Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized dietary trial
PubMed 25866155 · doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.950391
What was done
Fifty-two healthy males and females aged 21–41 years participated in a 4-week parallel-group trial consuming either 5 g or 10 g of whole, dried Lentinula edodes (shiitake) mushrooms daily. Fasting blood, saliva, and serum were collected before and after the intervention. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in autologous serum for 24 hours or 6 days to measure γδ-T and natural killer T (NK-T) cell proliferation and activation receptor expression using flow cytometry. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and secreted cytokine profiles were also measured.
What was found
Four weeks of mushroom consumption increased ex vivo proliferation of γδ-T cells by 60% (p < 0.0001) and NK-T cells by 2-fold (p < 0.0001), with increased expression of activation receptors on both cell types. Salivary sIgA increased and serum CRP decreased (exact numerical values not reported). Secreted cytokine patterns changed significantly: IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-1α increased, MIP-1α/CCL3 decreased, while IL-6, IL-1β, MIP-1β, IL-17, and IFN-γ showed no significant change. Dose-dependent differences between the 5 g and 10 g groups were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This trial provides human experimental evidence that regular consumption of whole shiitake mushrooms can enhance ex vivo immune cell responsiveness and reduce baseline inflammatory markers in healthy young adults.
Limits
The study sample was small (n = 52) and restricted to young, healthy participants, limiting generalizability. There was no inactive placebo or untreated control group reported in the abstract. Clinical endpoints, such as infection rates or immune challenge responses, were not assessed, and absolute baseline and post-intervention biomarker values were omitted.
Cited by
- supports Shiitake and other mushrooms build up white blood cells.