A natural source of ergothioneine, this anti-aging food has sales of over 10 million US dollars!
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 merchants and consumers due to their outstanding immune improvement and cognitive health support. In recent years, they have performed well in the fields of health 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, the sales of snacks using mushrooms as raw materials increased by 17%.
1. A large mushroom family
Mushrooms are the most widely cultivated, high-yield, and highly consumed edible mushrooms in the world. They are delicious, nutritious, and beneficial to human health. Commonly used mushrooms include Ganoderma lucidum, Yunzhi, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps sinensis, Tremella, Hericium erinaceus, Chaga, Enoki mushroom, Agaricus blazei, etc.
2. Anti-aging mechanism of mushrooms
Immune support and cognitive enhancement are the main effects of mushrooms, and are also the main reasons for the surge in sales of mushrooms 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 effects 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 body's acute inflammation and activation of the immune system. β-glucan, as a natural dietary fiber found 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 antioxidants 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) Maintaining intestinal health
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 pathogen proliferation and thus change the intestinal flora.
From strengthening 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 improvement and anti-aging properties due to its rich content of ergothioneine and other bioactive substances.
3. Anti-aging representative - Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus is one of the eight "mountain treasures" in China and has a history of consumption in my country for more than 3,000 years. It is also a traditional Chinese medicinal material 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 life
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 life and is dose-dependent. When 1.05mg/mL of Hericium erinaceus mycelium is ingested, the average lifespan of female and male fruit flies is significantly increased, by 23% and 30%, respectively. When 431mg/kg of Hericium erinaceus mycelium is ingested, the average lifespan of female mice increases by 18%, and that of male mice increases 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）Delaying brain aging
Hericium erinaceus extract is rich in ergothioneine, and consumption can prevent brain aging. Animal test results show that after 14 months of age, supplementation with Hericium erinaceus primordium significantly inhibited the cognitive degeneration of wild-type mice at 20 and 23 months of age. Hericium erinaceus primordium prevents cognitive decline by reducing inflammatory response (IL-6, TGF-β1, GFAP), reducing oxidative stress (Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2), and increasing glutamate receptors (NMDAR1, mGluR2), slowing down brain damage caused by age, thereby prolonging life or improving quality of life.