Key Takeaways
- Mushrooms have proven health benefits, but it’s unclear if mushroom coffee delivers the same perks.
- Although more research is needed, some potential benefits include improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
- Mushroom coffee is generally safe for most people, but those with mushroom allergies, digestive or kidney issues, or certain prescriptions should avoid it.
Mushrooms contain nutrients that support gut health and fight inflammation, but it’s unclear if mushroom coffee, made from equal parts ground mushroom powder and coffee beans, delivers the same benefits. More research is needed to confirm the purported benefits of mushroom coffee.
1. Improves Stress Response
Mushrooms contain adaptogens, plant-based compounds that help decrease the amount of cortisol your body releases in response to stress. This may help protect against:
- Chronic inflammation
- Metabolic disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Neurodegenerative cognitive impairment
- Cancer
2. Supports Gut Health
Some mushrooms contain prebiotics, a type of fiber that stimulates healthy bacteria and improves gut health. However, more scientific evidence is needed to link mushroom coffee with these benefits.
3. Strengthens The Immune System
Mushrooms are loaded with polyphenols and other antioxidants that may help strengthen your immune response. More research is needed on mushroom coffee specifically.
4. Lowers Risk of Degenerative Diseases
Antioxidants, like those found in mushrooms, protect against damage from free radicals. This may help prevent degenerative diseases such as:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Cataracts
- Liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Kidney failure
- Brain dysfunction
5. Increases Energy and Alertness
Caffeine, in any form, stimulates the central nervous system, making you feel alert and energized. More evidence is needed to confirm that mushroom coffee offers the same benefits.
Mushrooms are associated with more than 100 medicinal functions. They are also an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E, minerals, and essential amino acids.
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Downsides of Drinking Mushroom Coffee
1. Gastrointestinal Issues
If you have trouble digesting mushrooms, mushroom coffee may cause stomach upset, bloating, and gas (flatulence). Mushroom coffee products don’t disclose the amount of mushrooms used in production, so it’s impossible to know or limit your intake.
2. Kidney Problems
Some mushrooms, such as chaga, are high in oxalates. Too much of this compound may increase a person’s risk of developing kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.
3. Drug Interactions
Some types of mushrooms affect blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood clotting. If you’re on a prescription medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, or blood clotting, consult your healthcare provider before trying mushroom coffee.
4. Caffeine Dependency
Drinking caffeinated varieties of mushroom coffee may cause you to form caffeine dependency, which makes you susceptible to withdrawal symptoms (such as headaches and irritability) when you don’t have it.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is made by grinding dried mushrooms into a powder mixed with ground coffee beans, typically in equal parts.
Some blends contain herbal coffee, such as chicory or dandelion root, instead of regular coffee beans, making them caffeine-free.
Mushroom coffee looks and smells like regular coffee. Depending on the blend, it might taste like a traditional cup of joe, but some people describe it as having a more earthy flavor.
How Much Caffeine Is in Mushroom Coffee?
Ground mushroom powder doesn’t contain caffeine, so the caffeine content in mushroom coffee depends on the coffee in its particular blend.
If you brew a blend of half mushrooms and half regular coffee, you’ll get approximately 47.4 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per cup. Regular coffee, by comparison, has about 94.8 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup.
Opt for a mushroom/decaf coffee or mushroom/herbal coffee blend to avoid caffeine.