Something to EXPLORE: Mushrooms and your brain.
Summary:
1. Older people who eat more than two portions of mushrooms a week could cut their odds of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 50%.
2. Mild cognitive impairment = “problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes,”
3. MCI increases your chance of suffering with dementia later in life.
4. A portion of mushrooms = roughly 3/4 cup of cooked mushrooms.
5. CAUTION: Nutrition Detectives will remember Rule # 1: Association is not always cause! But in this case, the cause hypothesis is strengthened by a dose-response curve. Researchers found that those who ate one or two portions of mushrooms reduced their MCI risk by 43%, while those consuming even more had a whopping 52% reduced risk.
6. Mushrooms included: golden, oyster, shiitake and white button mushrooms. Also dried and canned mushrooms.
7. Possible mechanism of action (MOA):
Researchers propose: A nutrient in mushrooms called ergothioneine (ET) shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Healthy Skeptics : Don’t forget Vitamin D.
Find the research at: