Dried Chinese Cordyceps 50g

Ingredients: Cordyceps militaris, grown on wheat (vegetarian), dried.

May help improve athletic performance

Cordyceps is thought to increase the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical needed to provide energy to muscles.

One study looked at 30 healthy older adults who exercised on a stationary bike. Participants took either 3 grams of cordyceps or a placebo daily for six weeks. Those taking cordyceps saw a 7 percent increase in VO2Max (a measure of the body’s response to exercise, reflecting endurance) while those taking a placebo did not (Source).

A similar study was conducted in 20 healthy older adults. It lasted 12 weeks. Subjects took either 1 gram of cordyceps or a placebo pill (Source). Researchers found no significant changes in VO2Max in either group, but participants who took cordyceps improved other exercise performance.

Another study looked at the effects of cordyceps on exercise performance in a group of younger adults (Source). After three weeks, participants who took cordyceps had an 11 percent increase in VO2Max compared to those who took a placebo.

Anti-aging benefits

Older adults have used cordyceps to reduce fatigue and increase energy and libido.

Several studies have found that cordyceps increases the number of antioxidants in aging mice, helping to improve their memory and sexual function (Source, source, source). Antioxidants fight cell damage and neutralize free radicals, which can contribute to aging and various diseases (Source, source, source). One study found that mice given cordyceps lived several months longer than those given a placebo (Source).

Possible anti-tumor effects

The potential ability of cordyceps to slow the growth of tumors has attracted interest in recent years. Researchers believe that the fungus may have anti-tumor effects.

In laboratory studies, cordyceps has been shown to inhibit the growth of many types of human cancer cells, including lung, colon, skin, and liver (Source, source, source). Studies in mice have shown that cordyceps has anti-tumor effects on lymphoma, melanoma, and lung cancer (Source, source, source, source).

Cordyceps has been shown to help combat leukopenia, a side effect of cancer treatment. This is a condition in which the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) decreases, which leads to a reduced body defenses and an increased risk of infections (Source).

Studies in mice have shown that cordyceps may help reduce complications associated with some cancer treatments.

But it’s important to note that the studies were conducted in labs or on animals, so the effects of cordyceps on leukopenia or tumor growth in humans are unknown.

May help manage type 2 diabetes

Cordyceps contains a special type of sugar that may help treat diabetes, a condition in which the body doesn’t produce or respond to insulin, which normally carries glucose into cells where it’s used for energy. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond to it properly, glucose can’t enter cells, so it stays in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems. So it’s important for people with diabetes to make sure their blood sugar levels are well-controlled. Interestingly, cordyceps may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of insulin.

Several studies in mice with diabetes have shown that cordyceps can lower blood sugar levels (Source, source, source). Some studies suggest that cordyceps may also protect against kidney disease, a common complication of diabetes.

Potential heart benefits

In China, cordyceps is used to treat arrhythmia (Source). One study found that cordyceps significantly reduced heart failure in rats with chronic kidney disease. This is attributed to cordyceps’ effects on adenosine, which protects the heart. (Source).

Cordyceps is also said to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Animal studies have shown that cordyceps reduces “bad” cholesterol (Source, source, source), which may increase the risk of heart disease.

Cordyceps has also been shown to reduce triglyceride levels in mice (Source). Elevated triglyceride levels are associated with a higher risk of heart disease (Source).

May help fight inflammation

Cordyceps is said to help fight inflammation in the body. Studies have shown that cordyceps inhibits specific proteins that increase inflammation in human cells (Source, source, source, source). Because of these potential effects, researchers believe that cordyceps may be a useful anti-inflammatory supplement or drug.