Edible mushrooms have the ability to influence gut bacteria, with this study focusing on the prebiotic effects of digested mushroom powder (MUS) during colonic fermentation.
MUS contains phenolic compounds like epicatechin, gallic acid, and quercetin 3-glucoside, which were shown to enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing the presence of less helpful strains.
The study found that MUS boosts the production of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids, lowers pH levels, and contains essential amino acids, indicating its potential health benefits for human gut microbiota.