Nutrition

Mushroom Nutrition

Long celebrated as a superfood source of powerful nutrients, fresh mushrooms are a healthy addition to your plate. Mushrooms provide many of the same nutritional benefits as vegetables, as well as attributes commonly found in meat, beans and grains. Mushrooms can help fulfill some of the leading recommendations for a healthy diet from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Mushrooms on the Mind

See why mushrooms aren’t just tasty, they might help power your brain too.

Mushrooms are one of the top food sources of ERGO.

Mushrooms and the MIND Diet

The MIND Diet is a plant-forward eating pattern designed to support brain health. Mushrooms provide ergothioneine, a nutrient that may help protect against chronic age-related diseases, including cognitive decline.¹

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Get to Know ERGO

Ergothioneine, or ERGO, is an amino acid that is being examined for its role in brain health. Lower blood levels of ergothioneine may be associated with the severity of cognitive disease.²

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Eat Smarter with Mushrooms

Emerging evidence suggests mushrooms might do more than flavor your meals — they may also support your brain health with age.

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A Look at the Evidence

In a study of over 600 older adults in Singapore, researchers found that higher mushroom consumption was associated with a substantially lower likelihood of having mild cognitive impairment.³

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¹Wu LY, Cheah IK, Chong JR, Chai YL, Tan JY, Hilal S, Vrooman H, Chen CP, Halliwell B, Lai MKP. Low plasma ergothioneine levels are associated with neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease in dementia. Free Radic Biol Med. 2021 Dec;177:201-211. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.10.019. Epub 2021 Oct 19. PMID: 34673145.

²Ba DM, Gao X, Al-Shaar L, Muscat J, Chinchilli VM, Ssentongo P, Beelman RB, Richie J. Mushroom intake and cognitive performance among US older adults: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014. Br J Nutr. 2022 Dec 14;128(11):2241-2248. doi: 10.1017/S0007114521005195. Epub 2022 Feb 4. PMID: 35115063; PMCID: PMC9661370.

³Feng L, Cheah IK, Ng MM, Li J, Chan SM, Lim SL, Mahendr an R, Kua EH, Halliwell B. The Association between Mushroom Consumption and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;68(1):197-203. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180959. PMID: 30775990.

“Mushrooms are a smart choice for any meal. Beyond their umami flavor, meaty texture and versatility, mushrooms are one of the top food sources of ergothioneine, an amino acid that is being studied for its role in brain health. Mushrooms are also part of the MIND diet, an eating pattern designed to support brain health, making them an easy and flavorful way to support a nutritious diet!”

— Maggie Moon, MS, RD

Just Add Mushrooms

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Deliciously Nutritious

Benefits & Nutrients

Vitamin D and selenium are just a few of the important vitamins and nutrients found in mushrooms. These nutrients are important for achieving and maintaining optimal health.

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