An Assessment of Mushroom Consumption on Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Factors and Morbidities in Humans: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Mushrooms, unique edible fungi, contain several essential nutrients and bioactive compounds which may positively influence cardiometabolic health. Despite a long history of consumption, the health benefits of mushrooms are not well documented. We conducted a systematic review to assess the effects of and associations between mushroom consumption and cardiometabolic disease (CMD)-related risk factors and morbidities/mortality. We identified 22 articles (11 experimental and 11 observational) from five databases meeting our inclusion criteria. Limited evidence from experimental research suggests mushroom consumption improves serum/plasma triglycerides and hs-CRP, but not other lipids, lipoproteins, measures of glucose control (fasting glucose and HbA1c), or blood pressure. Limited evidence from observational research (seven of 11 articles with a posteriori assessments) suggests no association between mushroom consumption and fasting blood total or LDL cholesterol, glucose, or morbidity/mortality from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Other CMD health outcomes were deemed either inconsistent (blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) or insufficient (HbA1c/hyperglycemia, hs-CRP, cerebrovascular disease, and stroke). The majority of the articles vetted were rated “poor” using the NHLBI study quality assessment tool due to study methodology and/or poor reporting issues. While new, high-quality experimental and observational research is warranted, limited experimental findings suggest greater mushroom consumption lowers blood triglycerides and hs-CRP, indices of cardiometabolic health.

Negative Regulation of Innate Immune Signaling by Components of the Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus

“…Although the anti‐tumor roles of mushroom‐derived polysaccharides receives much attention, [ 3 ] this work joins more recent studies examining the potential of mushroom‐derived compounds to attenuate inflammation in disease. In particular, recent work on A. bisporus ‐derived powders or extracts has shown reduced TLR4 expression and NLRP3‐activity in mouse models of fibrosis, [ 19 ] alveolar macrophage activation by LPS in pigs [ 20 ] and improved cognitive function and reduced disease in transgenic mice modeling Alzheimer's disease. [ 21 ] Similarly, non‐immune cells and tissues could also represent targets for the anti‐inflammatory properties of A. bisporus compounds, with a recent study demonstrating reduced IL6 production from CACO‐2 epithelial cell culture after A. bisporus treatment.…”

Efficacy and Safety of S1P1 Receptor Modulator Drugs for Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis

“…Immune cell trafficking is a crucial component of the intestinal immune response [56][57][58][59][60][61][62]. Adhesion molecules, chemoattractants, receptors on immune cell surfaces, blood vessels, and stromal intestinal tissue, as well as signaling pathways, particularly those S1Pmodulated ones, are all involved in this process.…”

Shared Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management

“…We used the Quality Assessment Tool for Controlled Intervention Studies Criteria (eMethods 2 and eTable 1 in Supplement 1) developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . This tool addresses 14 elements of quality and risk assessment, which provides an overall rating of good, fair, or poor based on critical appraisal of characteristics relevant to high-quality research studies . Two researchers independently assessed each article, and a third researcher evaluated any discrepancies in the cross-check for consensus.…”

“…12 This tool addresses 14 elements of quality and risk assessment, which provides an overall rating of good, fair, or poor based on critical appraisal of characteristics relevant to high-quality research studies. 13 Two researchers independently assessed each article, and a third researcher evaluated any discrepancies in the cross-check for consensus.…”