Mushrooms are a fascinating and nutritious food that belong to the fungi kingdom. They are not only versatile in cooking but also offer numerous health benefits.
The National Foundation for Cancer Research published an article titled “Mushrooms for Cancer Prevention and Mental Wellbeing,” which details some of the latest research being done as of 2022 noting findings like “individuals who ate 18 grams of mushrooms daily had a 45% lower risk of cancer than those who did not eat mushrooms,” although
UCLA Health has an article from 2022 on the benefits of mushrooms that starts off by stating that “researchers continue to uncover how mushrooms can ward off chronic disease and improve your everyday health,” then listing everything from reducing the risk of cancer, protecting brain health, to enhancing the microbiome, immune system, and more.
Here’s the compelling science-backed health data that I’ve found so far. If I’ve made any mistakes, please let me know!
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✨ Key Takeaways ✨
In brief, you’ll find that white Button Mushrooms have been shown to fight prostate cancer, diabetes, and markers of heart disease in randomized controlled trials. Additionally, population studies indicate that regular mushroom consumption can improve cognitive performance, suggesting potential benefits against Alzheimer’s and dementia. Furthermore, they enhance mucosal immunity, which is the mucus part of your immune system and helps in supporting your overall health.
The proof, at a glance, for why I use mushrooms in my recipes.
Cancers
- Prostate Cancer [2024]: “White Button Mushroom consumption reduces circulating PMN-MDSCs and activates T and NK cells, suggesting its potential as an immunomodulatory agent in prostate cancer management.“
- Prostate Cancer [2015]: Eating “…[White Button Mushroom] appears to both impact PSA levels and modulate the biology of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer by decreasing immunosuppressive factors.”
Dementia / Alzheimer’s
Dementia [2024]: “…mushroom consumers displayed better cognitive performance than non-consumers across multiple cognitive domains…with those consuming 1 or more portions per week showing the highest cognitive scores.”
Diabetes & Heart Disease
- LDL & Glycemic Index [2022]: “After 8 weeks, a significant decrease was observed in fructosamine and LDL in the White Button Mushroom powder group…it is recommended that WBM could be used to control T2DM.”
- Metabolic Syndrome [2016]: “Significant beneficial health effects were observed at 16 weeks …doubling of ergothioneine…increases in the antioxidant marker ORAC, and anti-inflammatory hormone, adiponectin.”
Immune System
Mucus Membrain [2012]:”…consuming white button mushrooms significantly increases salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion, suggesting potential benefits for mucosal immunity.”
📚 NCDs – Citations & Sources
The Non-communicable diseases that lentils fight or reverse.
Cancer
Prostate Cancer Risk vs Button Mushrooms [2024, Oct]
A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of: WBM (White Button Mushroom) in Patients With Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.
Title: “Legume and Nuts Consumption in Relation to Odds of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study”
- “Our findings indicate that WBM consumption reduces circulating PMN-MDSCs and activates T and NK cells, suggesting its potential as an immunomodulatory agent in prostate cancer management.”
Prostate Cancer Risk vs Button Mushrooms [2015, Sep]
A Clinical Trial of: 36 patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and continuously rising PSA levels over 2.5 years
Title: “A phase I trial of mushroom powder in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer: Roles of cytokines and myeloid-derived suppressor cells for Agaricus bisporus-induced prostate-specific antigen responses”
- “Therapy with WBM [(eating White Button Mushrooms)] appears to both impact PSA levels and modulate the biology of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer by decreasing immunosuppressive factors.”
Dementia / Alzheimer’s
Mushroom Intake and Cognitive Performance [2024, Jan]
A Population-Based Cohort Study of: over 30,000 older subjects over 18 years of follow-up examining mushroom consumption and cognitive performance.
Title: “The Relationship between Mushroom Intake and Cognitive Performance: An Epidemiological Study in the European Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk Cohort (EPIC-Norfolk)”
- At [the final health check-up], mushroom consumers displayed better cognitive performance than non-consumers across multiple cognitive domains. This relationship was observed to be dose-dependent, with those consuming 1 or more portions per week showing the highest cognitive scores. These findings suggest that regular mushroom consumption may be beneficial for cognitive function during aging.
Diabetes
Hot Air-Dried White Button Mushroom Powder and Type 2 Diabetes [2022, Jul]
A Randomized Controlled Trial of: 44 adult subjects aged 20–50 over 8 weeks evaluating the effects of hot air-dried white button mushroom powder on glycemic indices, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, and total antioxidant capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Title: “The Effects of Hot Air-Dried White Button Mushroom Powder on Glycemic Indices, Lipid Profile, Inflammatory Biomarkers and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
- “After 8 weeks, a significant decrease was observed in fructosamine and LDL in the HAD-WBM [(Hot Air-dried White Button Mushroom powder)] group compared to the control group.”
- “Considering the results of this study about the beneficial effects of HAD-WBM [(Hot Air-dried White Button Mushroom powder)] on the improvement of glycemic indices and LDL in T2DM patients, it is recommended that HAD-WBM could be used to control T2DM.”
Daily Consumption of White Button Mushrooms and Metabolic Syndrome [2016, Sep]
A Retrospective Study of: 37 adults with metabolic syndrome assessing the impact of daily consumption of Agaricus bisporus (white button mushrooms) on diabetic risk factors.
Title: “A Retrospective Study in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: Diabetic Risk Factor Response to Daily Consumption of Agaricus bisporus (White Button Mushrooms)”
- “Significant beneficial health effects were observed at 16 weeks with the doubling of ergothioneine from baseline, increases in the antioxidant marker ORAC, and anti-inflammatory hormone, adiponectin.”
- “We conclude that WBM [White Button Mushroom] contains a variety of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits that can occur with frequent consumption over time in adults predisposed to T2D.”
Immune System
Button Mushrooms & Immune Mucus [2012, May]
A Randomized Controlled Trial of: 24 subjects over 3 weeks on WBM (White Button Mushroom) on the protective effects of mucus membranes in your mouth, throat, nose, gut, and other mucosal surfaces.
Title: “Dietary Intake of Agaricus bisporus White Button Mushroom Accelerates Salivary Immunoglobulin A Secretion in Healthy Volunteers”
- “Our findings demonstrate that consuming white button mushrooms significantly increases salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion, suggesting potential benefits for mucosal immunity.”
Ingredients List
A Plant Based Lifestyle Diet
Apple Cider Vinegar
Basil
Beets
Broccoli
Brown Rice
Cabbage
Chia Seeds
Dates / Date Fruit
Flax Seeds
Garlic
Lentils
Oats
Onions
Pumpkin Seeds
Raisins
Sesame & Tahini
Spinach
Sunflower Seeds
