Mushrooms are a rich, low calorie source of fiber, protein and antioxidants. I recently stumbled across a website that stated “seven surprising mushroom health benefits for your skin, brain and bones.” It was written by Lisa Mulcahy, who suggested people need to pile mushrooms on their plates. 

Sounding like a trustworthy name and interesting tidbits of information, so click. 

One, mushrooms may help keep you young. 

Mushrooms contain a super-high concentration of two antioxidants, ergothioneine and glutathione, according to a 2017 Penn State study. When these antioxidants are present together, they work extra-hard to protect the body from the physiological stress that causes visible signs of aging (translation: wrinkles).

Two, mushrooms can protect your brain as you age.

A long-term study from Spain published in 2021 found that certain foods rich in polyphenols (which include mushrooms, as well as coffee, cocoa, and red wine) may be protective against cognitive decline in older adults. Penn State researchers also found that the antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione may help prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They recommend eating at least five button mushrooms per day to reduce your risk of neurological illness in the future. 

Three, mushrooms can lift your mood.

Penn State researchers did some further investigations in 2021 and found that in a sample of almost 25,000 people, those who regularly ate mushrooms had a lower risk for depression. Once again, this may be due to ergothioneine, which may lower the risk of oxidative stress, which in turn reduces symptoms of depression, the authors suggest. 

Four, mushrooms may boost your memory.

Another mental mushroom-related benefit: Researchers at the National University of Singapore found that eating two 3/4 cup servings of cooked mushrooms per week may reduce your odds of mild cognitive decline in a 2019 study.

Five, mushrooms can help your heart health.

Mushrooms help recipes taste better in place of salt because they contain glutamate ribonucleotides. Those compounds contribute a savory, umami taste with no ramifications for your blood pressure or heart disease risk. An entire cup of mushrooms has only 5 mg sodium! Mushrooms also make an excellent, satisfying substitute for red meat in any dish.

Six, mushrooms can assist in strengthening your bones. 

Seven, mushrooms will help give you energy.

This Lisa decided to try mushrooms. I added them to my salad. That Lisa failed to mention that mushrooms taste like dirt. They grow in dirty, dark places and are a fungus. Each bite of my salad was disgusting. I read too much, and I’m far too trusting.

Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.