Beta-Glucans. The Immune & Gut Guardians Hiding in Mushrooms

If you strip functional mushrooms back to their most powerful core, you’ll almost always find one compound family at the centre = beta-glucans. These naturally-occurring polysaccharides are one of the key reasons mushrooms have been used for immunity for thousands of years and now modern science is finally catching up.

What are beta-glucans?

Beta-glucans are long chains of glucose molecules found in the cell walls of fungi, oats and some grains. Fungal beta-glucans (like those from Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Maitake) have a specific branching structure (β-1,3/1,6) that seems to “plug into” receptors on immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and NK cells. 

Think of them as training signals. They don’t overstimulate your immune system, they help it respond more intelligently.

How beta-glucans support immune defence

Human and early clinical trials suggest that fungal beta-glucans can:

• Prime immune cells so they respond faster and more effectively to everyday challenges. 

• Reduce frequency, duration or severity of common colds in people prone to recurrent infections. 

• Support balanced inflammation, rather than chronic, low-grade inflammation that leaves you feeling run-down. 

• Reduce subjective fatigue, particularly in people under ongoing stress. 

For everyday life, that translates into fewer “wipe-out” weeks, better resilience through busy periods and a body that can bounce back.

The gut connection. beta-glucans as prebiotic fibres

Beta-glucans also behave like prebiotic fibres. They reach the large intestine largely undigested, where they’re fermented by beneficial bacteria. Reviews suggest this can:

• Increase short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate), which help maintain a healthy gut lining.

• Support a more diverse, resilient microbiome.

• Indirectly influence immune function, mood and metabolism via the gut–immune–brain axis. 

When you talk about immunity today, you’re really talking about gut health. Beta-glucans sit right at that intersection.

Where you’ll find beta-glucans in Flow Brew

We’ve deliberately built high beta-glucan mushrooms into every daily ritual:

• Focus+ blend = Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Chaga bring brain-supporting and immune-modulating beta-glucans into your morning ritual.

• Protect blend and Thrive greens = multi-mushroom combinations (Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Chaga and more) provide a broad beta-glucan profile alongside antioxidant greens.

Because we use concentrated fruiting-body extracts and carefully standardise our recipes, you’re not guessing, you’re getting meaningful beta-glucan support in every scoop.

Why compounds matter more than trends

Lots of brands talk about mushrooms, fewer talk about the specific molecules that do the heavy lifting.

By centring beta-glucans in your daily ritual, you’re not just “taking mushrooms” – you’re feeding your immune system and microbiome the signals they recognise, in doses designed to be felt over weeks and months, not minutes.

That’s the difference between a fad ingredient and a long-term, science-backed ritual.