Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis / militaris)
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; human RCTs show it may improve aerobic capacity & exercise tolerance, with the militaris strain consistently showing acute & chronic benefits for VO2max & time to exhaustion.
Evidence last reviewed: 04 Apr 2026
The evidence for Cordyceps is mixed, with some studies showing improvements in VO2max and exercise tolerance. However, the overall quality of research is low, and more robust trials are needed to confirm these benefits.
Aerobic exercise capacity & VO2maxHealthy young adults · RCTLow
A 3-week RCT of a Cordyceps militaris-containing mushroom blend found VO2max significantly improved (+4.8 ml/kg/min; p=0.042) & time to exhaustion increased (+69.8 s) compared to placebo; acute supplementation (1 week) showed no effect, suggesting chronic dosing is required.
Metabolic threshold & ventilatory threshold during exerciseHealthy older adults (ages 50–75) · double-blind placebo-controlled RCTLow
A 12-week RCT of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) at 999 mg/day in 20 healthy older adults improved metabolic threshold by 10.5% (p<0.02) & ventilatory threshold by 8.5% (p=0.031) versus placebo; VO2max did not change significantly.
Athletic Performance and Endurance
Combining Betaine Anhydrous with Cordyceps can enhance athletic performance and endurance. Betaine supports strength and power output, while Cordyceps improves oxygen utilization and endurance.
Forms & usage▾
Take 1,000 mg of Cordyceps daily, ideally before workouts.