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Erg8.0
Ergothioneine Research
Probably helpsHigh safety
32 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Probably helps
Ergothioneine helped in about half (2/3) of the studies that measured an effect — promising, but not unanimous.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2006–2026 with a typical study size of 20 participants.
Based on 32 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 7 RCTs · 45,206 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
2helped1unclear· 29 more without graded effect data
20 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200620162026
1All-cause mortalityMeta-AnalysisCited 17×n=30,378 · very large study2021
In a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, mushroom consumption was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality.
Ba DM et al. · Nutrition journal (2021)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, including 601,893 individuals, showed that mushroom consumption was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (pooled risk ratio: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91, 0.98).
2Exercise performance and recoverySystematic ReviewCited 3×2025
Nevertheless, supplementation with anserine and ergothioneine shows promise for enhancing physical performance and recovery, though further research is required to better understand their mechanisms and optimize their use in sports and exercise.
Jędrejko M et al. · Nutrients (2025)
Although balenine has been less extensively studied, it has shown promise in enhancing muscle regeneration and antioxidative defense in animal models.
Ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing histidine derivative, displayed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in both animal and human studies, suggesting its potential role in reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and aiding recovery.
The diversity of the presented studies and their limitations do not provide an opportunity to confirm the ergogenic properties of the histidine-containing compounds studied.
Xu R et al. · International journal of impotence research (2025)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
On the other hand, reverse Mendelian randomisation analysis showed that erectile dysfunction reduced serum homocitrulline levels (0.99 (0.97-1.00), P = 0.0360).
On this basis, this study provides a new direction of thinking and strong evidence for the therapeutic application and adjunctive diagnosis of serum metabolites in erectile dysfunction, and provides a certain reference value for subsequent related studies.
4Cellular senescence and age-related diseasesSystematic ReviewCited 14×2025
Moreover, recent advancements in SIRT6-regulated compounds (e.g., C3G, BZBS, Fisetin, FNDC5, Lycorine hydrochloride, and Ergothioneine) are discussed as potential therapeutic agents for these mediated diseases.
Lu Y et al. · Advanced biology (2025)
Furthermore, SIRT6 promotes autophagy, slowing cellular senescence via the modulation of various signaling pathways, including AMPK, IGF-Akt-mTOR, H133Y, IL-1β, and mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins.
Finally, SIRT6 regulates multiple signaling pathways, such asNF-κB, FOXO, and AMPK, to counteract the aging process.
Moreover, recent advancements in SIRT6-regulated compounds (e.g., C3G, BZBS, Fisetin, FNDC5, Lycorine hydrochloride, and Ergothioneine) are discussed as potential therapeutic agents for these mediated diseases.
5Metabolic regulation, endothelial protection, and neurodegenerationSystematic ReviewCited 3×2025
Clinical and preclinical studies have indicated its involvement in metabolic regulation, endothelial protection, and attenuation of neurodegeneration, further reinforcing its significance as a func...
Syahputra RA et al. · The Journal of nutritional biochemistry (2025)
Clinical and preclinical studies have indicated its involvement in metabolic regulation, endothelial protection, and attenuation of neurodegeneration, further reinforcing its significance as a functional nutraceutical agent.
This review provides a comprehensive analysis of EGT, including its biosynthesis, dietary sources, absorption mechanisms, and metabolism, and elucidates its therapeutic potential and mechanistic underpinnings for disease prevention and management.
By summarizing recent advances in EGT research, this review aims to guide future investigations and support its broader application in clinical and nutritional sciences.
6Therapeutic effects on metabolic diseasesSystematic ReviewCited 6×2025
The unique chemical properties and biological functions of EGT position it as a promising candidate for the research and treatment of metabolic diseases.
Wen T et al. · The Journal of nutritional biochemistry (2025)
The unique chemical properties and biological functions of EGT position it as a promising candidate for the research and treatment of metabolic diseases.
This review summarizes EGT's capacities, potential therapeutic effects on multiple metabolic diseases, and their specific mechanisms.
Finally, we outline challenges for future research on EGT and aspire to establish it as a prospective therapeutic agent for metabolic diseases.
By contrast, α-tocopherol has demonstrated in vivo antioxidant effects in humans.
Halliwell B et al. · Annual review of food science and technology (2023)
The various possible functions of ET in vivo are explored.
Much emphasis has been placed on the antioxidant properties of ET, but although these are well established in vitro, the evidence that antioxidant activity is the principal function of ET in vivo is weak.
ET is not unique in this: The evidence for the antioxidant roles of vitamin C and polyphenols such as the flavonoids in vivo is also weak.
8Antioxidant effects on chronic diseases and agingSystematic ReviewCited 1,420×2023
This systematic-review examined the effects of Ergothioneine.
Jomova K et al. · Archives of toxicology (2023)
Perhaps one of the most effective low molecular weight antioxidants is vitamin E, the first line of defense against the peroxidation of lipids.
A promising approach appears to be the use of certain antioxidants (e.g. flavonoids), showing weak prooxidant properties that may boost cellular antioxidant systems and thus act as preventive anticancer agents.
Redox metal-based enzyme mimetic compounds as potential pharmaceutical interventions and sirtuins as promising therapeutic targets for age-related diseases and anti-aging strategies are discussed.
We comment on some of the outstanding research questions in the field and consider the question of whether or not ergothioneine should be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient.
Tian X et al. · The British journal of nutrition (2023)
Conversely, high plasma ergothioneine levels have been associated with significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality and overall mortality risks.
In humans, blood levels of ergothioneine decline after the age of 60 years, and lower levels of ergothioneine are associated with more rapid cognitive decline.
In this horizon’s manuscript, we review evidence suggesting critical roles for dietary ergothioneine in healthy ageing and the prevention of cardiometabolic disease.
10Cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=19 · very small study2025
Takhor NH et al. · Inflammopharmacology (2025)
Mechanisms of ET in improving cognitive function and preventing ARND were found to be through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antisenescence properties.
Its role in neurotransmission and neuroprotection also contributed to improving cognition and preventing ARND.
In conclusion, ET is a potential compound to be explored as its role in cognition and ARND have been discovered through several studies.
11Cognitive decline and frailty markersSystematic ReviewCited 25×2022
Using these opposing dementia markers, not only diagnosis, but also therapeutic interventions to mitigate cognitive decline may now become possible.
Kondoh H et al. · FEBS letters (2022)
In frail elderly people, whose ageing organs undergo functional decline, there is a correlation between ergothioneine levels and cognitive, but not skeletal muscle decline.
In patients suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease with hippocampal atrophy, deteriorating cognitive ability is correlated with declining ergothioneine levels.
S-methyl-ergothioneine, trimethyl-histidine and three other trimethyl-ammonium compounds also decrease sharply in dementia, whereas compounds such as indoxyl-sulfate and quinolinic acid increase, possibly exacerbating the disease.
Nakamichi N et al. · Neurochemical research (2022)
ERGO exerts a protective effect against various neurotoxins and improves the symptoms of cognitive impairment, depression, and epilepsy in animal models.
The promotion of neurogenesis and induction of neurotrophic factors, in addition to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of ERGO.
This review shows the association between ERGO and CNS diseases, discusses the possible biomarkers of peripheral ERGO in CNS diseases, and the possible preventive and improvement effects of ERGO on CNS diseases.
13Biological significance of histidine-derived alkaloidsSystematic ReviewCited 13×2022
The history, chemistry, biology, and biosynthesis of the globally occurring histidine-derived alkaloids ergothioneine (10), ovothiol A (11), and selenoneine (12) are reviewed comparatively and their significance to human well-being is discussed.
Cordell GA et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2022)
The history, chemistry, biology, and biosynthesis of the globally occurring histidine-derived alkaloids ergothioneine (10), ovothiol A (11), and selenoneine (12) are reviewed comparatively and their significance to human well-being is discussed.
14Chronic disease and premature aging riskSystematic ReviewCited 184×2018
Because nutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in the United States (and elsewhere), appropriate supplementation and/or an improved diet could reduce much of the consequent risk of chronic disease and premature aging.
Ames BN · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2018)
Impairment of the function of longevity proteins results in an insidious acceleration of the risk of diseases associated with aging.
I also propose that nutrients required for the function of longevity proteins constitute a class of vitamins that are here named "longevity vitamins." I suggest that many such nutrients play a dual role for both survival and longevity.
Because nutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in the United States (and elsewhere), appropriate supplementation and/or an improved diet could reduce much of the consequent risk of chronic disease and premature aging.
15Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of ergothioneineSystematic ReviewCited 173×2020
It has been passed as safe by regulatory agencies, and may have value as a nutraceutical and antioxidant more generally.
Borodina I et al. · Nutrition research reviews (2020)
ERG accumulates differentially in various tissues, according to their expression of SLC22A4, favouring those such as erythrocytes that may be subject to oxidative stress.
Mushroom or ERG consumption seems to provide significant prevention against oxidative stress in a large variety of systems.
ERG seems to have strong cytoprotective status, and its concentration is lowered in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases.
16Clinical efficacy of antioxidants in human diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 37×2020
I also review the roles of diet-derived antioxidants in relation to human disease, presenting reasons why clinical trials using high doses of natural antioxidants have generally given disappointing...
Halliwell B · Free radical biology & medicine (2020)
I also review the roles of diet-derived antioxidants in relation to human disease, presenting reasons why clinical trials using high doses of natural antioxidants have generally given disappointing results.
Iron chelators and ergothioneine are reviewed as potential cytoprotective agents with antioxidant properties that may be useful therapeutically.
The discovery of ferroptosis may also lead to novel agents that can be used to treat certain diseases.
17Structural basis of ergothioneine biosynthesisSystematic ReviewCited 46×2020
The precise role of ergothioneine is not yet known but there is growing evidence that it plays a role as an antioxidant protecting human cells from oxidative stress and pathogenic bacteria from hos...
Stampfli AR et al. · Current opinion in structural biology (2020)
The precise role of ergothioneine is not yet known but there is growing evidence that it plays a role as an antioxidant protecting human cells from oxidative stress and pathogenic bacteria from host defenses.
In this review we highlight recent advances in understanding the structural basis of ergothioneine biosynthesis.
In addition to unusual carbon-sulfur bond forming enzymology this research has revealed that ergothioneine biosynthesis has emerged at least three times by independent molecular evolution.
18Ergothioneine roles in human health and diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 206×2018
This brief Review explores the possible roles of ergothioneine in human health and disease.
Halliwell B et al. · FEBS letters (2018)
Ergothioneine is not rapidly metabolised, or excreted in urine and is present in many, if not all, human tissues and body fluids.
Ergothioneine has powerful antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in vitro and there is evidence that the body may concentrate it at sites of tissue injury by raising OCTN1 levels.
Decreased blood and/or plasma levels of ergothioneine have been observed in some diseases, suggesting that a deficiency could be relevant to the disease onset or progression.
Conclusions: Further research will focus on developing methods for extracting H. coralloides metabolites and assessing their biopotential in vivo and clinical studies.
Chekushkina D et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Market analysis revealed that most dietary supplements contain fungal mycelium or its extract.
It is preferable to use pure metabolites of H. coralloides as nutrients in dietary supplements and functional foods, since it allows the scientists to standardize their doses, target the therapeutic effect (immunity, neuroprotection, or antitumor), and reduce the required intake of the product.
Since this fungus is a rare species in nature, its biomass should be grown in vitro for industrial use.
20Antioxidant therapeutic targets in COPDSystematic ReviewCited 68×2006
Various approaches to enhance lung antioxidant capacity and clinical trials of antioxidant compounds in COPD are discussed.
Rahman I et al. · Current drug targets (2006)
Since a variety of oxidants, free radicals and aldehydes are implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD it is possible that therapeutic administration of multiple antioxidants will be effective in the treatment of COPD.
Various approaches to enhance lung antioxidant capacity and clinical trials of antioxidant compounds in COPD are discussed.