Ingredient Blog - Chaga Mushrooms

Greetings, Nakee enthusiasts! Today, let's chat ingredients and dive into the deliciousness together, because knowing what's in you're eating is just as important to us as it is to you!

Nakee Butter's tagline is “spreads with benefits,” and that's more than just a grin-inducing pun. The ingredients of our Immunity butter really do provide a bevy of benefits, though even with that in mind, some people's eyebrows go up when they hear the word mushroom.

Don't let chaga make you chuffed, though, because unlike the mushrooms on pizza and such, it doesn't really have a flavor. In fact, mushrooms are steadily becoming a more popular part of the Western diet, being added to all kinds of foods and beverages – even hot chocolate. Plus this fungi is a fun guy, and brings plenty to the table!

Chaga mushrooms grow on birch trees, and at first glance resemble great hunks of charcoal. This somewhat off-putting appearance further belies its benefits. Chaga, which has been used medicinally in Europe and Russia for centuries, is proven to host a bevy of antioxidants, which help to bolster the immune system. 2 The prolific antioxidants also help to reduce inflammation, similar to the effects of many kinds of vegetables.

There is also evidence that increased antioxidant intake can help aid continued cognitive function. Antioxidants contribute to maintaining the structural integrity of brain cells and supporting efficient communication between neurons. This protective mechanism has been associated with enhanced cognitive performance, including improved memory and learning abilities. 

One of the most intriguing aspects of chaga and its associated antioxidants, however, is its potential ability to prevent cancer. This is done through the chaga mushroom's ability to combat free radicals, atoms with unpaired electrons that have ties to the development of cancerous tumors. Their instability can potentially be very damaging to the body; the antioxidants in chaga mushrooms are a potent counter to them. Sounds like a magic mushroom, but rest assured that our Immunity butter is not a psychedelic!

As the influence and popularity of chaga mushrooms expands worldwide, further studies will add to our knowledge of the effects and benefits of these strange-looking fungi. Of course, we'll be keeping an eye on the scientific literature and sharing the most up-to-date information when it becomes available. In the meantime, thanks for reading about maybe our strangest ingredient, and we hope you see now why it's also one of our favorites!