Diet expert Professor Tim Spector has singled out a 'nutritional powerhouse' packed with vital vitamins like B and D. The King's College London genetic epidemiology professor, who also co-founded the Zoe health app, has detailed how this superfood can boost mental health, fortify immune systems, and cut down the risk of cancer and dementia. On the Zoe podcast, where he appeared with fungi expert Merlin Sheldrake, Prof Spector recommended adding this food to our daily meals.
Merlin pointed out that in certain countries, mushrooms are even used alongside standard cancer therapies: "In Japan, there's a chemical from shiitake mushrooms, which is used very widely for treating cancer alongside more conventional cancer treatments." He continued: "And some of the reasons why those are not used so widely here is because it's not totally clear how they're working, although it seems to be very clear that they work. Fungi are metabolically ingenious.
They're chemical wizards. They can produce all sorts of fascinating chemicals." The NHS suggests taking vitamin D every day, as new studies show it could greatly lower the chances of developing dementia – and mushrooms are an outstanding natural source.
Prof Spector has recommended a hearty dose of mushrooms in your diet, suggesting an ideal daily intake but at least thrice weekly to truly benefit your health. "I would say Try and get some mushrooms in every day if you can at least three times a week. Most of the studies done for preventin.