Mushrooms are plants that have been used as food or traditional medicine for a long time. As a food ingredient, mushrooms are known to be rich in nutrients, which make them good for maintaining health. Most of the edible mushrooms contain fibre, antioxidants, protein, vitamins, and high minerals. With these nutrients, mushrooms can help maintain a healthy body by increasing the body's immune system, reducing cholesterol levels, and inhibiting cancer growth.
Recently, there was a study conducted by the National University of Singapore, which found that mushrooms can also reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly. MCI has symptoms that are more or less the same as Alzheimer's, including poor memory and difficulty communicating. However, unlike Alzheimer's, these symptoms do not occur significantly, so the sufferers can still live their lives normally.
In the study, researchers conducted a study on 663 participants, aged 60 years and over with a period of 6 years, starting from 2011 to 2017. During the study, participants were asked to inform about their diet every day (one serving of mushrooms = 150 grams). The participants were also asked to undergo a variety of tests, such as cognitive ability tests, neuropsychological tests, interviews, blood pressure, weight, height, the strength of the hand grip, and walking speed.
As a result, the researchers found that those who consumed 2 or more servings of mushrooms per week had a 50% lower risk of MCI. The researchers believed that this could not be separated from the role of ergothioneine (ET), the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound contained in mushroom. The compound cannot be synthesized in the body, but we can get them from food, including mushrooms.
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay
Source(s):
- Feng, L., Cheah, I.KM., Li, J., et all (2019). The Association between Mushroom Consumption and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, DOI: 10.3233 / JAD-180959.
- Science Daily - Eating mushrooms increases the risk of cognitive decline (2019). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190312103702.htm, March 25, 2019.