Ergothioneine, often referred to as the “longevity vitamin,” has emerged as a promising antioxidant in the anti-aging field. Anti-aging strategies include both comprehensive approaches—such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, combating cellular senescence, and improving immune function—and organ-targeted approaches, focusing on skin, muscles, brain, gut, and heart health. As a natural source of ergothioneine, mushrooms have gained increasing attention from both consumers and companies due to their immune-enhancing and cognitive-supporting properties. In recent years, mushrooms have shown strong performance in both the dietary supplement and snack markets.
The Mushroom Family and Market Trends
Mushrooms are widely cultivated around the world, with high yield and consumption, offering rich nutrition and health benefits. Common mushrooms include Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps militaris, Tremella, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Enoki, and Agaricus blazei.
According to SPINS data, in the 52 weeks ending October 6, 2024, mushrooms ranked 8th in sales in the cognitive health category across mainstream multi-channels, generating $6.716 million, a growth of 133.3%; and in the natural channel functional ingredient category, mushrooms achieved $24.418 million in sales, ranking 14th with a year-over-year growth of 19.1%. In the 52 weeks ending March 23, 2025, the snack submarket based on mushrooms grew by 17% in sales.
Anti-Aging Mechanisms of Mushrooms
Immune support and cognitive enhancement are the primary benefits of mushrooms, which also explain the recent surge in their sales. SPINS data show mushrooms ranked first in functional ingredients in the natural channel cognitive health category, with sales reaching $12.668 million, a 28.6% increase; mushrooms also entered the top 10 in natural channel immune health category with $7.314 million in sales.
1) Immune Support
Immune support is one of the core benefits of mushrooms. When the immune system is challenged, bioactive compounds in mushrooms modulate the expression of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and cell survival by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby resolving acute inflammation and activating the immune system. β-glucans, as natural dietary fibers in mushrooms, play an important role in immune support, working synergistically with other nutrients to help regulate immune function, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels, and protect cardiovascular health.
2) Cognitive Enhancement
Mushrooms are rich in potent antioxidants such as ergothioneine, glutathione, and vitamin D, which may underlie their neuroprotective properties. Studies indicate that elderly individuals with higher mushroom intake scored higher in digital symbol substitution tests and Alzheimer’s word learning assessments compared to those with lower intake, suggesting that regular mushroom consumption may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
3) Gut Health Maintenance
Mushrooms are a valuable source of prebiotics, including polyphenols, oligosaccharides, and fibers, which enhance the metabolic activity of beneficial gut microbiota. Polysaccharides and peptides in mushrooms are resistant to digestion by pathogens, thereby inhibiting pathogen proliferation and reshaping gut microbiota composition.
Diagram: Mushroom-based diet enhancing gut microbiota
From boosting immune function to anti-aging, medicinal mushrooms have been found to provide numerous health and longevity benefits. Among them, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) stands out for its high ergothioneine content and other bioactive compounds, showing more pronounced cognitive and anti-aging effects.
Lion’s Mane: A Representative Anti-Aging Mushroom
Lion’s Mane is one of China’s eight “mountain treasures,” with a history of over 3,000 years of consumption. It is also a traditional Chinese medicinal ingredient, known for nourishing the body, aiding digestion, and supporting the five internal organs. It can be used as a dietary supplement to enhance immunity or as a medicinal product to improve indigestion, gastrointestinal ulcers, inflammation, and other conditions.
1) Lifespan Extension
Erinacine A, a cyathane diterpenoid found exclusively in Lion’s Mane mycelium, exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase expression and nitrotyrosine formation, supporting longevity. Studies show that Lion’s Mane mycelium can extend lifespan in a dose-dependent manner. Female and male fruit flies fed 1.05 mg/mL mycelium had an average lifespan increase of 23% and 30%, respectively. Female mice fed 431 mg/kg mycelium had an 18% lifespan increase, while males had a 20% increase. In addition, Lion’s Mane mycelium enhances endogenous antioxidant activity without affecting body weight or food intake.
2) Delaying Brain Aging
Lion’s Mane extracts are rich in ergothioneine, which can prevent brain aging. Animal studies show that supplementation with Lion’s Mane primordium after 14 months significantly inhibited cognitive decline in wild-type mice at 20 and 23 months of age. The primordium reduces inflammation (IL-6, TGF-β1, GFAP), decreases oxidative stress (Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2), and increases glutamatergic receptor expression (NMDAR1, mGluR2), thereby preventing cognitive decline, mitigating age-related brain damage, and improving lifespan or quality of life.
References:
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Singh, A.; Saini, R.K.; Kumar, A.; Chawla, P.; Kaushik, R. Mushrooms as Nutritional Powerhouses: A Review of Their Bioactive Compounds, Health Benefits, and Value-Added Products. Foods 2025, 14, 741.
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Bell, V.; Silva, C.R.P.G.; Guina, J.; et al. Mushrooms as Future Generation Healthy Foods. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022, 9.
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Li, I.C.; Lee, L-Y.; Chen, Y-J.; et al. Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia promotes longevity in Drosophila melanogaster and aged mice. PLoS One, 2019, 14(5).
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Roda, E.; De Luca, F.; Ratto, D.; Priori, E.C.; Savino, E.; Bottone, M.G.; Rossi, P. Cognitive Healthy Aging in Mice: Boosting Memory by an Ergothioneine-Rich Hericium erinaceus Primordium Extract. Biology, 2023, 12, 196.
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