Mushrooms, long lauded for their culinary appeal, may hold the key to solving one of the world’s most pressing metabolic disorders
Common mushroom species such as white, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms may play a key role in managing insulin resistance (IR), a precursor to type 2 diabetes (T2DM), according to a new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells are unable to respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to diabetes, which currently affects approximately 830 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. As global health experts search for alternative and preventive treatments, edible mushrooms are emerging as a promising dietary solution.
The new study from Semmelweis University in Hungary highlights how mushrooms’ bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and essential vitamins, improve metabolic function. One of the key mechanisms involves the gut microbiota. Polysaccharides, the indigestible fibers found in mushrooms, act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These microbes, in turn, enhance nutrient absorption, strengthen the gut barrier, and reduce chronic inflammation, a key factor in insulin resistance.
“Recent studies have highlighted the significant impact of gut health on diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,” explains Zsuzsanna Németh, PhD, a biologist at the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology at Semmelweis University and lead author of the study. “By nurturing our gut bacteria through our diet, we can improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health.”
Beyond gut health
In addition to gut health, mushrooms can also affect insulin resistance by regulating glucose absorption, enhancing insulin signaling pathways, and optimizing lipid metabolism. Certain bioactive compounds help regulate enzymes responsible for glucose absorption, preventing blood sugar spikes. Other compounds support insulin secretion by pancreatic cells, helping to regulate blood sugar. Mushrooms can also improve the function of fat tissue and promote the release of anti-inflammatory adiponectin – a hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity.
“With the growing interest in non-drug approaches to prevent disease, this opens up exciting possibilities for the use of edible medicinal mushrooms as complementary medicine for diabetes management,” says Dr. Németh.
However, she advises that while mushrooms are promising, for people with diabetes, they should be included in a balanced diet and used under the supervision of a physician.
Related topics: