Mushrooms are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Recent research shows that these superfoods may also help guard against cancer. Even though shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster mushrooms have higher amounts of the amino acid ergothioneine than the white button, cremini, and portabello mushrooms, the researchers found that people who incorporated any variety of mushrooms into their daily diets had a lower risk of cancer. According to the findings, individuals who ate 18 grams of mushrooms daily had a 45% lower risk of cancer than those who did not eat mushrooms.
Cancer Prevention & Wellbeing
Cancer prevention isn’t the only area where the funky fungi excel. In a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers examined data on 24,000 U.S. adults, tracking their dietary habits and mental health changes over 11 years. They found that those who ate more mushrooms had a 43% lower risk of developing depression in that timeframe compared to people who didn’t eat mushrooms at all.
The reason mushrooms can positively impact mental wellbeing is that mushrooms have an abundance of beneficial nutrients, including vitamin B12, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory amino acids. Having high levels of these compounds may lower the risk of oxidative stress leading to a reduction of symptoms of depression.
Oxidative Stress and Cancer
Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the body that happens when you produce too much of what’s called free radicals. Free radicals cause inflammation and lead to an imbalance when you don’t have enough antioxidants in the body to counteract them. That’s why eating foods high in antioxidants is such a booster for your health, as it brings the oxidative stress level down.
Learn more about which foods reduce oxidative stress by visiting AFCR’s Cancer-Fighting Foods blog section.
Additional Reads You May Enjoy:
Root Vegetables for Cancer Prevention
Stay connected with us! Receive our monthly e-newsletter and blogs to learn the latest cancer prevention tips, science breakthoughs and more. Sign up here.
