Mushrooms may support brain health and cognitive function

Mushrooms may support brain health due to the presence of ergothioneine, a rare amino acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nutrition expert Maggie Moon notes that ergothioneine may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation linked to cognitive decline.

Research indicates that lower levels of ergothioneine in the blood are associated with poorer memory and cognitive function, with lower levels observed in individuals with dementia. Studies in Japan found that women consuming at least 15 grams of mushrooms daily had a lower risk of dementia, while an 18-year study in the UK suggested routine mushroom consumption correlates with better cognitive performance.

Integrative medicine expert Sandra Carter highlighted lion's mane mushrooms as a highly researched variety. This type contains erinacine and hericenone, compounds that may influence nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophic pathways. However, Carter cautioned that laboratory findings regarding these mechanisms in humans are still being established.