Mushrooms For Brain Health
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Mushrooms are a good source of many nutrients that are important for brain health, including B vitamins, selenium, and copper. In addition, they contain compounds that have been shown to have a positive impact on brain function, including polysaccharides, ergothioneine, and hericenones.
Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that can be found in many different types of mushrooms. These compounds have been shown to have immune-boosting properties and can also help to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a contributing factor to many chronic health conditions, including cognitive decline and dementia.
Ergothioneine is an antioxidant that is found in high concentrations in mushrooms. This compound has been shown to have neuroprotective properties and may help to prevent oxidative damage in the brain. Oxidative damage is a common feature of many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Hericenones are a group of compounds that are unique to Lion's Mane mushrooms. These compounds have been shown to stimulate the growth of new brain cells and may have potential as a treatment for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.
Research has also shown that mushrooms may have a positive impact on mood and cognitive function. In one study, participants who consumed mushrooms daily for 16 weeks reported improvements in their overall cognitive function and demonstrated better memory recall compared to a control group.
Another study found that regular mushroom consumption was associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is a precursor to dementia.
The cognitive benefits of mushrooms are attributed to their compounds which increase the production of nerve growth factor, a chemical that boosts brain function and gray matter. Nerve growth factor also enhances the lifespan of brain cells and improves memory retention and retrieval. A Research conducted at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur revealed that certain mushroom types, including H. erinaceus, G. lucidum, Cordyceps, D. indusiata, G. frondosa, T. fuciformis Berk, Tricholoma, T. albuminosus, L. rhinocerotis, and Pleurotus (Oyster Mushrooms), promote the production of nerve growth factor and may reduce the risk of dementia. Link
Oyster mushrooms are rich in nutrients like Niacin, for instance, has been shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline in older adults. A 2014 review from Belgium suggests, riboflavin supplementation has therapeutic effects against Brown’s syndrome, a type of motor neuron disorder.
Here are the links to some of the studies referenced in the article:
Volman JJ, Helsper JP, Wei S, et al. Effects of mushroom consumption on plasma lipid profile, satiety, and gastrointestinal well-being in healthy subjects. Appetite. 2010; 55(2): 375-382. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.006
Mattila P, Könkö K, Eurola M, et al. Bioavailability of various polyphenols from a diet containing moderate amounts of berries, vegetables, and fruit juices. Nutrition and Cancer. 2006; 54(1): 41-47. doi: 10.1207/s15327914nc5401_6
Cheung JKH, Lam CWK. Dietary mushroom polysaccharides and human health. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2016; 64(8): 1605-1618. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914
Li IC, Chen YL, Lee LY, et al. Ergothioneine rescues PC12 cells from amyloid beta-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2017; 109(Pt 1): 60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.07.002
Phan CW, David P, Naidu M, Wong KH, Sabaratnam V. Therapeutic potential of culinary-medicinal mushrooms for the management of neurodegenerative diseases: diversity, metabolite, and mechanism. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 2015; 35(3): 355-368. doi: 10.3109/07388551.2014.887649
Fang Y, Zhang Y, Zhong R, et al. Higher mushroom consumption is associated with lower risk of mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional study in Chinese elderly. Journal of Gerontology: Series A. 2020; 75(7): 1362-1368. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glz236
Sheng Y, Abreu IA, Cabelli DE, Maroney MJ, Miller AF, Teixeira M. Superoxide dismutases and superoxide reductases. Chemical Reviews. 2014; 114(7): 3854-3918. doi: 10.1021/cr4005296
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