Mushroom coffee has become a trending drink popular with health-conscious influencers and other wellness-minded individuals. So, what is mushroom coffee and what benefits does it offer?
In short, mushroom coffee is a combination of coffee and ground mushrooms. It is touted as a healthier alternative to coffee, mainly due to the nutritional benefits of mushrooms, which people consume. used as medicine For thousands of years. However, the benefits of this drink are not yet fully established, so there are a few things to keep in mind before incorporating it into your lifestyle. We’ll take a look.
What is mushroom coffee?
When you hear the term “mushroom coffee,” do you imagine a cup of coffee swirled with pieces of mushrooms? That’s not exactly an appetizing idea. Luckily, that’s not how mushroom coffee works.
Mushroom coffee actually looks like a typical cup of coffee, but instead of just coffee beans, it also contains dried and ground mushrooms. But what does mushroom coffee taste like? Surprisingly, most mushroom coffee blends don’t taste like mushrooms at all, which is ideal if you want to enjoy the potential benefits of this trendy drink but don’t want the mushroom flavor.
![Dried mushrooms and cup of freshly brewed hot drink on wooden background.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/212e159a56ecbcadaa1338073357c43680c2778d/hub/2024/05/15/da11f4b7-208e-4b29-bd44-8d710e67d673/gettyimages-1219215955.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Manufacturers generally use medicinal mushrooms (like reishi, lion’s mane, chaga and turkey tail) for their mental and physical health benefits when making mushroom coffee. These mushrooms are rich in healthy components called adaptogens, which have been used in oriental medicine to treat various diseases. You can also find shiitake mushrooms in some mushroom products.
Many mushroom coffee products are available in the market today, including mushroom powder, coffee pods, instant coffee, ground coffee, and latte blends. Some popular brands include Four Sigmatics, Smart Blends And RYZE mushroom coffee.
How does mushroom coffee work?
Medicinal mushrooms have several bioactive compounds, including carotenoids and polyphenols, which may benefit your health when consumed in mushroom coffee. Here’s how:
- Carotenoids: Known for their antioxidant propertiesthese compounds may improve immunity, eye health, and cardiovascular health.
- Polyphenols: Medicinal mushrooms (especially chaga) contain polyphenols, which also act as antioxidants. According to a 2023 goodbye“Mushroom polyphenols exhibit multidirectional beneficial effects on the human body: anticancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, slowing down the aging process and preventing degenerative diseases of the nervous system and cardiovascular diseases.”
- Vitamins and minerals: Mushrooms also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, which benefit your health in several ways. For example, lion’s mane mushrooms are rich in B vitamins (including riboflavin and niacin), as well as essential minerals like zinc and potassium.
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Drinking mushroom coffee can allow you to enjoy the benefits offered by these compounds (we’ll get to the specific benefits in a minute). However, it is important to note that while the health benefits of mushrooms themselves are well established, research into mushroom coffee is still ongoing. limit.
For example, research shows that eating reishi mushrooms can boost your immune system and potentially prevent or treat cancer, but it remains unclear whether you’ll get the same benefits from consuming mushroom coffee.
Potential Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
Although more research is needed to support their claims, proponents of mushroom coffee say it offers several health benefits, including:
Increased focus and energy levels with less nervousness
Even though it contains mushrooms, mushroom coffee is still coffee – and because of its caffeine content, drinking it can help. improve focus and concentration. However, because mushroom coffee is usually made with equal parts mushrooms and coffee, it typically contains less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, which can be helpful if you tend to feel under the weather. anxious or nervous from regular coffee. Alternatively, mushroom coffee may be a good compromise if you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake (but still want to feel alert and focused during the day).
Immune system support and antioxidant properties
Thanks to their bioactive compounds, mushrooms have immune and antioxidant properties. Specifically, research found that turkey tail mushrooms – which are often used in mushroom coffee – contain a compound that may help improve immunity In cancer patients. But again, more research is needed to determine whether mushrooms retain these benefits when dried and mixed with coffee beans to create mushroom coffee.
![Oyster mushrooms on blue background.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/58632c5c4352dbc6bf397028836dd50521e08309/hub/2024/05/15/c0066f68-7327-4391-a415-4c20c98e020b/gettyimages-1489386565.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Stress relief and potential adaptogenic effects
When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that increases your energy and helps you overcome the turmoil you are experiencing. Consuming adaptogenic mushroomsincluding those used in mushroom coffee, can help regulate your cortisol and reduce stress.
Potential Disadvantages and Side Effects of Mushroom Coffee
At the same time, mushroom coffee may also have some disadvantages, such as:
Possible allergic reactions to mushrooms
It is best to avoid mushroom coffee if you are allergic or intolerant to mushrooms. However, even if you don’t have a known mushroom allergy, it’s possible that you could have an adverse reaction to mushroom coffee because it often contains medicinal mushrooms that you may not have tried before. For example, an allergic reaction to reishi mushrooms may cause dry mouth, dizziness, rash, or headache.
Interaction with drugs
There may be risks in mixing certain medications with mushroom coffee. Reishi mushrooms, for example, can lower your blood sugar or blood pressure. If you are taking medication for diabetes or high blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor before incorporating mushroom coffee into your diet.
Digestive or kidney problems
For some people, drinking mushroom coffee can cause digestive discomfort caused by either coffee, mushrooms or both. Additionally, some types of medicinal mushrooms (including chaga) are rich in oxalates. If you have a history of kidney problems, overconsumption of oxalates may increase your risk of developing kidney stones.
Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee
Although mushroom coffee may resemble regular coffee, the two drinks have key differences.
Caffeine content and energy levels
Since mushroom coffee is usually half coffee and half mushrooms, it naturally contains less caffeine than regular coffee. As a result, it probably won’t give you as much energy as your typical morning drink.
![Dried mushrooms and cup of freshly brewed hot drink on wooden background.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/52c5cdd3505ddedfe64e6f91a07803075e2a9b5a/hub/2024/05/15/247d1507-2c8a-4559-98e8-bae58fd61420/gettyimages-1265198568.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Taste and Flavor Profile
Many mushroom coffee products are available on the market, each with their own flavor profile. However, many taste similar to traditional coffee, sometimes with a slightly nuttier or earthier flavor.
Nutritional differences
Likewise, there is a clear difference in nutritional composition between the two drinks, with mushroom coffee containing mushrooms (while regular coffee does not). As we’ve seen, adding mushrooms can offer several potential health benefits, including improved immunity and stress relief.
Cost comparison and availability
Price is another major difference between these two types of coffee. Generally speaking, mushroom coffee is much more expensive, often costing double that of regular coffee. For example, a 12-ounce bag of mushroom coffee from Four Sigmatics costs around $20, while a bag of coffee usually costs less than $10. Additionally, mushroom coffee is not as widely available as regular coffee, making it more expensive and harder to find.
Things to Consider Before Buying Mushroom Coffee
Not sure if mushroom coffee is right for you? Before you try it, there are a few things to consider, including your personal health and the costs of switching to mushroom coffee.
From a health perspective, many people should be able to drink mushroom coffee safely. However, if you are currently taking medication or have an ongoing health condition, talk to your healthcare professional before adding mushroom coffee to your routine. You can also ask about dosage recommendations to ensure you don’t consume too much.
You will also want to consider your budget. If funds are tight, you’re probably better off incorporating whole mushrooms into your diet (which have well-established health benefits) rather than shelling out for mushroom coffee (which costs twice as much as regular coffee and doesn’t cost much). has no proven health benefits). ).
Finally, since mushroom coffee is relatively new to the market, you may need to become more familiar with the brands that produce it. For this reason, it is wise to research all companies you are considering purchasing from and carefully review all ingredient lists.