Ergothioneine, also known as the longevity vitamin, has become a dark horse in the anti-aging field due to its strong antioxidant properties. Anti-aging includes comprehensive anti-aging (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, resistance to cell aging and immune improvement) and targeted organ anti-aging (skin, muscle, brain, intestines and heart, etc.). As a natural source of ergothioneine, mushrooms have attracted more attention from businesses and consumers due to their outstanding immune improvement and cognitive health support. In recent years, they have performed well in the fields of health care material products and snacks.
According to SPINS data, in the 52 weeks ending October 6, 2024, mushrooms ranked 8th in sales in the cognitive health category of mainstream multi-channels (US$6.716 million), an increase of 133.3%; and ranked 14th in the functional ingredients of the natural channel with sales of US$24.418 million, a year-on-year increase of 19.1%. In the 52 weeks ending March 23, 2025, sales of snacks using mushrooms as raw materials increased by 17%.
A large mushroom family
Mushrooms are the most widely cultivated, high-yield, and most consumed edible fungi in the world. They are delicious, nutritious, and beneficial to human health. Commonly used mushrooms include Ganoderma lucidum, Versicolor, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps sinensis, Tremella fuciformis, Hericium erinaceus, Chaga, Enoki mushroom, Agaricus blazei, etc.
Anti-aging mechanism of mushrooms
Immune support and cognitive enhancement are the main functions of mushrooms, and are also the main reasons for the surge in mushroom sales in recent years. According to SPINS data, mushrooms ranked first in the list of functional ingredients in the cognitive health category of the natural channel, with sales of US$12.668 million, an increase of 28.6%; and entered the top 10 in the immune health category of the natural channel with sales of US$7.314 million.
1) Immune support
Immune support is one of the core benefits of mushrooms. When the immune system is challenged, the bioactive compounds of mushrooms control the expression of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and cell survival by inhibiting the NF-κb signaling pathway, thereby achieving the resolution of acute inflammation and the activation of the immune system. β-glucan, as a natural dietary fiber present in mushrooms, plays an important role in immune support and can work synergistically with other nutrients to help regulate immune system function, regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and protect the health of the cardiovascular system.
2) Cognitive enhancement
Mushrooms are rich in powerful anti-oxidant raw material ergothioneine and glutathione as well as vitamin D, which may be the main reason for their neuroprotective properties. Studies have shown that compared with elderly people with low mushroom intake, elderly people with high mushroom intake have higher scores in the digital symbol replacement test and Alzheimer's word learning, suggesting that regular consumption of mushrooms may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
3) Improved Digestion Ingredients
Mushrooms are a valuable source of prebiotics, including polyphenols, oligosaccharides and fiber, which can enhance the metabolic activity of beneficial members of the intestinal flora. The polysaccharides and peptides contained in mushrooms are not easily digested by pathogens, so they can prevent the proliferation of pathogens and thus change the intestinal flora.
From boosting the immune system to fighting aging, medicinal mushrooms have been found to have many health and longevity benefits. Among them, Hericium erinaceus has more significant cognitive and anti-aging properties due to its rich content of ergothioneine and other bioactive substances.
Anti-aging representative - Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus is one of the eight "mountain treasures" in China, and has a history of more than 3,000 years of consumption in my country. It is also a traditional Chinese medicinal material in my country, with the functions of nourishing and strengthening the body, aiding digestion, and benefiting the five internal organs. It can be used as a health food to enhance human immunity or as a medicine to improve indigestion, gastrointestinal ulcers, inflammation and other diseases.
1) Prolong lifespan
Erinacine A is a cyanoditerpene that only exists in the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus. It exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the expression of NO synthase and the production of nitrotyrosine, which helps to prolong life. Studies have shown that Hericium erinaceus mycelium can prolong lifespan in a dose-dependent manner. When 1.05 mg/mL of Hericium erinaceus mycelium was ingested, the average lifespan of female and male fruit flies increased significantly, by 23% and 30%, respectively. When 431 mg/kg of Hericium erinaceus mycelium was ingested, the average lifespan of female mice increased by 18%, while that of male mice increased by 20%. In addition, Hericium erinaceus mycelium can enhance the activity of antioxidant substances in the body without affecting the body weight and food intake of the ingestor.
2) Delay brain aging
Hericium erinaceus extract is rich in ergothioneine, and consumption can prevent brain aging. Animal test results showed that after 14 months of age, supplementation with Hericium erinaceus primordium significantly inhibited the cognitive deterioration of wild-type mice at 20 and 23 months of age. Hericium erinaceus prevents cognitive decline and slows down brain damage caused by age by reducing inflammatory response (IL-6, TGF-β1, GFAP), reducing oxidative stress (Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2), and increasing glutamate receptors (NMDAR1, mGluR2), thereby prolonging life or improving the quality of life.