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Cordyceps, a fungus that feeds on human organisms in the dystopian new series The Last of Us also exists in real life. But is it also dangerous for health?
Parasitic fungi, capable of colonizing the world due to global warming, and of feeding on our human organisms… This is the dark and horrifying vision that fans of the genre can enjoy since Monday on Prime Video with the release of the event series The Last of Us. One fungus in particular, the cordyceps, is turning the world as we know it upside down.
A killer fungus… for insects
In the series, the fungus in question, this cordyceps, is not the friendliest: it infects humans, grows inside them, and quite simply transforms them into zombies which it takes control of. And in life? The cordyceps does exist and it represents a danger… But only for the insects that cross its path. The fungus, which looks like a caterpillar, grows on them, continues to grow by penetrating their body and kills them at the same time. Horrible behavior, certainly, but which in no way threatens the humans that we are.
Cordyceps, and its benefits in medicine
So there’s no need to panic, cordyceps not dangerous for humans and even on the contrary. It has long been used as an ingredient in certain dietary supplements in powder form or as an extract, in the form of capsules. Its very rich content of nutrients, amino acids, proteins, minerals and trace elements and vitamins (B1, B2, B12, E and K), gives it high properties:
- Reduce stress;
- Boost the immune system;
- Help the kidneys to function properly;
- Limit tumor growth;
- It would also be an excellent antioxidant.
No need, therefore, to give him such a bad reputation.