Mushroom Coffee vs. a Cup of Coffee: Everything You Need to Know Before Changing Your Morning Drink

Mushroom coffee is a quirky alternative to “just coffee” with a number of health claims that have caused a stir in some circles. 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 because of the nutritional benefits of mushrooms, which people used as medicine for thousands of years. 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. Let’s take a look.

What is mushroom coffee?

When you hear the term “mushroom coffee,” do you picture a cup of coffee with bits of mushroom in it? That’s not a very appetizing thought. Fortunately, mushroom coffee doesn’t work that way.

In reality, mushroom coffee looks just like a typical cup of coffee — but instead of just coffee beans, it also contains dried and ground mushrooms. What does mushroom coffee taste like? Surprisingly, most mushroom coffee blends don’t taste like mushrooms at all, which is great if you want to enjoy the potential benefits of this trendy beverage but don’t like the taste of mushrooms.

Manufacturers typically use medicinal mushrooms (such as 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 known as adaptogenswhich are used in oriental medicine to treat various ailments. You can also find shiitake mushrooms in some mushroom coffee products.

There are many mushroom coffee products on the market today, including mushroom powder, coffee pods, instant coffee, ground coffee, and latte blends. Some popular brands include: Four Sigmatic, Smart mixtures And PINK mushroom coffee.

How does mushroom coffee work?

Medicinal mushrooms have different bioactive compoundsincluding carotenoids and polyphenols, which can 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 scarlet red) contain polyphenols, which also act as antioxidants. According to a 2023 judgement“Mushroom polyphenols have a multidirectional beneficial effect on the human body: they are anticancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, slow down the aging process, and prevent 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 many ways. For example, lion’s mane mushrooms are rich in B vitamins (including riboflavin and niacin), as well as essential minerals such as zinc and potassium.
  

Drinking mushroom coffee can allow you to enjoy the benefits that these compounds provide (we’ll dive deeper into the specific benefits in a moment). It’s important to note that while the health benefits of mushrooms themselves are well established, research on mushroom coffee is still ongoing. limited.

For example, research shows that food reishi mushrooms may boost your immune system and possibly prevent or treat cancer, but it’s not yet fully understood whether you’ll experience the same benefits if you drink mushroom coffee.

Potential Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

More research is needed to back up their claims, but mushroom coffee proponents claim it offers several health benefits, including:

Increased focus and energy levels with less jitteriness

Although it contains mushrooms, mushroom coffee is still coffee. Due to its caffeine content, drinking it can help improve focus and concentrationBecause mushroom coffee is usually equal parts mushroom and coffee, it typically contains less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, which can be helpful if you tend to feel nauseous easily. stretched or jittery from regular coffee. Alternatively, mushroom coffee can be a good compromise if you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake (but still want to feel alert and focused throughout the day).

Immune system support and antioxidant properties

Thanks to their bioactive components, mushrooms have immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. More specifically, research has discovered that turkey tail mushrooms, which are often used in mushroom coffee, contain a compound that may help improve immunity in cancer patients. Again, more research is needed to determine whether the mushrooms retain these benefits when dried and mixed with coffee beans to create mushroom coffee.

Stress relief and possible adaptogenic effects

When you are stressed, your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone that increases your energy and helps you get through the anxiety you are experiencing. adaptogenic mushroomsincluding those used in mushroom coffee, can help regulate your cortisol and reduce stress.

Possible disadvantages and side effects of mushroom coffee

At the same time, mushroom coffee can also have certain disadvantages, such as:

Possible allergic reactions to mushrooms

It is best to avoid mushroom coffee if you have an allergy or intolerance to mushrooms. Even if you do not have a known mold allergy, it is possible that you may have an adverse reaction to mushroom coffee, as 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, skin rash, or headache.

Interaction with drugs

There may be risks associated with mixing certain medications with mushroom coffee. Reishi mushroomsfor example, can lower your blood sugar or blood pressure. If you are taking medications for diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure to talk to your doctor before including mushroom coffee in your diet.

Digestive problems or kidney problems

For some people, drinking mushroom coffee can cause digestive upset caused by: coffeethe mushrooms or both. In addition, there are also some types of medicinal mushrooms (including scarlet red) are high in oxalates. If you have a history of kidney problems, overconsumption of oxalates may increase the risk of kidney stones.

Mushroom Coffee vs Regular Coffee

Mushroom coffee may seem like regular coffee, but there are some key differences between the two beverages.

Caffeine levels and energy levels

Because 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 brew.

Taste and flavour profile

There are many mushroom coffee products on the market, each with its own flavor profile. Many taste similar to traditional coffee, sometimes with a slightly nutty or earthy flavor.

Nutritional differences

There is also a clear difference in the nutritional makeup of the two beverages, with mushroom coffee containing mushrooms (which regular coffee does not). As we discussed, adding mushrooms can provide several potential health benefits, including improved immunity and stress relief.

Cost comparison and availability

Price is another big difference between these two types of coffee. Generally, mushroom coffee is much more expensive, often twice as expensive as regular coffee. For example, a 12-ounce bag of mushroom coffee from Four Sigmatic costs about $20, while a bag of coffee typically costs less than $10. Additionally, mushroom coffee is not as widely available as regular coffee, making it more expensive and harder to find.

What to look for 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 cost of making the switch to mushroom coffee.

From a health perspective, many people should be able to safely consume mushroom coffee. If you are currently taking medications or have an ongoing health condition, talk to your healthcare provider before adding mushroom coffee to your routine. You can also ask for dosage recommendations to ensure you don’t consume too much.

You’ll also want to consider your budget. If you’re strapped for cash, you’re better off incorporating whole mushrooms into your diet (which have proven health benefits) than splurging on mushroom coffee (which is twice as expensive as regular coffee and has no proven health benefits).

Finally, since mushroom coffee is relatively new to the market, you may want to familiarize yourself with the brands that produce it. Therefore, it is wise to research the companies you are considering buying from and thoroughly review all ingredient lists.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mushroom Coffee

Still not sure if you should experiment? We cover some frequently asked questions.

Is it safe to drink mushroom coffee?

People with allergies and those taking prescription medications should consult their doctor if they plan on doing a mushroom coffee taste test. The same goes for people with digestive or stomach issues, as mushroom coffee may be more upsetting for some.

It is also a good idea to buy from a popular or reputable brand. This will give you more confidence in what you are buying.

Is mushroom coffee more expensive than regular coffee?

Yes. There are of course exceptions, depending on the type of coffee and where you buy it.

Are medicinal mushrooms the same as magic mushrooms?

No. “Magic mushroom” mushrooms are specific species that contain psilocybin, a reality-altering hallucinogen that temporarily affects how you think and feel. While psilocybin is being studied for its potential benefits for mental healthit is listed by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule I drug.

The mushrooms used in coffee (such as lion’s mane, chaga, and turkey tail) are a completely different species of mushroom and should not affect cognition or act as mind-altering drugs. Most importantly, they are legal.