Mushroom gummies are a popular, tasty, and practical way to reap the benefits of functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi. But, how long do mushroom gummies last? Do they expire and how can you recognize that they’ve gone bad?
This guide reveals everything about mushroom gummies, including how long they last, how to spot expired gummies, and how to optimize storage for prolonged freshness and potency.
Mushroom Gummies: Do They Expire or Not?
Mushroom gummies expire.
They have a shelf life and an eventual expiration date, which doesn’t necessarily make them harmful, but rather less potent and fresh.
Expiration vs. Decline in Potency
Mushroom gummies have bioactive compounds from functional mushrooms like reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane. With time, exposure to heat, air, and moisture may cause these compounds to degrade, reducing their effectiveness.
While the gummies may not be dangerous if you consume them, they may not cause the same energy-boosting, immune-supporting, and cognitive benefits as fresh ones.
Natural vs. Synthetic Preservatives
Some mushroom gummies contain natural preservatives to help slow down the oxidation and growth of microbes. However, if the gummies are free of preservatives, their shelf life is generally shorter so they will expire faster than the ones with preservatives.
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Do Functional Mushrooms Lose Potency?
Functional mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that break down over time, especially in gummies that haven’t been stored properly, causing their potency to decline.
Here’s what you can expect from common types of functional mushrooms found in mushroom gummies:
- Reishi is an adaptogenic mushroom abundant in triterpenes and polysaccharides whose effectiveness decreases as they degrade. You won’t be able to reap the stress-relieving or immune-strengthening benefits if the reishi mushroom gummies have expired.
- Cordyceps contains cordycepin, a compound known to provide energy and endurance; however, as the compound degrades, the mushroom gummies will no longer be an effective option for increasing stamina and energy.
- Lion’s Mane contains erinacines and hericenones, compounds associated with cognitive benefits like mental clarity and memory support; however, they will eventually expire, especially if exposed to heat and oxygen, making the mushroom gummies unable to provide any cognitive effects.
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How Long Do Mushroom Gummies Last?
The general shelf-life of mushroom gummies ranges between 12 and 24 months.
The exact best-before date depends on the ingredients and how they are stored. Remember, they don’t necessarily “go bad” as perishable foods do, but they are prone to a decline in texture and potency.
General Shelf Life of Mushroom Gummies
- An unopened pack of mushroom gummies will last between 12 to 24 months if stored in a dry, cool, and cold place.
- An opened pack of mushroom gummies will last between 6 and 12 months and the higher the exposure to air and moisture, the quicker their degradation.
- Gummies stored in the fridge will last up to 2 years and this is a great way to keep them fresh for a longer period, especially if you live in humid climates.
- Frozen gummies may last more than 2 years and are the ideal option to store them long-term; however, the longer they’re frozen, the higher the risk of changes in texture.
Which Factors Affect the Longevity of Mushroom Gummies?
Several factors affect the freshness and potency of mushroom gummies:
1. The Ingredients & Preservatives Inside
Mushroom gummies with natural fruit juices, plant-based stabilizers, or organic sweeteners tend to degrade quicker than gummies with synthetic additives.
Gummies with preservatives like vitamin C, ascorbic acid, or citric acid have a lower risk of microbial growth and oxidation. Gummies without preservatives will therefore expire sooner.
2. How You Store Them
Storage directly affects the mushroom gummies’ shelf-life. Gummies kept in warm and humid environments will break down faster than gummies stored in cool, dry, and dark places.
High heat and humidity will cause the gummies to become stickier and more prone to spoilage and mold. If you store them in a light area exposed to air, the UV light and oxygen will speed up the degradation.
This is why you should store opened mushroom gummies in airtight and opaque containers to slow down the degradation process.
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How to Recognize Expired Mushroom Gummies?
Mushroom gummies don’t last forever so it’s crucial to recognize when they’re spoiled and prevent an unpleasant experience.
Follow these signs for expired gummies:
1. Visible Changes in Smell, Texture, and Taste
Spoiled gummies may have a fermented, rancid, or sour odor, especially if you see “natural fruit extracts” on their ingredients list. There will also be signs in the texture—they will feel harder or stickier, opposite to the pleasant chewiness and softness of fresh mushroom gummies.
If you notice they’re grainy, they’ve probably lost their moisture and the breakdown process has already started. Expired gummies will also taste strangely like they’re bitter or stale.
2. Decline in Potency and Effectiveness
Over time, the active compounds of mushroom gummies with reishi, cordyceps, or lion’s mane will degrade, resulting in poorer effects.
So, if you’ve accidentally consumed an expired gummy, don’t expect the same calming, energy-boosting, or cognitive effects as you would from a fresh batch.
3. Visible Mold or Discoloration
Your mushroom gummies are spoiled if you spot green, white, or black spots, indicating moisture exposure.
Also, if they’ve lost their vibrant color or appear dull, it means they’ve oxidized. If you’re unsure if the gummies have expired, it’s always safer to dispose of them rather than risk consuming them.
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The Chemistry Behind Expired Mushroom Gummies
Mushroom gummies undergo various chemical changes over time that cause a decline in potency, quality, and safety.
From a chemical point of view, here’s what happens when mushroom gummies expire:
1. The Active Ingredients Degrade and Potency Declines
Functional mushrooms in mushroom gummies contain beneficial compounds like cordycepin, triterpenes, and beta-glucans that naturally degrade when exposed to heat, air, and light.
As they degrade and oxidize, they will decline in potency and won’t provide the same immune-boosting, cognitive, and energy-increasing effects.
2. There Will Be Changes in Texture and Consistency
Mushroom gummies may contain gelatin or pectin in their base that breaks down over time, causing changes in texture and consistency, resulting in harder, stickier, or chewier gummies.
If they’ve been exposed to moisture, the sugar inside may crystalize, causing the gummies to become grainy, crumbly, or dried.
3. Duller Flavor and Smell
Fresh mushroom gummies tend to have a fruiter, milder, earthy taste, depending on the flavors. But, as they expire, they will taste bitter, stale, or bland due to the breakdown of the ingredients and the oxidation. You’ll notice changes in the smell too.
4. There’s a Higher Risk of Mold and Bacteria
Mushroom gummies stored in humid and warm areas will expire faster and become the ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
This is especially the case with gummies that contain natural fruit extracts or don’t contain any synthetic preservatives. Never consume mushroom gummies with visible signs of mold and bacteria like fuzz, white spots, and a strong, odd smell, and dispose of them.
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What Happens If You Eat Expired Mushroom Gummies?
Consuming expired mushroom gummies isn’t necessarily dangerous, but you won’t experience the same effects.
Bioactive compounds like cordycepin or beta-glucans will start to degrade, preventing you from experiencing their wellness or cognitive advantages. Therefore, if you consume an expired mushroom gummy, don’t expect a burst of energy, a relaxing feeling, or sharpened focus.
What Are the Side Effects of Eating Expired Mushroom Gummies?
Mushroom gummies aren’t toxic if consumed unless they’ve developed mold or bacteria.
If you’ve consumed expired mushroom gummies, here are the possible side effects:
- The taste and texture will be unpleasant. The gummies will feel stale or sour and the texture will be grainy, hard, or sticky. They won’t feel appetizing at all.
- You may experience digestive upset if the gummies have developed mold or bacteria such as stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea.
- Some individuals may have mild allergic reactions due to mold or bacterial contamination sensitivities, resulting in itching, headaches, or mild respiratory irritation.
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How to Store Mushroom Gummies Optimally
Proper storage is essential to preserve the potency, texture, and flavor and reap the most benefits from each gummy.
Follow the best storage practices to prolong their shelf life:
- Store the gummies in a cool, dark area, away from sunlight, heat, and humidity—choose the pantry, a cupboard, or a drawer.
- Oxygen speeds up the degradation process of the compounds so make sure to store the gummies in the resealable pouch they came in or in an airtight glass jar.
- Avoid keeping the gummies in a humid room to prevent mold and bacteria and changes in texture and flavor.
- If you live in a humid climate, you can store them in the fridge, or the freezer. You can also put silica gel packs inside the container to absorb the surplus moisture.
- Freeze the gummies in airtight, freezer-safe containers to avert freezer burn and moisture accumulation.
Pro Tip:
If you have frozen mushroom gummies, thaw them at room temperature for several minutes to restore their texture. Avoid thawing and refreezing them repeatedly.
Final Thoughts
Mushroom gummies are a practical and tasty way to reap the benefits of functional mushrooms like reishi or lion’s mane. With that being said, they don’t last forever and have a shelf life that affects their potency, texture, and safety.
They last between 12 and 24 months but may expire sooner or later depending on how they are stored and the ingredients they contain.
FAQs
How do you know if a mushroom gummy is spoiled?
Look for changes in their smell, taste, or texture—discoloration, visible mold, or a strong unpleasant odor is a clear sign that you should throw them away!
How long do mushroom gummies last?
Most mushroom gummies have a shelf-life of between 12 and 24 months; however, the exact shelf life depends on the ingredients and storage. Look for the “best before” on the packaging before reaching for a gummy to avoid unpleasant side effects.
How to store mushroom gummies?
You should store mushroom gummies in an airtight container and a cool, dry, dark area. For prolonged freshness, store them in the fridge or freezer.