Mushroom coffee is an interesting blend that combines regular coffee with extracts from medicinal mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, or chaga. These mushrooms are believed to have various health benefits, such as boosting immunity, improving focus, reducing inflammation, and providing antioxidants. The taste of mushroom coffee can vary depending on the type and amount of mushrooms used, but it's often described as earthy or slightly woody. Have you tried it before?
Mushroom coffee enthusiasts tout several potential benefits:
Adaptogenic properties: Mushrooms like reishi and chaga are considered adaptogens, which may help the body adapt to stress and promote overall well-being.
Improved focus and mental clarity: Compounds in mushrooms like lion's mane have been studied for their potential to enhance cognitive function, potentially aiding in focus and mental clarity.
Antioxidant properties: Mushrooms contain antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress in the body, potentially reducing cell damage caused by free radicals.
Potential immune support: Some mushrooms, like reishi, are believed to have immune-boosting properties, aiding the body's natural defenses.
Reduced jitters: Mushroom coffee drinkers often report feeling less jittery or experiencing a smoother energy boost compared to regular coffee, thanks to the combination of caffeine with other compounds found in mushrooms.
Remember, while there is anecdotal evidence supporting these benefits, more extensive scientific research is ongoing to solidify these claims. As with any supplement or dietary addition, individual experiences may vary.
Mushroom coffee, made by blending regular coffee with extracts from medicinal mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, or chaga, is believed to offer various health benefits, although more extensive scientific research is needed to confirm these claims. Some potential health benefits associated with mushroom coffee include:
Improved focus and cognitive function: Compounds found in mushrooms like lion's mane have been studied for their potential to support cognitive function. They may promote mental clarity, focus, and memory.
Adaptogenic properties: Certain mushrooms used in mushroom coffee, such as reishi and chaga, are considered adaptogens. These mushrooms may help the body adapt to stress and promote overall well-being.
Immune support: Some mushrooms, like reishi, are believed to have immune-boosting properties. Consuming mushroom coffee with these extracts may potentially support the immune system.
Antioxidant properties: Mushrooms contain antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress in the body, potentially reducing cell damage caused by free radicals.
Reduced jitters: Mushroom coffee drinkers often report feeling less jittery or experiencing a smoother energy boost compared to regular coffee. This effect could be due to the combination of caffeine with other compounds found in mushrooms.
While these potential benefits are recognized in traditional medicine and some initial scientific studies, more research is needed to fully understand the specific health effects of consuming mushroom coffee. As with any dietary supplement or addition, individual experiences and responses may vary. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or adding new supplements.
What is mushroom coffee?
While mushroom coffee does, in fact, contain mushrooms, it’s still actually coffee. Typical blends include an equal mix of ground mushrooms and ground coffee beans. That means the taste is often still surprisingly similar to a traditional cup of Joe.
In fact, you may not even realize the mushrooms are in there. Manufacturers of the drink take a variety of medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi, chaga and lion’s mane), dry them out, grind them and then extract the mushrooms’ beneficial ingredients.
The purportedly healthful ingredients extracted from the mushrooms are plant-based compounds called adaptogens. The name comes from their ability to help the body “adapt” and respond better to stressful situations. Adaptogens have been used for centuries as part of Chinese medicine treatments.
Mushroom coffee benefits
Marketers of mushroom brews claim the drink has numerous health benefits. It’s important to understand that while some of the health claims may be valid, many haven’t been proven in scientific studies. It’s also not yet proven that drying, extracting and brewing mushrooms leaves their health benefits intact.
One real benefit is that by drinking a cup that’s only about half coffee, you’re getting only half the caffeine. Reduced caffeine intake can leave you less jittery during the day and can also improve your ability to get quality sleep at night.
Other possible, but largely unproven, benefits of drinking mushroom coffee include:
Less stress: Adaptogens can affect how much cortisol — a hormone produced in times of stress — your body releases. If the adaptogens in mushroom coffee reduce the amount of cortisol in your system, that may help reduce the effect that stress can have on your body.
Reduced inflammation: Mushrooms contain compounds called polyphenols, as well as a variety of antioxidants. Together, they can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Stronger immune system: The polyphenols and other antioxidants in mushrooms also have the potential to bolster your immune defenses.
Better sleep: Drinking less caffeine can benefit your sleep. Proponents of mushroom coffee claim that the adaptogens in the drink also improve sleep quality.
Potential downsides of drinking mushroom coffee
There’s some evidence the extracts used in mushroom coffee can be hard on digestion. People who have kidney issues or digestive troubles might be more vulnerable to these effects. In addition, certain types of mushrooms often used in mushroom coffee (notably, the chaga variety) contain high levels of compounds called oxalates. A diet that contains too many oxalates puts you at risk for developing kidney stones.
The biggest downside to drinking mushroom coffee may be the cost. These brews often cost at least twice the price of regular java (even when you make them at home). If you want to harness the power of mushrooms, you might be better off just working them into your diet.
Fresh mushrooms are delicious raw or cooked in salads, soups, stir fry, chili and more. Eating mushrooms provides you with numerous nutrients — including B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium and potassium — plus many of the health benefits you may or may not get in your mushroom coffee.