Mushrooms offer numerous health benefits. Not only do they reduce the risk of cancer and early death, but recent research published by Penn State College of Medicine also reveals that mushrooms are beneficial for mental health.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine utilized data on diet and mental health collected from over 24,000 adults in the United States from 2005 to 2016. They found that individuals who consumed mushrooms had a lower incidence of depression.
Individuals who consume mushrooms have a lower incidence of depression.
According to the researchers, mushrooms contain ergothioneine, an antioxidant that helps protect against cellular and tissue damage in the body. Studies indicate that this antioxidant may help prevent various mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
The lead researcher, Djibril Ba, who is also an epidemiologist at Penn State College of Medicine, stated: “Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, an anti-inflammatory compound that humans cannot synthesize. Consuming high levels of this compound can help reduce the risk of stress and alleviate symptoms of depression.”
White button mushrooms are the most commonly consumed type of mushroom in the United States. They contain potassium, which has anxiety-reducing effects. Additionally, some other mushroom species, particularly Hericium erinaceus or Lion’s Mane, may help stimulate the nervous system and prevent mental disorders, including depression.
Researchers noted that non-Hispanic white women with a college education tend to consume more mushrooms. The average age of survey participants was 45, and a majority (66%) were non-Hispanic white individuals.
The investigators observed a significant association between mushroom consumption and lower rates of depression after accounting for social demographics, major risk factors, some self-reported illnesses, medications, and other dietary factors.
Joshua Muscat, a researcher at the Penn State Cancer Institute and a professor of public health sciences, commented: “This study adds to the growing list of health benefits associated with mushroom consumption.”
Antioxidants in mushrooms help prevent some mental disorders.
The research team conducted a secondary analysis to see if the risk of depression could be reduced by replacing a serving of red or processed meat with a serving of mushrooms each day. However, the findings indicated that this substitution was not associated with lower rates of depression.
Prior to this study, there was little research examining the relationship between mushroom consumption and depression. Most studies were clinical trials with fewer than 100 participants. The researchers stated that this study highlights the potential public and clinical health importance of mushroom consumption as a means to help reduce depression and prevent other diseases.
The researchers believe that some limitations of the study could be addressed in future research.
The data did not provide details about specific types of mushrooms. As a result, the researchers could not determine the effects of particular mushroom varieties on depression.
John Richie and Xiang Gao from the Penn State Cancer Institute; Laila Al-Shaar and Vernon Chinchilli from the Penn State College of Medicine; and Robert Beelman from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences participated in this research. The researchers also reported no conflicts of interest or specific funding support for this project.
The study was recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
