Mushrooms, often considered super food because of the various health benefits, can help reduce the symptoms and risk of depression, according to a new study from Penn State University. The key to this potential benefit is a powerful antioxidant called Ergothioneine, which helps protect the body from damage. Of all these foods containing antioxidants, mushrooms are the biggest source.
There are various edible mushrooms, including white button mushrooms, which are the most common mushrooms eaten in the United States. There may be some compounds in various mushrooms that can help reduce or prevent anxiety and depression. Eating mushrooms has been associated with lower risk of cancer.
This new study involved mental health and diet data on more than 24,000 adults in the US; Data was collected from 2005 to 2016. This data analysis shows that people who eat mushrooms tend to experience depression, something potentially driven by antioxidants ergothioneine.
Past research has linked antioxidants by helping to prevent the development of mental health disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Beyond that, the researchers noted that some other compounds on mushrooms can also help support mental health, including everything starting from potassium to compounds that stimulate nerve growth factors.
The researchers show that the level of high ergothyeine – whose human body cannot synthesize itself – can reduce oxidative stress on tissues and body cells, contribute to the decrease in symptoms of depression. Among other things, this study contributed other potentially influential factors, ultimately found “significant associations” between eating fungi and reduced risk of depression.