Golden oyster mushrooms growing on a fallen log in Iowa
Katie Flenker / Alamy
Regularly eating golden oyster mushrooms protected heart health and promoted longevity in mice.
Golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) – fungi native to parts of Russia, China and Japan – are one of the richest natural sources of an antioxidant called ergothioneine. Studies in humans have shown the compound is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and premature death. These findings rely on observational data, however, so it isn’t clear whether ergothioneine is driving the health benefits.