Mushrooms possess anti-ageing properties, say scientists

Mushrooms have high amounts of the ergothioneine and glutathione, both important antioxidants, said Robert Beelman, Professor Emeritus at Pennsylvania State University in the US. 

New Delhi: Mushrooms may contain unusually high amounts of two 

anti-oxidants that some scientists suggest could help fight ageing and 

age-related diseases.

Mushrooms have high amounts of the ergothioneine and glutathione, both 

important antioxidants, said Robert Beelman, Professor Emeritus at 

Pennsylvania State University in the US.

"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," said Beelman.

When the body uses food to produce energy, it also causes oxidative stress

because some free radicals are produced, Beelman said.

The study published in the journal Food Chemistry suggests that the amounts

of ergothioneine and glutathione in mushrooms vary by species with the 

porcini species, a wild variety, containing the highest amount of the two 

compounds among the 13 species tested.

"We found that the porcini has the highest, by far, of any we tested," said 

Beelman. "This species is really popular in Italy where searching for it has 

become a national pastime."

The more common mushroom types, like the white button, had less of the 

antioxidants, but had higher amounts than most other foods, Beelman said.

Free radicals are oxygen atoms with unpaired electrons that cause damage to

cells, proteins and even DNA as these highly reactive atoms travel through the body seeking to pair up with other electrons.

"There's a theory -- the free radical theory of aging -- that's been around for a 

long time that says when we oxidize our food to produce energy there's a 

number of free radicals that are produced that are side products of that action 

and many of these are quite toxic," Beelman said. 

Replenishing antioxidants in the body, then, may help protect against this 

oxidative stress.

The amount of ergothioneine and glutathione appear to be correlated in 

mushrooms, the researchers said. 

Mushrooms that are high in glutathione are also high in ergothioneine, for 

example.

Cooking mushrooms does not seem to significantly affect the compounds, 

Beelman said.