Beta-glucans in mushrooms: what are they, and how do you read the label?
Short answer: Beta-glucans are long chains of glucose that make up a large part of mushroom cell walls. On a mushroom supplement label, a measured percentage of beta-glucans tells you more than a percentage of “polysaccharides,” because starch may also be included in polysaccharides. So check whether it says “beta-glucans,” how they were measured, and whether the product is made from the fruiting body.
Last updated: October 30, 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin
“Capsules or extract, what do you recommend?” That’s the question we get most often. A big part of the answer lies in one figure on the label: the percentage of beta-glucans.
That figure is clearly stated on our extracts of lion's mane, reishi, and chaga. Below, I explain what it means and how to read it.
What exactly are beta-glucans?
Beta-glucans are polysaccharides made up of glucose units with a so-called beta linkage. They are found in the cell walls of mushrooms, yeast, oats, and barley. In mushrooms, they are mainly beta-1,3/1,6-glucans, with a main chain and side branches, and this structure differs from that of oats.
Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules. Glucans are polysaccharides made up only of glucose. How the glucose units are linked determines whether they are called alpha- or beta-glucans.
Chitin is a sturdy fiber that forms the mushroom cell wall together with beta-glucans. Your body can barely digest chitin. That’s why mushrooms for supplements are often extracted, for example using hot water.
What is the difference between alpha-glucans, beta-glucans, and polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides is the umbrella term for all long sugar chains. Alpha-glucans, such as starch and glycogen, and beta-glucans, the cell wall polysaccharides in mushrooms, are both included. When evaluating a mushroom supplement, the beta-glucan content is the most useful figure, because grain starch can be included in “polysaccharides.”
| Term | What is it? | What does this mean for a mushroom supplement? |
|---|---|---|
| Polysaccharides | All long sugar chains combined | May include grain starch |
| Alpha-glucans | Including starch and glycogen | Often high in mycelium grown on grain |
| Beta-glucans | Mushroom cell wall polysaccharides | The most useful figure |
| Chitin | Indigestible cell wall fiber | Why extract instead of just grinding? |
Why aren’t “polysaccharides” on a label the same as beta-glucans?
A percentage of polysaccharides includes all long sugar chains, including starch. In mycelium grown on grain, the grain starch can make the polysaccharide content seem higher than the actual proportion of mushroom compounds. A measurement that determines beta-glucans separately, for example using an enzymatic method that distinguishes alpha- and beta-glucans, gives a more accurate picture (McCleary and Draga, 2016).
With mycelium grown on grain, the growing medium is dried and ground along with it. Read our article on fruiting body vs. mycelium to learn why that matters.
How much do mushroom supplements vary in composition?
Mushroom supplements can vary widely, even within the same species. In reishi (lacquered bracket, Ganoderma lucidum), polysaccharide content ranged from 1.1 to 5.8% in 11 randomly purchased products from Hong Kong, while triterpene content ranged from undetectable to 7.8%. Without batch-by-batch analysis, you don't know what's in a product.
These figures come from a review of research on reishi, which also notes that triterpene content varies depending on the part of the mushroom and its growth stage (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011). In lion's mane (bearded tooth, Hericium erinaceus), the fruiting body and mycelium have been described as having different chemical profiles (Friedman, 2015).
So a name on the packaging doesn't tell you much. You also need to know which part was used and how it was measured.
How do you read beta-glucans on a mushroom supplement label?
Check three things on the label: does it say "beta-glucans" with a percentage, was it measured using a method that excludes starch, and was the fruiting body used? If it only says "polysaccharides" or nothing at all, simply ask for the batch's certificate of analysis (CoA). The test method should also be listed there.
- Does it say "beta-glucans" with a percentage? That's a good sign, especially if it's a measured value.
- Does it only say "polysaccharides"? Ask whether these are beta-glucans and how they were measured.
- Does it say nothing at all? Ask for the CoA. Read how to read a CoA.
- Does it say "mycelium" or "myceliated grain"? Keep in mind that some of the polysaccharides may be starch.
An extraction ratio such as 20:1 tells you how much raw material went in, not how much beta-glucan the product contains. Content is just one of the criteria; you can find the rest in our article on choosing the best mushroom supplement.
Is a higher beta-glucan content always better in mushroom supplements?
No, a higher beta-glucan content is not automatically better. Content naturally varies by mushroom, part, and form, and an extract usually has a higher content than ground powder. What matters more is that the figure is accurate and measured honestly.
No health claims for beta-glucans from mushrooms have been approved in the EU (though they have been for beta-glucans from oats and barley). A percentage also says nothing about the precise structure, and labs use different methods. So it is best to compare figures only when they have been measured in the same way.
Other compounds matter too. For example, triterpenes in reishi dissolve better in alcohol than in water (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011) and are not reflected in a beta-glucan figure. So beta-glucans alone on the label do not give the full picture.
How much beta-glucan is listed on our labels?
At GOYU, beta-glucan content is listed on three labels: the lion's mane extract capsules (20%), the reishi extract capsules (30%), and the chaga extract capsules (20%), all with 400 mg of 20:1 extract per capsule. Our cordyceps extract lists only the polysaccharide content (30%). The powders and regular capsules are ground mushrooms without extraction. They do not list a percentage of beta-glucans or polysaccharides.
Converted per capsule and per day, based on the package directions, it looks like this:
| Product | On the label | Per capsule (calculated) | Per day as directed (calculated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane extract capsules | 400 mg, 20:1, 20% beta-glucans, 30% polysaccharides | 80 mg beta-glucans, 120 mg polysaccharides | 2 capsules: 160 mg beta-glucans, 240 mg polysaccharides |
| Reishi extract | 400 mg, 20:1, 30% beta-glucans, 40% polysaccharides | 120 mg beta-glucans, 160 mg polysaccharides | 1 to 2 capsules: 120 to 240 mg beta-glucans, 160 to 320 mg polysaccharides |
| Chaga extract capsules | 400 mg, 20:1, 20% beta-glucans, 30% polysaccharides | 80 mg beta-glucans, 120 mg polysaccharides | 1 to 2 capsules: 80 to 160 mg beta-glucans, 120 to 240 mg polysaccharides |
| Cordyceps extract capsules | 400 mg, 20:1, 30% polysaccharides | 120 mg polysaccharides | 2 capsules: 240 mg polysaccharides |
Beta-glucans and polysaccharides per capsule and per day, calculated from the percentages on our labels. The chart shows the beta-glucans in lion's mane and reishi.
The difference between the two numbers per product shows that beta-glucans are part of the polysaccharides. The lion's mane and reishi extracts are made from the fruiting bodies using water and ethanol.
You'll also find reishi powder, capsules and extract in our supplements for your immune system, along with spirulina, chlorella and turmeric. There, each product shows exactly which claim applies.
Curious about the measured values for your batch? Email the lot number to support@getgoyu.com. Read what users themselves say about lion's mane in lion's mane experiences.
Summary in 3 points
- Beta-glucans are glucose chains from the cell walls of mushrooms. Polysaccharides is a broader term that can also include starch.
- A measured beta-glucan content of the fruiting body tells you more than just a polysaccharide content.
- More is not automatically better: pay attention to the measurement method, the part used, and the CoA.
Frequently asked questions
Are beta-glucans found only in mushrooms?
No, they are also found in yeast, oats, and barley. Their structure differs by source.
Can beta-glucans withstand heat?
Yes, they are specifically extracted from mushrooms using hot water. A water extract is therefore a common preparation.
What is a "polysaccharide 40%" extract?
An extract consisting of 40% polysaccharides. Ask how much of that is beta-glucans.
Does ground mushroom powder also contain beta-glucans?
Yes, but less per gram than an extract, and some of it is bound in the cell wall. Powder does contain the whole mushroom.
How does a lab measure beta-glucans?
Often using an enzymatic method that first determines total glucans and then alpha-glucans. The difference is the beta-glucan content (McCleary and Draga, 2016).
Sources
- Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, Benzie IFF. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi). In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
- Friedman M. Review article on the chemistry and nutritional value of Hericium erinaceus (fruiting body and mycelium). J Agric Food Chem. 2015;63(32):7108-7123. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/26244378
- McCleary BV, Draga A. Measurement of β-Glucan in Mushrooms and Mycelial Products. J AOAC Int. 2016;99(2):364-373. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/26957216
- GOYU, packaging for Lion's Mane Extract Capsules and Reishi Extract Capsules (ingredients and directions for use), accessed October 2026.
Find all our mushrooms on the buy mushroom supplements page.
This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, during pregnancy, or if taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Mushrooms from GOYU
Lion's Mane, reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and shiitake as powder and capsules (without fillers), most also as extract capsules (20:1).
