1. Why We Publish This
Most comparison sites keep their ranking methodology secret. We do the opposite. Every score on this platform is generated by applying the rules in this document. If you think a score is wrong, you can point to the specific rule and challenge it.
Independence statement
This platform is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any brand listed. Commercial relationships (including partner link arrangements) have no effect on scores. See “What Cannot Affect a Score” below.
Health information disclaimer
Information on this platform relates to nutritional composition and public disclosure practices only. It is not medical advice. No claims are made about the therapeutic efficacy, safety, or suitability of any product. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any supplement.
2. The Science in Plain English
What are beta-glucans and why do they matter?
Beta-glucans are the primary bioactive compounds in functional mushrooms. Think of them like the active ingredient in a medicine. 500mg of a mushroom extract with 5% beta-glucans gives you 25mg of the active compound. 500mg with 40% gives you 200mg — eight times more — in what appears, on the label, to be the same product. This platform exists to show that difference.
Fruiting body vs. mycelium
The fruiting body (the mushroom cap and stem) is where beta-glucans are most concentrated — typically 20–40% in quality extracts. Mycelium grown on grain contains 35–40% grain starch, bringing actual beta-glucan content as low as 1–5%. Both polysaccharides and beta-glucans appear on labels; they are not the same thing. This platform specifically looks for beta-glucan percentage.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A COA is an independent lab test report that verifies what is inside a product. A mushroom COA should confirm the actual beta-glucan percentage (using the Megazyme assay), the absence of heavy metals and pesticide contamination, and the species identity. Brands that publish COAs provide independently verifiable information.
Extraction method
Mushroom cell walls are made of chitin, which the human digestive system cannot break down efficiently. Hot water extraction releases beta-glucans. Alcohol (ethanol) extraction releases triterpenes — important in Reishi and Chaga. Dual extraction (water + alcohol) captures the full compound profile.
3. The Five Scoring Dimensions
Each product is scored across five dimensions (0–10 each). The overall score is a weighted average.
Dimension 1: Ingredient Quality (weight: 35%)
| Sub-dimension | Max | Top score criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Mushroom source type | 4 | 100% fruiting body extract |
| Beta-glucan % | 4 | ≥40% beta-glucan |
| Extraction method | 2 | Dual extraction (water + alcohol) |
| Dose adequacy | 2 | ≥1,000mg extract per serving |
| Raw max → normalised to 10 | 12 → 10 |
Dimension 2: Transparency (weight: 30%)
| Sub-dimension | Max | Top score criteria |
|---|---|---|
| COA publicly available | 3 | ISO 17025 lab, tests beta-glucans + heavy metals + microbial |
| Beta-glucan % disclosed & verified | 2 | Stated AND confirmed by third-party COA |
| Source clearly stated | 2 | Prominently stated (e.g. "100% fruiting body") |
| Extraction method disclosed | 1 | Method specified |
| Country of origin disclosed | 1 | Country of mushroom cultivation stated |
| Missing data penalty | −1 | Applied if 3+ core fields are unspecified |
Dimensions 3–5 summary
| Dimension | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Value (3) | 20% | Cost per 100mg beta-glucan vs. category median. Longer bar = better value. |
| Trust (4) | 10% | Trustpilot score (0–5) + third-party testing (0–3) + organic certification (0–2). |
| Consumer Experience (5) | 5% | Subscription flexibility (0–4) + return policy (0–3) + UK availability (0–3). |
4. Score Bands
These labels describe the completeness of publicly available evidence — not a verdict on the product itself.
✓ Fully Verified
Strong evidence across most dimensions. Brand discloses and independently verifies its key claims.
✓ Well Documented
Good disclosure with minor gaps. Sufficient evidence for an informed purchase decision.
~ Partially Documented
Some evidence provided but notable gaps remain. Review the dimension breakdown before buying.
⚠ Limited Disclosure
Key information not publicly available. Score reflects what can be verified.
? Insufficient Data
Minimal public information available to assess this product independently.
5. What Cannot Affect a Score
Commercial relationships between this platform and any brand — including partner link arrangements, sponsored listing agreements, featured placement fees, or any other revenue arrangement — have no effect on any dimension of any product's score.
Scores are determined solely by applying the rules in this document to publicly available data. This process is automated, consistent, and applies identically to all products regardless of whether the platform earns revenue from them.
Sponsored listings appear separately from organic results and are clearly labelled. A brand that pays for a sponsored listing does not receive a higher score or better position in organic results.
6. Public Disclosure Policy
This platform scores only what is publicly available. We do not accept private evidence.
If a brand believes their score is inaccurate, the remedy is simple: publish the evidence. A COA that was previously private becomes public. The score updates at the next scoring cycle. This is the only path to a score change via correction.
Only COAs using the Megazyme beta-glucan assay from an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory are accepted as third-party verified evidence for beta-glucan percentage claims.
7. Correction Process
- Correction requests are reviewed within 30 days of submission.
- One resubmission is permitted if initial documentation is insufficient.
- All submitted documentation is published publicly alongside the product's score. The platform does not accept evidence submitted under NDA or confidentiality.
- In-house testing, unaccredited lab results, or brand-provided summaries without underlying data are not accepted.
To submit a correction: corrections@cogniscore.co.uk
8. Version History
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | April 2026 | Initial methodology published. |
| 1.1 | April 2026 | Worked example added. Expert reviews commissioned and published. |
| 1.2 | April 2026 | Score band labels renamed to disclosure-level descriptors. Beta-glucan % scoring split into brand-stated vs. third-party verified. Dose Adequacy sub-dimension added. |
| 1.3 | April 2026 | All expert review actions implemented. Public Disclosure Policy and What Cannot Affect a Score sections added. |
| 1.4 | April 2026 | Gummy format additions: mushroom_gummy category added. Sugar per serving and active extract % displayed on gummy pages. Goal tagging system introduced. |