Author: Longjam Dineshwori | Updated: October 13, 2021 at 6:46 PM, U.S. Standard Time

Because mushrooms are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain no cholesterol, they are considered a super food. These fungi are touted for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and have been found to have multiple health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and premature death. Now, a new study led by the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine shows that eating mushrooms may reduce the risk of depression.

After examining diet and mental health data collected from more than 24,000 American adults between 2005 and 2016, the researchers found that participants who ate mushrooms had a lower chance of developing depression.

Researchers say that mushrooms’ mental health benefits may be because they contain ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant that prevents damage to cells and tissues in the body. The positive effects of antioxidants in preventing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression and other mental illnesses have also been confirmed in previous studies. Also read that adding mushrooms to your diet can help increase nutritional deficiencies and achieve dietary goals. Mushrooms: superfood diets that protect the heart, bones, etc. and depression: what to eat and what to avoid more news

"Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of the amino acid ergothioneine-an anti-inflammatory drug that humans cannot synthesize. High levels of mushrooms may reduce the risk of oxidative stress, which can also reduce the symptoms of depression," Lead said according to Science Daily newspaper quoted that researcher Djibril Ba recently graduated from a doctoral program in epidemiology at the medical school.

However, the researchers found that the relatively high intake of mushrooms had no obvious additional benefits.

Button mushrooms contain potassium, which may help reduce anxiety. Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion's mane, and certain other types of edible mushrooms may stimulate the expression of neurotrophic factors, which helps prevent neuropsychiatric diseases including depression.

The following are other possible health benefits of eating mushrooms:

Excellent source of antioxidants: This superfood is an excellent source of three essential antioxidants, glutathione, ergothioneine and selenium, which can delay or reduce the effects of age-related diseases.

Mushrooms can make vitamin D: The vitamin D in mushrooms can help strengthen bones, regulate insulin levels, and support the health of the immune, brain, and nervous systems.

Help regulate the nervous system: Mushrooms can provide you with B vitamins, such as niacin and riboflavin, which are essential for converting our food into energy for distribution to cells and helping to regulate the nervous system and maintain overall cell health.

Used to fight cancer: Mushrooms have been used as a medicine to treat infections in Asia for hundreds of years. Today, medicinal mushrooms are used as a supplement to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China. There are more than 100 types of mushrooms used to treat cancer in Asia, including Ganoderma lucidum (Ganoderma lucidum), Trametes variabilis or Yunzhi (turkey tail), Shiitake mushrooms (Shiitake), and Grifola frondosa (maitake mushroom).

Mushrooms boost immunity: A 2015 study by the University of Florida found that participants who consumed 4 ounces of mushrooms a day for four weeks had improved immunity. Shiitake mushrooms are native to Asia and are grown for their culinary and medicinal properties.

There are several ways to add mushrooms to your diet: as an ingredient in homemade pizzas, salads, or pasta sauces. Non-vegetarians can enjoy mushroom fish curry and mushroom chicken recipes.

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