Fungal supplements show different signals across athletic outcomes
A review of athlete trials separates performance findings from blood-marker changes, while leaving the size of any benefit uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reported better endurance and aerobic capacity measures with Cordyceps sinensis, while Ganoderma lucidum mainly changed blood measurements. These are different kinds of results: changes in blood markers do not establish better recovery or performance. The abstract gives statistical significance without effect sizes, leaving the practical importance of the reported differences unclear.
The abstract omits trial duration, comparator details, effect sizes and adverse-event results, so its broad claim that supplements are safe and effective cannot be assessed here.
What researchers found
Endurance performance with Cordyceps sinensis
Pooled endurance performance favored the supplement; comparator treatments and assessment timing were not specified. The p-value does not describe the size of improvement.
What the abstract covers
Researchers gathered randomized trials of fungal supplements in athletes and pooled eligible studies. They examined endurance, aerobic capacity and blood measurements, so the review covered several distinct kinds of outcomes.
Blood markers need context
Ganoderma lucidum results concerned blood chemistry, blood-cell measurements and enzyme activity. The abstract also describes hemoglobin changes in subgroups, without reporting a recovery outcome that demonstrates faster recovery.
The original publication
Effects of fungal supplementation on endurance, immune function, and hematological profiles in adult athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Shu MY, Zhang XC, Zuo L et al.
Front Nutr · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41280379
- Record checked
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