Mushrooms Might Help You Fight Off the Flu
February 24, 2025 | Source: Vice | by Sammi Caramela
Many of us know how horrific this year’s flu season has been. But thankfully, according to new research, there might be a simple treatment for this virus: fungi.
The discovery, published in the journal Nature Immunology, found that a component called beta-glucan—found in all fungi, as well as mushrooms, wheat, rye kelp, nori, oats, and barley—can help boost immunity.
What’s more, it can also create better disease tolerance and increase flu survival rates. This is because, according to the researchers, the flu often triggers an extreme immune response, which is typically what causes the more serious complications, including flu-related deaths.
Since it can fight pathogens while controlling the severity of the immune response, the researchers believe it might be a promising form of treatment.