Effects of Consuming Ultraviolet Light-Exposed Mushrooms on Self-Reported Indices of Brain Health and Performance-Based Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

<b>Objectives</b>: Accumulating clinical evidence from experimental and observational studies with humans suggests that edible mushrooms may have beneficial effects on markers of brain health. This study examined the effects of daily consumption of fresh <i>Agaricus bisporus</i> (cremini mushrooms) exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light on indices of anxiety, depression, mood, cognitive function, and well-being in middle-aged and older adults. <b>Methods</b>: Over a 6-week period, adults (<i>n</i> = 41 (19 M/22 F), age 43 ± 11 y; BMI 29.8 ± 5.9 kg/m², mean ± SD) without severe depression, cardiovascular disease, or Type 2 Diabetes consumed two daily servings (168 g/d wet weight) of cremini mushrooms intended to provide 400 IU/serving (800 IU/d) of vitamin D₂ (<i>n</i> = 20) or 2 tsp/d of breadcrumbs (control, <i>n</i> = 21). Assessments conducted at baseline and week 6 included General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF36v2). <b>Results</b>: Consuming UV light-exposed mushrooms did not improve brain health outcomes. Independent of mushroom consumption, over time, there were improvements in immediate memory (RBANS), language (RBANS), and depression (BDI-II and PHQ-9). <b>Conclusions</b>: There were no differences observed between groups in the investigated indices of brain health. However, improvements over time were observed in Beck's Depression Inventory and the Immediate Memory and Language domains in the RBANS, independent of mushroom consumption. Overall, consuming 2 servings/d of UV-exposed mushrooms for six weeks may not improve indices of brain health.