A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that adding more mushrooms to our meals cuts the risk of getting cancer.
US experts performed an analysis of 17 cancer studies published from 1966 to 2020 to determine the link between mushroom consumption and the disease.
The team, from Penn State Cancer Institute, found that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms reduced the risk of getting the disease by 45 per cent.
Eighteen grams equates to around just one eighth to one quarter of a cup full, they say – or one medium button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).
Several studies have previously linked mushroom intake with slashing cancer risk, including prostate and cervical cancers.
Pictured, Agaricus bisporus, a frequently consumed mushroom variety. It’s commonly known as common mushroom, white mushroom or button mushroom, among other names. However, any mushroom type was seen as beneficial for cutting cancer, the team found
‘Overall, these findings provide important evidence for the protective effects of mushrooms against cancer,’ said study author John Richie, a professor of public health sciences and pharmacology at Penn State Cancer Institute.
‘Future studies are needed to better pinpoint the mechanisms involved and specific cancers that may be impacted.’
Professor Richie said it’s important to note that 18 grams is a ‘very rough estimate’ – although the data suggests the more mushrooms we eat, the lower the risk of cancer.
‘The available methods used to estimate mushroom content in a person’s diet is subject to a great deal of variability,’ he told MailOnline.
‘Also, the levels can vary greatly depending on the type of mushroom and whether and how they are cooked.’
Mushrooms are known as a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.
They have a long history of being used in Asian medicines but their potential health benefits have only emerged in recent decades.
There have been an increasing number of studies suggesting that they could help anti-inflammation and antioxidation.
Of particular interest has been ergothioneine – a unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in mushrooms that humans are unable to synthesise on their own.
‘Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, which is a unique and potent antioxidant and cellular protector,’ said study author Djibril M. Ba, at Penn State College of Medicine.
‘Replenishing antioxidants in the body may help protect against oxidative stress and lower the risk of cancer.’
Shiitake, oyster, maitake and king oyster mushrooms all have higher amounts ergothioneine than white button, cremini and portabello mushrooms.
Despite this, the team’s analysis – comprising data from more than 19,500 cancer patients – found that people who incorporated any variety of mushrooms into their daily diets had a lower risk of cancer.
Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) – native to East Asia. Even though shiitake, oyster, maitake and king oyster mushrooms have higher amounts of the amino acid ergothioneine than white button, cremini and portabello mushrooms, the researchers found that people who incorporated any variety of mushrooms into their daily diets had a lower risk of cancer
When specific cancers were examined, the researchers noted the strongest associations for breast cancer.
However, this could be because most of the studies did not include other forms of cancer, Ba said.
The new research could be helpful in further exploring the protective effects that mushrooms have and helping to establish better diets.
‘The association between higher mushroom consumption and lower risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, may indicate a potential protective role for mushrooms in the diet,’ the team conclude in their study, published in Advances in Nutrition.
In 2019, researchers at Tohoku University in Japan reported a link between eating mushrooms and a lower risk of prostate cancer.
The Tohoku experts had monitored 36,499 men between the ages of 40 and 79 years in Miyagi and Ohsaki, Japan.
Participants who consumed mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 per cent lower risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to those who ate mushrooms less than once per week.
Pictured, Oyster mushroom or Pleurotus ostreatus. Interesting mushroom varieties are becoming more available in the supermarket – and are a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre and other antioxidants
And those who consumed mushrooms three or more times per week had a 17 per cent lower risk than those who ate mushrooms less than once a week.
Back in 2009, a team at New York Medical Centre reported on the anti-cancer properties of the Maitake mushroom used in Chinese cooking.
Combining a tiny concentrated extract of the mushroom with an anti-cancer proteins called interferon alpha reduced the growth of bladder and prostate cancer cells in patients by up to 75 per cent.
Mushrooms are also linked with other benefits – in 2019, experts detailed a link between mushroom consumption and lower levels of mild cognitive impairment.
Of course, some mushrooms don’t have health benefits at all – just half a Amanita Phalloides mushroom, commonly known as the death cap, contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
Mycologists routinely warn the public never to pick up and eat a mushroom growing from the ground in case it’s poisonous.
