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Here's today's feel-good story:
Not only do mushrooms lower the risk of cancer and premature death, but researchers at Penn State College Of Medicine have found that they can also improve one's mental health.
The study, which took place between 2005 and 2016, shows that those who ate mushrooms had lower odds of having depression.
Mushrooms contain ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant that protects against cell and tissue damage in the body. These antioxidants can also prevent several mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
“Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of the amino acid ergothioneine—an anti-inflammatory which cannot be synthesized by humans,” said lead researcher Djibril Ba, and recent graduate from the epidemiology doctoral program at the College of Medicine. “Having high levels of this may lower the risk of oxidative stress, which could also reduce the symptoms of depression.”