The Rural Development Administration has been focusing on the development of the yellow oyster mushroom, a variety known for its potential health benefits, including blood pressure reduction and immunity enhancement. This mushroom, predominantly cultivated in Korea, East Asia, and Russia, has garnered attention for its vascular health advantages.
A study conducted by a research team from Kumamoto University, Japan, published in "npj Aging," explored the health impacts of the yellow oyster mushroom, often referred to as the "longevity mushroom." Under the supervision of Professor Yuichi Oike, the study involved feeding yellow oyster mushroom powder to a group of mice and monitoring their heart health over 12 months. Each mouse in the experimental group received approximately 9g of mushroom powder per kilogram of body weight daily, while the control group was fed regular feed without the mushroom powder.
The findings revealed that mice consuming the mushroom powder exhibited enhanced heart function and a decrease in diastolic dysfunction associated with aging, compared to the control group. Notably, the mushroom-fed mice showed a reduction in hypertrophic response, a common issue in heart failure progression with aging. Additionally, these mice demonstrated improved exercise capacity and a 20% increase in the volume of blood pumped with each heartbeat.
The research attributes these health benefits to ergothioneine, an antioxidant present in high concentrations in the yellow oyster mushroom. Ergothioneine is believed to boost the expression of antioxidant enzymes and mitigate damage caused by reactive oxygen species in tissues. Despite these promising results, the study acknowledges the need for further research to confirm the applicability of these findings to humans, considering the substantial quantity of mushrooms consumed by the mice.
Dr. Robert Beelman, a researcher from Penn State University not involved in the study, commented on the necessity of cautious interpretation of results from mouse studies when applying them to humans. Nonetheless, he recognized the accumulating evidence supporting ergothioneine's health-promoting properties, potentially categorizing it as a "longevity nutrient."
Source: Chosun Biz