• It's common knowledge that mushrooms are full of healthy nutrients but they may be a lot better for you than you realize.
  • Research from the National University of Singapore suggests elderly people who eat more than two standard portions of mushrooms per week could be 50% less likely to suffer mild cognitive impairment.
  • The effect is thought to be down to ergothioneine, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory humans can't synthesize independently.
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It's common knowledge that mushrooms are packed with a nutritional punch — but did you know that this everyday food item may be able to lower the risk of cognitive decline in older people too?
Research from the National University of Singapore (NUS) suggests seniors who eat more than two standard portions of mushrooms — equivalent to 300g or half a plate — per week may have 50% reduced odds of having mild cognitive impairment.
This could be because of the presence of a specific compound called ergothioneine found in almost all mushroom varieties, according to Dr. Irwin Cheah, a senior research fellow from NUS Biochemistry.

mushroom mushrooms
Ergothioneine found in almost all mushroom varieties.
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Dr. Cheah said: "ET (ergothioneine) is a unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which humans are unable to synthesize on their own. But it can be obtained from dietary sources, one of the main ones being mushrooms."
The NUS study stated that seniors with mild cognitive impairment display subtle symptoms of memory loss or forgetfulness, as well as a deficit in other cognitive functions such as language, attention, and visuospatial abilities.