Getting Moody with Mushrooms
Mood improvement and greater cognition with mushrooms through the gut? Yes indeed. The gut-brain-axis is a term consumers are getting to know. They understand that the bacteria residing in their digestive tract is associated with cognition and mental health, especially mood improvement.
Sales of products aimed at supporting the function of the gut-brain-axis through balancing the microbiome have seen an upsurge. According to data from Innova Market Insights supplement launches supporting the gut-brain axis experienced a 25% average annual growth between April 2019 and March 2024. Within this category, brain-mood health was the most popular target.
According to Nutrition Business Journal’s Condition Specific Report 2024, “Mood and Mental Health finds itself in a Top 5 growth position in all but one of the nine years tracked.”
The state of one’s gut-brain-axis has a large influence on mental health and cognitive functions. The gut-brain axis is described as a bidirectional communication network between the central nervous system/brain and the gastrointestinal tract. Continuing research is demonstrating how the gut microbiota impacts mental health, mood and cognition.
The key is to create a balanced microbiota by stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria and enhancing gut health, and prebiotics are being shown in studies to accomplish this. Some studies have found that prebiotics can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Recent scientific evidence has shown that much of the “feel good” neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are produced in the gut by resident bacteria. Metabolites of the gut bacteria also affect brain function by modulating stress response.
But this can all go awry when dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria content) is present. Dysbiosis occurs through a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, high stress and even through some medications. Research shows that dysbiosis is strongly associated with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Probiotics and prebiotics are being more seriously explored as an avenue to support mental health through the gut-brain axis via nourishing the microbiome. There is mounting evidence that supplementing with probiotics and prebiotics can improve mood and cognitive function by helping to restore microbiome balance, which strengthens the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain.
Fibers such as inulin, fructoologisaccharides and galactoolisgosaccharides are known to be prebiotics. But … so are mushrooms! Mushrooms are an excellent source of prebiotics through their rich content of beta-glucans, chitin, and other polysaccharides.
In summary, mushrooms are good mood food!
