Author: Dean Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Glutathione and ergothioneine are powerful antioxidants found in some mushrooms that protect the body from oxidative stress.
A study found that mushrooms contain a huge amount of antioxidants that can protect against oxidative stress, improve overall health and slow down aging .
The authors of the study claim that when the body produces energy, oxidative stress is caused due to free radicals. They can cause damage to cells and DNA and lead to several diseases such as dementia , coronary heart disease, cancer and others. Thanks to the antioxidants glutathione and ergothionein found in mushrooms, the body is protected from oxidative stress.
Glutathione is an intercellular antioxidant that is associated with the ability to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system and to counteract certain carcinogens and toxins. Sufficient glutathione can help to improve the general condition of the body and prevent disease.
Ergothionein refers to maintaining glutathione levels as well as reducing the likelihood of cognitive loss .
The amount of ergothionein and glutathione in mushrooms can vary depending on their type. Of all the mushrooms studied, the Porcini species has the highest levels of antioxidants . After them is Agaricus bisporus , which is widespread and has lower levels of compounds than Pocini , but still much more than other species.
Additional research shows that regular consumption of mushrooms not only stimulates immunity, but also reduces inflammatory processes in the body.
Future research is planned to examine whether ergotionein and glutathione can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
They are based on the fact that Italians and French include more ergothionein in their diet and have a lower incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, while people in the United States take lower amounts of this antioxidant and are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease. and Parkinson.
This may simply be a causal relationship, but researchers believe that it should be investigated whether antioxidants are effective in these diseases .