Stalker’s attention was caught by the news that mushrooms are potentially good for the memory. A study from Singapore suggests that eating more mushrooms can help ward of mental decline.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) found that participants who ate more than two servings of mushrooms a week - equivalent to 300g or about half a plate - were 57 per cent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment compared with those who ate less than one portion a week.
Mild cognitive impairment is the stage that precedes major dementia, so if mushrooms can help prevent that, it would be miraculous. As ever one should take all health claims with a pinch of salt.
Once again it is the compound ergothioneine which seems to get all the kudos. It acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, and can protect brain cells from damage, according to one of the researchers on the study.
Mushrooms also contain other important nutrients and minerals such as vitamin D, selenium and spermidine, which protect neurons from damage.
