Turkey Tail Mushroom

Overview

Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) is a common medicinal mushroom found worldwide, recognized by its colorful, banded appearance resembling a turkey's tail. It is particularly rich in polysaccharides, including polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP), which have been extensively studied for their immune-modulating properties.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, turkey Tail supports gut microbiome diversity and may help modulate immune responses. It is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms for immune support and is commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement [1][2].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Turkey tail provides polysaccharopeptides studied for immune-modulating effects [1]
• Fungal beta-glucans modulate innate immune and gut-associated signalling [2]
• Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) is a common medicinal mushroom found worldwide, recognized by its colorful, banded appearance resembling a turkey's tail. [1]
• It is particularly rich in polysaccharides, including polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP), which have been extensively studied for their immune-modulating properties. [2]
• Turkey Tail supports gut microbiome diversity and may help modulate immune responses.
• It is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms for immune support and is commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement.

Food Context

Sourcing

• Store dried mushrooms in a cool, dry place away from light

Preparation

• Most commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement rather than whole mushroom
• Dried Turkey Tail can be simmered to make a tea
• Extracts may provide more concentrated polysaccharides
• The mushroom itself is tough and not typically consumed whole

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Core nutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Energy	33 kcal	—
Protein	2.2 g	—
Total fat	0.4 g	—
Carbohydrates	6.8 g	—
Fibre	3.1 g	—

Key micronutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Iron	0.7 mg	4.1%
Zinc	0.5 mg	4.5%
Magnesium	10.5 mg	2.5%
Selenium	0.4 µg	0.7%
Calcium	0.4 mg	0%
Potassium	375.9 mg	11.1%
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg	6.2%

Bioactive compounds

Values below are often from specialist compositional databases or literature, not the standard USDA panel. Asterisks (*) refer to source notes at the bottom of this section.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
ALA	671 mg	—

Note: Bioactive-compound values vary substantially by cultivar, species, cocoa or oil percentage, processing, and brand formulation. Show quantitative values only where a defensible source exists; otherwise prefer qualitative presence statements or ranges in source notes.

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central, Mushroom, beech, FDC ID 2003603, API, per 100 g edible portion, last checked 2026-03-14

Substances

Substances in this food: editorial (Overview / literature) plus analytical (nutrition table).

11 substances in this food

Beta-Glucans

Polysaccharides with immune-modulating properties found in mushrooms and other foods

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates with immune-modulating and gut microbiome supporting properties

Vitamin B3 (Niacin; Niacinamide)

NAD+ precursor; supports mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP production

Fe²⁺

Iron

Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)

Zn²⁺

Zinc

Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation

Mg²⁺

Magnesium

Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance

Se^2-

Selenium

Antioxidant enzyme cofactor (GPx); supports redox balance

Ca²⁺

Calcium

Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2

K⁺

Potassium

Electrolyte for nerve transmission, muscle function, and blood pressure regulation

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine → PLP)

PLP cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis; relies on brain PDXK activation

ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)

Essential omega-3 precursor; limited conversion to DHA/EPA

References

[1] Turkey tail provides polysaccharopeptides studied for immune-modulating effects. Starck et al. 2024. Mushrooms: a food-based solution to vitamin D deficiency to include in dietary guidelines

[2] Fungal beta-glucans modulate innate immune and gut-associated signalling. Lacasa et al. 2023. Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation with Multivitamins Attenuates Cognitive Impairments in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial