This research examined the content of beneficial compounds called beta-glucans in wild Polish mushrooms compared to commercially grown medicinal mushrooms. The study found that many wild mushrooms contain similar or higher amounts of these healthy compounds compared to cultivated medicinal mushrooms. This has important implications for everyday life: • Wild mushrooms could be valuable natural sources of health-promoting compounds • Local wild mushrooms may provide similar health benefits as expensive commercial medicinal mushrooms • The findings could lead to new natural supplements and medicines derived from wild mushrooms • This research helps validate traditional uses of wild mushrooms for health purposes • The study provides scientific support for sustainable foraging of wild mushrooms as functional foods