Is There Mushroom for Me?

Foundational Texts on Fungi and Human Evolution

Stamets, P. (2005). Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Ten Speed Press.
Explores the ecological significance of fungi and their symbiotic relationships with plants and animals.

Sheldrake, M. (2020). Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures. Random House.
Examines the role of fungi in shaping ecosystems and their interactions with human biology.

Simard, S. W., Perry, D. A., Jones, M. D., et al. (1997). “Net transfer of carbon between ectomycorrhizal tree species in the field.” Nature, 388(6642), 579–582.
Seminal work demonstrating the ‘Wood Wide Web’, highlighting the communication and resource-sharing capabilities of mycorrhizal fungi, which facilitate carbon transfer, enhance ecosystem resilience, and promote symbiotic relationships between trees.

Ungar, P. S. (2012). Evolution of the Human Diet: The Known, the Unknown, and the Unknowable. Oxford University Press.
Discusses how ancestral humans may have interacted with fungi as part of their diet and ecological context.

Fungi as Decomposers and Ecosystem Engineers

Hättenschwiler, S., Tiunov, A. V., & Scheu, S. (2005). “Biodiversity and litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems.” Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 36, 191–218.
Highlights the critical role of fungi in decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, demonstrating how fungal biodiversity enhances organic matter breakdown, soil fertility, and overall ecosystem stability.

van der Heijden, M. G. A., Bardgett, R. D., & van Straalen, N. M. (2008). “The unseen majority: Soil microbes as drivers of plant diversity and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems.” Ecology Letters, 11(3), 296–310.
Explores the interdependence between soil microbes, including fungi, and plant ecosystems, highlighting their role in nutrient cycling, plant diversity, and ecosystem productivity through symbiotic relationships and soil health regulation.

Berendsen, R. L., Pieterse, C. M. J., & Bakker, P. A. H. M. (2012). “The rhizosphere microbiome and plant health.” Trends in Plant Science, 17(8), 478–486.
Examines the role of microbial communities, including mycorrhizal fungi, in enhancing plant resilience and health by improving nutrient uptake, strengthening immune responses, and protecting against soilborne pathogens.

Nutritional Contributions of Mushrooms

Valverde, M. E., Hernández-Pérez, T., Paredes-López, O., et al. (2015). “Edible mushrooms: Improving human health and promoting quality life.” International Journal of Microbiology, 2015, 376387.
Highlights the rich nutritional profile of mushrooms, emphasising their fibre, protein, and micronutrient content, as well as their potential health benefits, including immune support and antioxidant properties.

Kalac, P. (2016). “Chemical composition and nutritional value of European species of wild-growing mushrooms.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 45, 9–16.
Discusses the bioavailability of nutrients in mushrooms, highlighting their rich content of proteins, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, as well as their potential health benefits, including antioxidant properties and immune support.

Chang, S. T. & Miles, P. G. (2004). Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact. CRC Press.
Comprehensive overview of mushrooms as a nutrient source and their medicinal properties.

Wasser, S. P. (2002). “Medicinal mushrooms as a source of antitumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides.” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 60(3), 258–274.
Discusses the health benefits of beta-glucans in mushrooms, highlighting their immune-modulating properties, potential antitumor effects, and role in supporting overall immune system function.

Wasser, S. P. (2014). “Medicinal mushroom science: History, current status, future trends, and unsolved problems.” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 16(1), 1–16.
Explores mushrooms’ potential as functional foods, highlighting their immune-supportive and antioxidant properties, as well as their historical use in traditional medicine and emerging applications in modern health science.

Evolutionary and Ecological Context of Fungi

Margulis, L. & Sagan, D. (2007). Acquiring Genomes: A Theory of the Origins of Species. Basic Books
Discusses symbiotic relationships, including the role of fungi in evolutionary biology.

Deacon, J. W. (2006). Fungal Biology. Blackwell Publishing.
Foundational text on fungal biology, exploring their ecological and evolutionary significance.

Watling, R. (2005). Fungi: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Explores the role of fungi in evolutionary history, their symbiotic relationships with plants and animals, and their impact on ecosystems.

Smith, S. E. & Read, D. J. (2008). Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press.
A definitive text on the mutualistic relationships between fungi and plants, emphasising their ecological importance.

Mushrooms and Cognitive Health

Kidd, P. M. (2000). “Neuroprotective nutrients and phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s disease.” Journal of Nutritional Environmental Medicine, 10(1), 25–40.
Discusses compounds such as ergothioneine and polysaccharides in mushrooms, highlighting their potential role in supporting neurogenesis and protecting against cognitive decline through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Pham-Huy, L. A., He, H., Pham-Huy, C., et al. (2008). “Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health.” International Journal of Biomedical Science, 4(2), 89–96.
Highlights the role of mushroom-derived antioxidants in reducing oxidative stress, supporting cognitive function, and contributing to neuroprotection through their free radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Wasser, S. P., & Weis, A. L. (1999). “Therapeutic effects of substances occurring in higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms: A modern perspective.” Critical Reviews in Immunology, 19(1), 65–96.
Reviews the neuroprotective and immune-regulating properties of mushrooms, highlighting their bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and antioxidants, that support cognitive function and enhance immune response.