Mushrooms for depression?
It’s no secret that white button, shiitake and portobello mushrooms are generally known for their health benefits. A research team just added a new potential benefit of mushrooms: lowering the odds of depression.
In a 10-year study, Penn State College of Medicine researchers collected mental health data from more than 24,000 U.S. adults. The data found that mushrooms contain the highest dietary levels of an antioxidant, ergothioneine, that potentially protects against cell and tissue damage. According to research findings, ergothioneine is an anti-inflammatory that the body can’t synthesize, which is what actually lowers the risk of oxidative stress and reduces symptoms of depression.
While it was determined that ergothioneine could directly lower depression, the research could not establish if there were additional benefits with relatively high mushroom intake. The team also conducted a secondary analysis to see if substituting a serving of mushrooms for a serving of red or processed meat could lower the risk of depression. The results were inclusive.
Prior to this study, previous clinical trials were conducted with 100 participants or less. Thus, it’s the depth and breadth of Penn State’s research that underscores the potential clinical and public health importance of mushroom consumption as a means of reducing depression and preventing other diseases.
Sauteed mushrooms anyone?