Mushrooms protect our brain functions?

Doctors found out now that the regular consumption of mushrooms seems to prevent the Occurrence of memory and language problems in people above the age of 60 years.

The scientists from the University of Singapore found in their recent study that people aged over 60 years, suffering more than twice a week to eat mushrooms, less likely to have memory and language problems. The experts published the results of their study in the English journal “the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease“.

Study had 663 subjects

For the study, 663 Chinese adults were studied over 60 years, whose diet and lifestyle was monitored from the year 2011 until the year 2017. In the course of the six years of the study, the researchers found that the food seems to reduce of fungi, the probability of a mild cognitive impairment. About nine out of 100 people who ate more than two servings of mushrooms per week and developed mild cognitive impairment, compared with 19 out of 100 people who consumed less than one Serving of mushrooms per week. A mild cognitive impairment can affect people, for example, the memory and problems with language, attention, and the Locating of objects in rooms.

Many factors in combination reduces cognitive decline

Consumers of fungi recorded during Tests of the brain better results, and showed also a higher processing speed. This has been particularly noted in people who took more than two servings of mushrooms per week (more than 300 g). It seems that already this single ingredient can have a significant effect on the cognitive decline. A combination of many factors acting in a still more positive on the cognitive decline. Tea, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and fish sien here is also an advantage, explain the scientists.

Why protect the mushrooms in the brain?

The experts point out that mushrooms are one of the richest dietary sources of Ergothioneine, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effect, which the human body can not produce itself. Mushrooms also contain other essential nutrients and minerals such as Vitamin D, selenium and Spermidine, which protect the neurons from damage. The unique antioxidant, which is in the mushrooms, could have a protective effect on the brain. The more mushrooms, the subjects ate, the better they perform in the study of brain-teasers. The researchers reported, but there is no direct connection between the consumption of mushrooms and improved brain function could be demonstrated.

Lifestyle affects the risk for dementia

The study was based on self-reported information about the mushroom consumption and other factors of the diet that may be inaccurate. There are many factors that contribute to the development of dementia, and it can be prevented it is estimated that up to one third of cases due to lifestyle Changes, including diet. Further studies are needed to more accurately determine how the consumption of mushrooms, the impact on the risk for the development of cognitive decline or dementia. A diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, including mushrooms, is certainly a good starting point for the protection of the brain. In addition, the experts recommend the intake of sugar and salt to reduce to be physically active, to drink only small amounts of alcohol and not to smoke. (as)