise tolerance among mice, possibly due to PSP’s ability to boost production of anti-inflammatory proteins called cytokines.
Turkey Tail’s benefits can best be experienced when taken as a powder or capsule supplement. Use it alone or mix it with other mushrooms such as Chaga or Lion’s Mane for optimal use, whether alone or combined together in recipes such as soups and stews; add to smoothies for nutritional boost; or try it as part of our Mushroom Coffee blends! Also available as the zero-proof spirit of Calm for relaxing relief when life becomes hectic and hectic!
Chaga
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is one of the most captivating members of the fungal kingdom, famed for its blackened appearance protruding from Siberian birch trees and other frigid regions, yet also famed for its healing properties and reputation as one of nature’s powerful adaptogens known to assist immunity during colder months when immunity may become impaired.
Chaga is an excellent source of beta-glucans, proven to reduce cholesterol levels and blood sugar. Furthermore, it’s rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium phosphorus sulphur and zinc; in addition, its anti-inflammatory properties and cardiovascular system-protecting qualities help ensure it prevents high blood pressure while normalizing cholesterol levels.
Chaga is an excellent natural source of B vitamins, which have been scientifically shown to promote mental clarity and memory function, making it an excellent way to improve cognitive functioning and manage stress in difficult circumstances. Furthermore, its resilience-promoting qualities make it ideal for dealing with stressful situations with positive outlook.
Chaga is an effective antioxidant packed with essential nutrients like vitamins C and E, fatty acids, and polyphenols that have been scientifically shown to fight free radicals and slow the aging process. Studies also reveal that its constituents can help combat free radicals while slowing cellular degeneration. Furthermore, studies indicate chaga’s capacity for stimulating immunity by controlling production of cytokines which act as messenger proteins between cells to support white blood cell activity against bacteria, viruses, or any other potential threats to health.
Chaga can be found in numerous forms, from powder and capsules to mushroom coffee blends from brands like Four Sigmatic that combine its benefits with other medicinal mushrooms and adaptogens for an uplifting morning beverage.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body adapt to stress in natural ways while increasing energy and strengthening immunity. Like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and chaga, cordyceps has a distinct aroma found only at higher elevations – though cultivation or wild harvest may also be possible depending on where it grows.
Cordyceps extract contains polysaccharides that account for most of its bioactive properties, in addition to various nucleosides and bases. However, polysaccharides remain the key determinants of its biological activity – they play a significant role in anti-ageing benefits, immune modulation, blood pressure regulation, and improving heart health.
Studies have demonstrated that an ethanol extract of C. sinensis increases antioxidant enzyme activity such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase while decreasing monoamine oxidase activity to protect cells against damage. Additionally, it enhances macrophage cell phagocytosis while inhibiting human hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation. Furthermore, an adenosine derivative called cordycepin can even suppress arrhythmias by inhibiting calcium channels and decreasing Ca2+ concentration in heart cells – providing cell protection from damage.
Cordyceps also provides many other benefits to the body, including increased oxygen usage and exercise performance enhancement in endurance and strength-based exercises, supporting healthy libido in men and women, increasing lung capacity to aid asthma/respiratory related issues, as well as acting as an immunomodulator. Furthermore, cordyceps promotes cellular health by increasing expression of nitric oxide synthase while simultaneously attenuating production of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Fungus was used by Tibetan monks as an endurance booster during extended meditation and spiritual practices, considered a prized possession and considered a sign of wealth and status due to its scarcity and potency. Harvesting required searching the high Himalayan mountains during specific seasons. Growing from caterpillar bases, harvesting required cutting through their hard exterior surface before carefully peeling away their spores for collection.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the world’s most distinctive-looking mushrooms, resembling an intricate maze of tightly packed icicles or hedgehog spines. Since ancient times it has been used medicinally; packed with proteins, vitamins D and K as well as iron. Additionally it can help treat infections, lower blood sugar and heal wounds; it contains polysaccharides like beta glucan that have been shown to significantly enhance immune function.
Lion’s Mane has attracted the interest of researchers for its brain health benefits. Additionally, it’s widely recognized for improving digestive health, athletic performance and muscle recovery. Lion’s Mane contains hericins which support nerve growth while decreasing inflammation levels; furthermore it’s also an excellent source of beta-alanine which may promote cognitive functioning while alleviating stress and anxiety.
Studies have demonstrated its potent antioxidant effects against oxidative stress, one of the primary contributors to chronic diseases. Furthermore, studies indicate it may provide protection from neurodegeneration and aging; manage symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia; support nervous system health; as well as enhance neural regeneration while protecting against damage caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments.
Lion’s Mane boasts an impressive pharmaceutical profile and also has many culinary uses. It can be found as an ingredient in Asian stir fry dishes or used as a replacement for chicken in soups; furthermore it can also be cut up and sauteed or dehydrated to create delicious vegetarian alternatives to meat products.
Health-minded consumers are enthusiastically accepting of functional mushrooms and are keen to discover their potential impact on improving our quality of life. Unfortunately, however, many individuals express reservations regarding the safety of mushrooms that make them less attractive for certain groups; those living with autoimmune conditions should exercise caution when eating mushrooms as these could trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals and necessitate consulting their healthcare provider before adding mushrooms into their diets.