I've talked about the benefits of nitrate-rich vegetables for improving cognitive function.

Do any other vegetables stand out?

Mushrooms aren't a class of their own.

Literally.

In fact, a kingdom of their own belonging to the fungi rather than plant kingdom.

Epidemiological studies in Japan, Singapore, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United States

have found associations between mushroom consumption and superior cognitive function. Compared to people who don't eat mushrooms, those in the highest category of mushroom intake

in the U.S. had a higher performance on various cognitive tests, and that highest intake

was only averaging about one mushroom a day. This result appeared to be independent

of other dietary and lifestyle factors, the researchers

suggested it may be the unique mushroom antioxidant ergothionine that I've profiled previously.

And indeed, a study out of France found blood ergothyanine levels associated with lower

odds of cognitive decline.

The U.S. research team suggested that regular mushroom consumption may reduce the risk of cognitive

decline, but it was just a cross-sectional snapshot in time, so you don't know which came first.

Japanese researchers performed a prospective study following more than 10,000 men and women aged 65 and older for about six years.

In that time, about 1 and 12, was diagnosed

with dementia. What seemed to lower risk of falling into that faction? Mushroom consumption.

Compared to those who ate mushrooms less than once a week, those who ate mushrooms three

or more times a week, had a 19% lower chance of becoming demented. The cross-sectional study in Singapore found 57% lower odds of having cognitive impairment

among those eating more than two portions a week.

As always, though, cause and effect can only be established with interventional trials.

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