Mushrooms are having a moment. From Lion’s Mane to Chaga, it almost seems like mushroom extracts and supplements are everywhere. Due to certain health benefits, mushroom coffee has become a popular alternative for those who’d like to stay away from the regular cup of joe.
For some, the idea of mushroom coffee sounds pretty unappetizing and maybe even revolting. But the mushroom coffee trend is going strong.
The question is, Why? Is mushroom coffee something you should be drinking, and what are the benefits of mushroom coffee? Here’s everything you need to know about this fascinating health trend.
What is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is made by first liquifying medicinal mushrooms and then drying their key constituents. Then, these isolated parts are ground up into a powder.
Mushroom coffee is powdered, regular coffee plus these powdered, medicinal mushrooms. It’s a soluble beverage that actually has a smooth, earthy, and warm taste.
All you do is pour the packet into your favorite mug, add hot water, and enjoy.
Mushroom Coffee Benefits
The mushrooms used in coffee aren’t the psychedelic type, so don’t worry – you won’t be tripping anytime soon. Instead, the mushroom varieties in coffee are said to provide amazing health benefits.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been using medicinal mushrooms for thousands of years to address various health complaints. Modern research shows that medicinal mushrooms can increase immune function, reduce blood pressure, fight cancer, reduce cholesterol, enhance cognitive function, and reduce anxiety.
To be clear, though, there haven’t been many research studies examining the health benefits of mushroom coffee on human subjects. And a lot of the studies that have been done haven’t been replicated yet. So, the research is limited but still growing.
So, is mushroom coffee good for you? Let’s take a look at some of the most common fungi that show up in coffee.
Remember, many of the listed health benefits are attributed to the benefits of medicinal mushrooms. In some cases, there is research to back these health claims.
Health Benefits Attributed to Cordyceps
- Supports energy
- May boost stamina and athletic performance, according to this study
- May provide anti-aging properties
- May help manage diabetes
- Contains antioxidant properties, which help to fight free radicals and prevent oxidative stress and damage. These properties become increasingly relevant as we age, especially since they help to fight against chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- May support cardiovascular health
- May have anti-tumor activity
- Rich in polysaccharides, which act as prebiotics inside the digestive system. This, in turn, boosts digestion, metabolism, weight, blood glucose levels, and so much more.
- May fight inflammation in the body
Health Benefits Attributed to Chaga
- May boost stamina and physical endurance
- Stimulates the immune system
- May help prevent cancer. Chaga mushrooms have been noted to have antitumor and anti-cancer properties. In fact, one study found that chaga mushroom properties can stall colon cancer cell growth.
- Provides antioxidant properties
- May offer anti-viral benefits
- May help reduce inflammation
- Be aware that chaga mushrooms have a blood-thinning effect and should be avoided before surgery. They may also interact with blood thinning medication and blood pressure medication.
Health Benefits Attributed to Lion’s Mane
- Immune boosting properties
- May have anti-cancer activity
- May protect against memory loss
- May reduce feelings of anxiety and depression
- May reduce the risk of heart disease
- May sharpen concentration
- Provides antioxidant properties, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
- May improve digestive health
- May help manage diabetes
- May support nervous system injury recovery
Health Benefits Attributed to Reishi
- Said to relieve stress
- Provides immune function support
- May have anti-cancer properties
- Improves sleep
- May help fight fatigue
- May help lift depression
- Offers antioxidant properties
- Rich in adaptogens, which support liver function and help the body to detox, as this study found.
Mushroom Coffee Side Effects
For individuals with an autoimmune disease (psoriasis, celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, etc.), mushroom coffee might be a problem.
The reason for this is that mushroom coffee may boost immune function activity. This may actually increase the immune system’s actions and create more discomfort for individuals with an autoimmune disease.
If you have an autoimmune disease, it’s best to do your own research about mushroom coffee and how it may affect your current condition.
Generally speaking, mushroom coffee benefits are vast, but as with any substance, mushroom coffee should be consumed in moderation. Caffeine combined with mushrooms may cause an upset stomach, rapid heart rate, anxiety, or shakiness. Those who are, in general, sensitive to caffeine may not tolerate mushroom coffee that well, either.
Is Mushroom Coffee Healthier Than a Regular Coffee?
The most obvious difference between mushroom coffee and regular coffee is that with the latter, you only get the caffeine without the benefits of medicinal mushrooms.
Regular coffee benefits include providing powerful antioxidants, increasing alertness, improving mood, supporting cardiovascular health, and more.
Regular coffee tends to have a significantly higher amount of caffeine. However, since mushroom coffee is made with half coffee and half mushrooms, it tends to have a lower amount of caffeine.
This is great news if you’re sensitive to caffeine. With mushroom coffee, you still get to enjoy this quintessential beverage without all of caffeine’s negative effects, like jitters, increased feelings of anxiety, etc.
However, keep in mind that since mushroom coffee does have caffeine in most cases, you may still feel some caffeine downsides, including shakiness. Some people feel that mushroom coffee works better for their bodies, so it’s a matter of figuring out what works best for you.
Top 5 Mushroom Coffee Picks
If you’re curious about mushroom coffee and want to give it a go, try it! What do you have to lose? If you like it, you get to welcome a new, healthy beverage for your kitchen. If not, you can always stick to good old coffee.
Top 5 Mushroom Coffee Products from Amazon
Below, you can find the top 5 mushroom coffee products currently available, all of which have unique health benefits.
Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane Elixir Mushroom Coffee Alternative– 1500mg of organic Lion’s Mane mushroom extract
– All ingredients are naturally farmed or wild harvested
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Ground Coffee– Each cup contains 250mg of wild-harvested, organic Chaga
– 250mg of organic Lion’s Mane (per serving)
Organic Instant Cacao with Cordyceps & Ginger– Organic cordyceps mushroom powder, with antioxidant properties
– No carriers, fillers, natural flavors or artificial flavors
Matcha Latte Mix by Four Sigmatic– Organic ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder
– Only 20 mg of caffeine per cup
La Republica Organic Mushroom Coffee– Extracts from seven of the most powerful superfoods; lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, maitake, turkey tail, and shiitake mushrooms
– Sourced from distinguished mushroom farms located in pristine forests
Mushroom coffee is certainly having its moment. With all the mushroom coffee benefits and delicious taste, it’s easy to understand why. Are you willing to hop on board this trend?
