Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, killing approximately 10 million people every year. According to research, eating mushrooms can reduce the risk of cancer.
State College, PA (Business Northeast) – Because mushrooms have a variety of nutrients, among them, Ergothioneine can protect cells and inhibit cancer. Studies have shown that eating mushrooms is the most obvious in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
According to research conducted by Pennsylvania State University, eating more mushrooms is associated with a lower risk of cancer. The study was published in Advances in Nutrition on March 16 and was reported by Science Daily in April.
The researchers reviewed 17 cancer studies published from 1966 to 2020 and analyzed data from 19,500 cancer patients. Studies have pointed out that eating 18 grams of mushrooms per day can help reduce cancer risk by 45% compared to people who do not eat mushrooms.
Mushrooms have many nutrients: polysaccharides, dietary fiber, vitamin B, ergothioneine, protein, etc. These ingredients are beneficial to the human body. Ergothioneine is an amino acid, a unique and effective antioxidant that can protect cells and inhibit cancer.
“Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, which is a unique and potent antioxidant and cellular protector,” said Djibril M. Ba, a graduate student in epidemiology at Penn State College of Medicine. “Replenishing antioxidants in the body may help protect against oxidative stress and lower the risk of cancer.”
Researchers also noticed the strongest association between eating mushrooms and breast cancer because people who eat mushrooms regularly have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Ba explained that this could be because most of the studies did not include other forms of cancer.
Although ergothioneine is also contained in other foods, such as shiitake, oyster, etc. Researchers have found that people who add any kind of mushrooms to their daily diet have a lower risk of cancer. So, try not to choose the type of mushrooms and eat more mushrooms that are good for your health!
Related information: Higher Mushroom Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
