Is Mushroom Coffee Good for You? Benefits of Less Caffeine

You’ve heard of stuffed and fried mushrooms, but have you heard of mushroom coffee? 

This morning beverage is a trending alternative to coffee and energy drinks, with the added promise that it may boost your well-being. While it looks and tastes similar to regular coffee, does it offer the same, if not better, health benefits?

In this read, we dive into everything you need to know about mushroom coffee and the health claims behind this trending beverage.

What Is Mushroom Coffee?

When you think of mushroom coffee, you might imagine a cup of coffee with a few mushroom pieces thrown in. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

Mushroom coffee is made by drying mushrooms, pulling out the beneficial compounds, and blending the extraction into coffee grounds. The fungi in this brew aren’t your run-of-the-mill grocery store varieties, either. The species are picked and combined for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.

Here are five of the most common mushrooms used in mushroom coffee blends:

1. Reishi
2. Lion’s Mane
3. Chaga
4. Cordyceps
5. Turkey Tail

Buying and Preparing Mushroom Coffee

You can buy mushroom coffee grounds, instant mushroom coffee, and powders that can be combined with coffee or tea.

Preparing these drinks depends on the form you’ve purchased. 

Instant mushroom coffee is easy to make — add boiling water and mix until smooth. Ground mushroom coffee can be made however you like — with a phin filter, a French press, a pour-over, or a drip coffee maker.  

Is Mushroom Coffee Good for You?

When you sip mushroom coffee, you might not even realize there are mushrooms in your cup. 

Mushroom coffee blends include plant-based compounds called adaptogens. The name comes from their ability to help the body “adapt” and respond better to stressful situations. Doctors and researchers believe adaptogens are good for you, helping with fatigue and depression, for instance [1]. 

But does that mean mushroom coffee is good for you? Let’s look at whether mushroom coffee is as advantageous for you as people claim by looking at the potential health benefits and associated risks.

Reported Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee advocates believe the beverage provides a multitude of advantages for our general well-being. 

Here are some of the reported health benefits of mushroom coffee:

• Reduces stress
• Reduces inflammation
• Strengthens your immune system
• Supports your memory
• Increases your energy levels
• Relaxes sore muscles
• Aids restful sleep
• So, is there any evidence that shows mushroom coffee is healthier than regular coffee?

Well, mushrooms do have health benefits — they are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and also possess antioxidants, and may have anticancer properties. One study called edible mushrooms a "superfood," and recommended them as a “valuable constituent of the daily diet” [2].

Let’s take a deeper look at some of the common fungi found in mushroom coffee:

1. Reishi

Evidence suggests reishi mushroom coffee may help boost your well-being in these ways:

• Support the immune system [3]
• Provide anti-aging benefits with antioxidants [4]
• Help with neurasthenia, a condition marked by fatigue and irritability [5]

2. Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms may help improve cognitive function, mood, and well-being. The research found that lion's mane may improve the speed and performance in cognitive tasks while also reducing subjective stress in healthy young adults [6]. 

The benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms may include:

• Improving memory and focus
• Stimulating nerve growth and repair
• Supporting brain health and cognitive function
• Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress
• Boosting the immune system
• May alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Supporting gut health

3. Chaga

The chaga mushroom, traditionally used to make tea, may provide several health benefits. Researchers found polysaccharide extract from the chaga mushroom has the potential to improve your immune system, while also providing an alternative way to treat cancer and diabetes [7]. 

Chaga also displays the following properties:

• Antitumor
• Antioxidant
• Anti-fatigue
• Hypoglycemic (helps with blood sugar issues common with diabetes)
• Hypolipidemic (lowers lipid levels to help prevent diseases such as coronary heart disease)

4. Cordyceps

This unique and strange fungus — it grows on the larvae of insects — has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine [8].

Scientists have found that cordyceps may provide the following health benefits:

• Antitumor activity
• Anti-fatigue activity
• Immunomodulatory (stimulates the immune system)
• Antioxidant, fighting dangerous free radicals
• Sexual and reproductive function enhancement
• Hypoglycemic (may help reduce the amount of sugar present in the blood)
• Has a protective effect on the kidneys and liver

5. Turkey Tail

Research into turkey tail has found that it may support cancer treatments. For example, one study showed that turkey tail seemed to lead to faster immune recovery after radiotherapy in women with breast cancer [9]. 

Another showed that turkey tail helped treat the symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes in gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers [10]. 

6. A Caveat to Consider

Brands selling mushroom coffee may claim that their product is good for you, but there isn’t much direct research to back that up. People have used mushrooms in traditional medicine for millennia, but their role in human health has not undergone significant research [11]. 

The studies that have been conducted are most often carried out on mushrooms themselves rather than mushroom coffee.

While eating mushrooms like lion’s mane may give you some health benefits, it’s not clear whether drinking mushroom coffee has a real impact. We don’t know whether drying, extracting, and brewing mushrooms leaves their health-boosting properties intact as we simply don’t have the scientific evidence to rely on. 

Potential Side Effects & Drawbacks of Mushroom Coffee

Drinking mushroom coffee may not be for everyone. Some people find it hard to digest, and it could be worse for people with existing digestive problems or those with kidney issues.

Certain types of mushrooms used to make mushroom coffee, such as chaga, contain high levels of compounds called oxalates. Too many oxalates could increase the risk of developing kidney stones. 

Also, while it’s generally safe to eat chaga mushrooms, you should talk to your doctor before trying mushroom coffee with chaga extracts. The stronger concentration of the extract could interfere with existing medications you are taking.

Reishi mushroom extracts may cause side effects such as headache and dizziness. People with certain health conditions, like bleeding disorders, should avoid this mushroom. 

Another possible risk is that most mushroom coffee product manufacturers don’t disclose the amount of mushroom extracts used in the product. That means you don’t know how much you’re getting — you may not get enough of each mushroom to experience noticeable effects, or you may end up taking too much. 

How Does Regular Coffee Compare to Mushroom Coffee?

So, what’s the difference between mushroom coffee and regular coffee? Besides the addition of mushroom extracts, mushroom coffee contains less caffeine than regular coffee. That may be beneficial to some. 

That’s not to say caffeine is a bad thing — consuming some caffeine may help boost your productivity, energy levels, and mood. However, too much caffeine may cause feelings of anxiety or disrupt your sleep. 

Regular coffee can provide health benefits since caffeine is healthy when consumed in moderation. One 8 oz cup of coffee provides around 100 mg of caffeine — well under the suggested daily limit of 400 mg. 

Some studies show that long-term consumption of caffeine may prevent various diseases like Parkinson’s and may decrease stroke risk. Caffeine can also help with blood sugar, metabolism, and depression [13,14,15]. 

Coffee is also one of the biggest sources of antioxidants in the “regular” modern diet [12,15]. 

Recommendations for Consumption

So now you’re wondering — “Should I drink mushroom coffee?” 

If you have any doubts, you should check with your doctor and if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medication you should avoid drinking mushroom coffee. 

You should be wary of interactions with your medications or if you have an existing health condition like digestive problems or kidney issues. It may not be safe.

However, if you’re generally healthy and want to harness the potential health benefits of mushrooms, you may want to try it. Not only do you stand the potential to gain some health benefits, but it’s a natural, plant-based way to start your morning.  

Start with a small amount. Even those without existing digestive issues may react to a large amount of mushroom extract. Otherwise, sip away on the newest internet trend — mushroom coffee.

FAQs: Mushroom Coffee

Still have questions about mushroom coffee? 

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions…

1. What Are the Common Side Effects of Mushroom Coffee?

Some people have digestive issues after drinking mushroom coffee. Anyone with an existing health condition or those taking medications should check with their doctor before drinking this beverage.

2. Can Mushroom Coffee Impact Existing Health Conditions?

Yes, especially for those with kidney issues or on blood-thinning medication. Talk to your doctor to make sure you are in the clear if you have any pre-diagnosed conditions. 

3. Is Mushroom Coffee Less Caffeinated Than Regular Coffee?

Yes, mushroom coffee contains less caffeine than regular coffee. Mushroom coffee blends without high-quality arabica or robusta coffee contain no caffeine at all. Mushroom coffee blends with added coffee may contain up to 75% less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee. 

4. Who Should Avoid Drinking Mushroom Coffee?

People who have existing kidney issues, those on immunosuppressants, or those taking blood thinners are cautioned to avoid drinking mushroom coffee. 

The safety of medicinal mushrooms during pregnancy and breastfeeding is also uncertain, so women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding should avoid drinking mushroom coffee. 

5. How Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Compared to Traditional Coffee?

Mushroom coffee has a similar flavor to regular coffee but with an earthy, nutty twist. You may notice “cheesy” or “funky” flavor notes and musky undertones. 

6. Can Mushroom Coffee Replace My Regular Cup?

Mushroom coffee can replace your regular coffee, especially if you want lower caffeine options with potential health benefits. The flavor may not be to your taste, but by adding a natural sweetener and spices, you can create a delightful brew. 

7. Are There Any Long-term Side Effects of Consuming Mushroom Coffee?

Research is limited, so the long-term side effects of drinking mushroom coffee are currently unknown.

8. How Do I Start Incorporating Mushroom Coffee Into My Diet?

Start with a small amount of mushroom coffee to see how you react. Then, gradually increase your consumption until you notice the effects. If you’re taking medications or have an existing health condition, check with a healthcare provider before adding mushroom coffee to your diet. 

9. Can Mushroom Coffee Improve Cognitive Function?

Researchers have used lion’s mane as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment conditions, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease [17]. More research is needed as to whether mushroom coffee can provide similar health benefits.

10. Is Mushroom Coffee Suitable for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women?

The safety of medicinal mushrooms hasn’t been explicitly studied during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So, you should probably avoid drinking mushroom coffee until the effects of these fungi are fully understood.

References

1. Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stress-protective activity. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188-224. 
2. Muszyńska, B., Grzywacz-Kisielewska, A., Kała, K., & Gdula-Argasińska, J. (2018). Anti-inflammatory properties of edible mushrooms: A review. Food Chemistry, 243, 373-381. 
3. Jin, X., Beguerie, J. R., Sze, D. M. Y., & Chan, G. C. (2012). Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6). 
4. Wang, J., Cao, B., Zhao, H., & Feng, J. (2017). Emerging roles of Ganoderma lucidum in anti-aging. Aging and disease, 8(6), 691. Tang, W., Gao, Y., Chen, G., Gao, H., Dai, X., Ye, J., ... & Zhou, S. (2005). A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of medicinal food, 8(1), 53-58. 
5. Docherty, S., Doughty, F. L., & Smith, E. F. (2023). The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 15(22), 4842. 
6. Lu, Jia, Xue et al. (2021) Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application. 
7. Lin, B. Q., & Li, S. P. (2011). Cordyceps as an herbal drug. Herbal medicine: biomolecular and clinical aspects, 5. 
8. Stamets, P. (2012). Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushrooms) and the treatment of breast cancer. Global advances in health and medicine, 1(5), 20-20. 
9. Dan, A., Swain, R., Belonce, S., & Jacobs, R. J. (2023). Therapeutic effects of medicinal mushrooms on gastric, breast, and colorectal cancer: a scoping review. Cureus, 15(4). 
10. Zhang, J.-J., Li, Y., Zhou, T., Xu, D.-P., Zhang, P., Li, S., & Li, H.-B. (2016). Bioactivities and Health Benefits of Mushrooms Mainly from China. Molecules, 21(7), 938. 
11. Abalo R. Coffee and Caffeine Consumption for Human Health. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 24;13(9):2918. doi: 10.3390/nu13092918. PMID: 34578795; PMCID: PMC8468147.
12. Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: A systematic review of clinical trials. (2019). Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 9(3), 184–191.
13. Lopez-Garcia, E., van Dam, R. M., Rajpathak, S., Willett, W. C., Manson, J. E., & Hu, F. B. (2006). Changes in caffeine intake and long-term weight change in men and women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(3), 674–680.
14. Wang, L., Shen, X., Wu, Y., & Zhang, D. (2015). Coffee and caffeine consumption and depression: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(3), 228–242.
15. Carlsen, M. H., Halvorsen, B. L., Holte, K., Bøhn, S. K., Dragland, S., Sampson, L., Willey, C., Senoo, H., Umezono, Y., Sanada, C., Barikmo, I., Berhe, N., Willett, W. C., Phillips, K. M., Jacobs, D. R., Jr, & Blomhoff, R. (2010). The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs, and supplements used worldwide. Nutrition Journal, 9(3). 
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