According to Gram Research analysis, scientists have developed better fermentation methods to grow reishi and cordyceps mushrooms with more powerful health compounds. Submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, and co-fermentation techniques can significantly increase the yield and diversity of bioactive compounds like polysaccharides and cordycepin. However, most evidence comes from lab tests rather than human studies, so real-world health benefits remain unproven. Newer techniques like two-stage temperature control and adding special growth-boosting chemicals show promise for creating even more potent medicinal mushroom products.
Scientists are finding new ways to grow two special medicinal mushrooms—reishi and cordyceps—that could make them more powerful and useful in foods. By changing how they ferment these mushrooms (a process similar to making yogurt or kombucha), researchers can create more of the healthy compounds inside them. This review looks at all the different fermentation methods being used and explains how these mushrooms might become better functional foods. However, scientists say we still need more human studies to prove these mushrooms actually work as well as lab tests suggest.
Key Statistics
A 2026 review in Letters in Applied Microbiology found that fermentation technology can significantly enhance the production of bioactive compounds in reishi and cordyceps mushrooms, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and cordycepin.
According to research reviewed by Gram, submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, and co-fermentation strategies each produce different types and amounts of medicinal compounds, with two-stage temperature control and elicitor supplementation showing particular promise for boosting bioactivity.
A 2026 systematic review highlighted that while fermentation methods improve mushroom compound production in laboratory settings, the gap between in vitro bioactivity data and human clinical validation remains a significant limitation in the field.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How different fermentation methods (ways of growing mushrooms using microbes) can increase the amount and power of healthy compounds in reishi and cordyceps mushrooms.
- Who participated: This is a review article, so researchers analyzed existing studies rather than conducting their own experiment with participants.
- Key finding: Different fermentation techniques—including submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, and co-fermentation—can significantly change the types and amounts of bioactive compounds produced by these medicinal mushrooms.
- What it means for you: Better fermentation methods could lead to more effective medicinal mushroom supplements and functional foods, but you should wait for human studies before expecting major health benefits. Current evidence is mostly from lab tests, not real people.
The Research Details
This is a review article, meaning researchers didn’t do their own experiment. Instead, they read and analyzed many existing studies about how to grow reishi and cordyceps mushrooms using fermentation. They organized their findings using a framework called “substrate-process-product,” which is a fancy way of saying they looked at what you feed the mushrooms, how you grow them, and what you get out of them.
The researchers examined three main fermentation methods: submerged fermentation (growing mushrooms in liquid), solid-state fermentation (growing them on solid material), and co-fermentation (growing multiple organisms together). They also looked at newer techniques like two-stage temperature control (changing temperature at different times), fed-batch operation (adding nutrients in stages), and using special chemicals to boost growth.
By reviewing all these studies together, the researchers could see patterns in which methods work best for producing the most powerful medicinal compounds.
Understanding fermentation is important because it’s like finding the best recipe for growing mushrooms. Just like baking bread at different temperatures produces different results, growing medicinal mushrooms under different conditions creates different amounts of healthy compounds. If scientists can figure out the perfect conditions, they can make these mushrooms more powerful and useful as medicine or food supplements.
This is a review article, which means it summarizes existing research rather than presenting new experimental data. The strength of this type of article depends on how thoroughly the researchers reviewed the literature and how carefully they evaluated the quality of studies they included. The authors acknowledge an important limitation: most current research shows these mushrooms work well in lab tests, but very few human studies have been done to confirm these benefits actually work in real people.
What the Results Show
The review found that fermentation methods significantly affect what compounds are produced in reishi and cordyceps mushrooms. Submerged fermentation (growing mushrooms in liquid) tends to produce high amounts of polysaccharides, which are long-chain sugars with potential health benefits. Solid-state fermentation (growing on solid material) can produce different types of compounds and sometimes creates more diverse bioactive substances.
The researchers also found that newer techniques like two-stage temperature control—where you change the temperature at different points during growth—can boost the production of specific healthy compounds. Adding special chemicals (called elicitors) to the growing medium can also trigger the mushrooms to produce more bioactive substances, similar to how stress can sometimes make plants produce more protective compounds.
Co-fermentation, where multiple organisms grow together, showed promise for creating new compound combinations that single-organism fermentation couldn’t produce. The review highlights that bidirectional solid-state fermentation on medicinal herb matrices (growing mushrooms on other medicinal plants) is an emerging technique that may create unique beneficial compounds.
The review also examined how fermentation outputs are being translated into actual food products. Researchers found that many companies are creating functional foods—like mushroom powders, extracts, and supplements—but the quality and consistency of these products varies widely. The authors note that some fermentation methods are better for creating stable, shelf-stable products than others. Additionally, the review found that artificial intelligence and advanced genetic techniques could help optimize fermentation in the future by allowing scientists to design better mushroom strains and control growing conditions more precisely.
This review builds on decades of research into medicinal mushrooms in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies established that reishi and cordyceps contain beneficial compounds, but this review focuses specifically on how modern fermentation technology can enhance these compounds. The authors note that while traditional methods of growing these mushrooms have been used for centuries, newer fermentation approaches are more efficient and can produce more consistent results. However, the review emphasizes that despite advances in fermentation technology, the field still lacks the rigorous human studies that would prove these mushrooms work as well as lab tests suggest.
The main limitation of this review is that it summarizes existing research rather than presenting new experimental data. The authors highlight a critical gap: most studies showing these mushrooms are beneficial were done in laboratory conditions or with animals, not with human participants. This means we don’t yet know if the compounds produced through fermentation actually provide health benefits when people consume them. Additionally, the review notes that different fermentation methods are used by different researchers, making it hard to compare results directly. Finally, many studies on fermentation are published in Chinese-language journals, which may not be included in all research databases, potentially creating an incomplete picture of the field.
The Bottom Line
Based on current research, fermentation technology shows promise for making medicinal mushroom products more potent and consistent. However, confidence in health benefits remains moderate because human studies are limited. If you’re interested in reishi or cordyceps supplements, look for products from reputable manufacturers that use standardized fermentation methods. Don’t expect dramatic health changes, and consider these as complementary to—not replacements for—conventional medical treatment. Consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you take medications.
This research matters most to supplement manufacturers, functional food companies, and researchers developing new health products. It’s also relevant to people interested in medicinal mushrooms who want to understand how modern production methods work. However, people with serious health conditions should not rely solely on these products without medical supervision. The research is less immediately relevant to people looking for proven medical treatments, since human studies are still limited.
If fermentation technology improvements lead to better products, you might notice subtle effects like improved energy or immune support within 2-4 weeks of consistent use, though individual results vary widely. More dramatic health benefits would require longer-term use (8-12 weeks or more) and would need to be confirmed by human clinical trials, which are still ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fermentation and how does it make medicinal mushrooms better?
Fermentation is a process where microorganisms break down and transform compounds in mushrooms, similar to how yogurt is made. Different fermentation methods—like growing mushrooms in liquid or on solid material—produce different amounts and types of healthy compounds, potentially making the mushrooms more potent and useful.
Are reishi and cordyceps mushrooms proven to work for health?
Lab studies show these mushrooms contain beneficial compounds, but human studies are limited. Most evidence comes from laboratory tests, not real people taking supplements. While promising, you shouldn’t expect proven health benefits yet without more human research.
How can fermentation technology improve mushroom supplements?
Scientists can optimize fermentation by controlling temperature in stages, adding growth-boosting chemicals, and growing multiple organisms together. These techniques increase the amount and variety of healthy compounds produced, potentially creating more effective supplements and functional foods.
Should I buy fermented mushroom supplements based on this research?
Fermented mushroom products may be higher quality than non-fermented versions, but human studies proving health benefits are still limited. If interested, choose reputable brands with standardized fermentation methods, start with recommended doses, and discuss with your doctor before use.
What’s the difference between submerged and solid-state fermentation?
Submerged fermentation grows mushrooms in liquid, typically producing high amounts of polysaccharides. Solid-state fermentation grows them on solid material and can create different compound types. Each method has advantages depending on which compounds you want to produce.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your daily mushroom supplement intake (dose and type) and rate your energy levels, sleep quality, and general wellness on a 1-10 scale each morning. Note any changes over 8-12 weeks to see if you personally notice benefits.
- If you decide to try a fermented mushroom supplement, set a daily reminder to take it at the same time each day (consistency matters for any potential benefits). Start with the manufacturer’s recommended dose and track how you feel in your app.
- Create a simple log tracking: supplement type and dose, energy level, sleep quality, immune health (how often you get sick), and any side effects. Review monthly to see if patterns emerge. Share results with your doctor if you notice significant changes.
This article summarizes a scientific review and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Medicinal mushroom supplements are not FDA-approved treatments for any disease. While fermentation may enhance mushroom compounds, human clinical evidence of health benefits remains limited. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or are pregnant or nursing. Do not use mushroom supplements as a replacement for conventional medical treatment.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
