Ageing is inevitable, however a new US study might have uncovered an anti-ageing secret.

A new study conducted by Pennsylvania State University published in Food Chemistry, has found that the ordinary mushroom could play a vital role in fighting ageing and its associated diseases. 

Researchers have found that mushrooms contain high amounts of anti-oxidative compounds, ergothioneine and glutathione. 

The research indicated that by fuelling up on these antioxidants you might be able to slow down ageing. A research led by Robert Beelman, director of the Penn State Centre for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health, found that when it comes to getting both compounds, there may be no better source than mushrooms. 

“The body has mechanisms to control most of them, including ergothioneine and glutathione, but eventually enough accrue to cause damage, which has been associated with many of the diseases of ageing, like cancer, coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s,” Beelman said. 

“What we found is that, without a doubt, mushrooms are highest dietary source of these two antioxidants taken together, and that some types are really packed with both of them.”

Beelman and his team tested 13 different species of mushrooms. While all contained both compounds, their concentration varied greatly.

The study demonstrated that porcini mushrooms contained the most antioxidants and should be considered as an excellent dietary source. Other common types like the white button mushrooms, weren’t as rich, however they still contained more than most other foods. 

Another interesting find was that cooking the mushrooms had no affect on the benefits. 

“It’s preliminary, but you can see that countries that have more ergothioneine in their diets, countries like France and Italy, also have lower incidences of neurodegenerative diseases, while people in countries like the United States, which has low amounts of ergothioneine in the diet, have a higher probability of diseases like Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s,” Beelman concluded. 

From here, the researches will explore how a mushroom diet could decrease neurodegenerative diseases.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you use mushrooms in your diet?