Mushrooms could help fight ageing, boost health

Free radicals are oxygen atoms with unpaired electrons that cause damage to cells

Mushrooms may contain unusually high amounts of antioxidants which could help fight ageing and bolster health, a study claims.

Researchers found that mushrooms have high amounts of  ergothioneine and glutathione, both important antioxidants.

“What we found is that, without a doubt, mushrooms are highest dietary source of these two antioxidants taken together, and that some types are really packed with both of them,” said Robert Beelman, professor at Pennsylvania State University in the US. He said when body uses food to produce energy, it also causes oxidative stress because some free radicals are produced.

Free radicals are oxygen atoms with unpaired electrons that