Oyster Mushrooms for Blood Glucose Management

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) have recently gained attention as a promising natural remedy due to their potential therapeutic benefits in managing blood glucose levels, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Researchers have been actively investigating how consuming these mushrooms, whether fresh, powdered, or as supplements, affects glucose control in both diabetic and healthy populations, providing exciting insights into their potential health benefits.

    Khatun et al. provided cooked oyster mushrooms (150 g daily, divided into three 50 g portions) as a meal replacement for vegetables to hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired fasting glucose and dyslipidemia for 7 days. This treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose by an average of 22% and glucose levels 2 hours after breakfast by 23%. After one week without mushrooms, glucose levels increased again (fasting plasma glucose by 13%, post-breakfast glucose by 20%). Reintroducing mushrooms for another 7 days again decreased glucose levels (fasting plasma glucose by 23%, post-breakfast glucose by 16%) (1).

    In a similar study, Sayeed et al. gave women with medication-treated type 2 diabetes 200 g of oyster mushrooms daily instead of vegetables. Fasting glucose decreased by about 12% after 2 months and up to 20% after one year compared to the baseline. Post-meal glucose also reduced by approximately 14% after 2 months and about 28% after one year, while no changes were observed in the control group (2).

    Choudhury et al. conducted a study where men with medication-treated type 2 diabetes took capsules containing dried oyster mushroom powder (3 g daily, divided into three 1 g doses) for 3 months. After treatment, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c decreased by approximately 18% and 13%, respectively (3).

    Jayasuriya et al. tested lyophilized powdered oyster mushrooms (50 mg/kg body weight) in healthy people and individuals managing type 2 diabetes through diet alone. Healthy participants who consumed the mushroom suspension daily for 14 days had a 6% reduction in fasting glucose. No control treatment was used in that study (4).

    Further, Jayasuriya et al. examined glucose tolerance by administering an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after 14 days of daily mushroom intake compared to water intake. The plasma glucose level 2 hours after the OGTT was 16% lower with mushroom suspension intake compared to water, indicating both acute and chronic benefits (4).

    In the sub-study involving individuals with diabetes, a single dose of mushroom suspension taken 30 minutes before an OGTT reduced 2-hour glucose levels by approximately 15% and increased insulin levels by around 22%, compared to water intake. This study used a self-controlled design with a one-week washout period between treatments (4).

    Oyster mushrooms may help lower blood glucose levels through multiple biological mechanisms. One key mechanism is their rich content of dietary fiber and polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans, which slow carbohydrate digestion and absorption, thereby reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes. Additionally, oyster mushrooms contain bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which may enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake into cells. Research also suggests these mushrooms might stimulate insulin secretion or improve pancreatic β-cell function, further aiding in glucose regulation. Overall, these combined actions support the beneficial role of oyster mushrooms in managing blood glucose levels, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

References:

1.     Khatun K, Mahtab H, Khanam PA, Sayeed MA, Khan KA. Oyster mushroom reduced blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic subjects. Mymensingh Med J. 2007 Jan;16(1):94-9. doi: 10.3329/mmj.v16i1.261. PMID: 17344789.

2.     Sayeed M.A., Banu A., Khatun K., Khanam P.A., Begum T., Mahtab H., Haq J.A. Effect of edible mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on type-2 diabetics. Ibrahim. Med. Coll. J. 2014;8:6–11. doi: 10.3329/imcj.v8i1.22982.

3.     Choudhury M.B.K., Rahman T., Kakon A.J., Hoque N., Akhtaruzzaman M., Begum M.M., Choudhuri M.S.K., Hossain M.S. Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on blood pressure and glycemic status of hypertensive diabetic male volunteers. Bangladesh J. Med. Biochem. 2013;6:5–10. doi: 10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13280.

4.     Jayasuriya WJ, Wanigatunge CA, Fernando GH, Abeytunga DT, Suresh TS. Hypoglycaemic activity of culinary Pleurotus ostreatus and P. cystidiosus mushrooms in healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients on diet control and the possible mechanisms of action. Phytother Res. 2015 Feb;29(2):303-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5255. Epub 2014 Nov 8. PMID: 25382404.

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