Can Eating Mushrooms Make You Live Longer?

A brand spanking new study just produced some exciting results: eating mushrooms frequently reduces your chances of premature death, allowing you to live longer.

Which begs the question, what about mushrooms is so special? And should you be eating them daily?

The Study

Over 15,000 Americans from 1988-1994 reported their daily dietary consumption in a study called The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Researchers then took this data and cross-referenced it with The National Death Index from 1988-2015 to see if there was a correlation between decreased mortality rates and frequent mushroom consumption.

And what they found was: yes, indeed, mushroom consumption played a role in living longer. These are some other interesting findings:

• "Consuming 1-serving of mushrooms per day instead of 1-serving of processed or red meats was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality," suggests the study.
  
  
• It doesn't matter how you eat mushrooms — raw in salads, in omelets, etc. — just the act of eating mushrooms decreases your chances of dying prematurely.
  
  
• Further, the more frequently you ate mushrooms, the further reduction in mortality.

The study dove even further into participant's overall health by rating their dietary choices using The Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2000). Using this variable, researchers hypothesized that the participants with higher HEI-2000 scores (healthier diet) were more likely to eat mushrooms and make better dietary choices, thus living longer!

Need dietary wisdom? Check out our BodyRock Meal Plan eBook for recipes, advice and more!

The Mighty Mushroom

What makes mushrooms such a mighty food is their exceptional nutritional profile. Here are some of the reasons why you should include mushrooms in your diet:

• Antioxidants: Mushrooms are brimming with antioxidants, like selenium — mushrooms are one of the richest sources — which help combat cancer and heart conditions. Antioxidants fight to prevent free radical damage in the body, which reduces the signs of aging while naturally boosting the immune system.
  
  
• Beta Glucan: This soluble fiber helps the body control blood sugars and cholesterol while improving heart health.
  
  
• Copper: One serving of mushrooms provides ⅓ of the body's RDI of copper. Copper is responsible for making red blood cells, which oxygenates the blood and aids in bone and nerve health.
  
  
• Potassium: Potassium is required for good heart, nerve and muscle health.
  
  
• B Vitamins: If you're looking for a 1-2 punch, mushrooms contain extraordinary levels of b vitamins like riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin. B vitamins support the heart, help with red blood cells, digestion, healthy skin, hormones and the nervous system.

What's The Best Way To Eat Mushrooms?

Now that you know all about how the mighty mushroom fights to keep you healthy, what are some ways to eat this wonderous fungus? Remember, the study highlighted that there's no wrong way to eat a mushroom to reap its health benefits.

Here are some recipe ideas:

• Stuffed Mushrooms: For a meatless holiday app, try chestnut stuffed mushrooms!
  
  
• Oven Roasted Mushrooms With Eggplant: For veggie overload, try our eggplant bake and roasted mushrooms!
  
  
• Dinner In A Pinch: If you're looking for a 30-minute meal sure to satisfy, try our high protein meal featuring mushrooms!
  
  
• BBQ Nut-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: If you're ready for a grillable side or main dish, you've got to try our grilled portobello mushrooms! 

If you're looking for dietary support to help you adopt a plant-based diet, grab a copy of our Vegan eBook, and we've got you covered! You'll find our Vegan Quiche recipe inside, along with many other recipes that feature the mighty mushroom!

Eating Mushrooms Is Part Of A Healthy Diet

Who doesn't want to live a healthy life? As BodyRockers, we know that diet is just as important to your overall wellness as regular exercise, so when studies like this one emerge that show a strong correlation between better health and eating something as readily available as mushrooms, we're all over it! 

REFERENCES

https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-021-00691-8 

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-mushrooms-good-for-you#Nutritional-benefits-of-eating-mushrooms