Mushroom coffee combines high-grade coffee grounds with functional and adaptogenic mushrooms — a few of which have been found to offer unique benefits in a comprehensive weight loss regimen.
Here’s how it works.
How Does Mushroom Coffee Aid Weight Loss?
Mushroom coffee is made by drying mushrooms, pulling out the beneficial compounds, and then blending those into regular coffee.
Many medicinal mushrooms can affect weight loss in a variety of ways, from treating metabolic syndrome that causes obesity to boosting metabolism, suppressing hunger, and reducing insulin obstruction [1,2].
The following fungi are common in mushroom coffee. We’ll look at how each one could play a role in weight loss:
- Reishi
- Lion’s mane
- Cordyceps
- Chaga
- Turkey tail
Related: What Are the Benefits of Mushroom Coffee?
1. Reishi Mushrooms & Weight Loss
Some studies find that reishi may prevent obesity and suppress obesity-induced insulin resistance [3]. This is done through a process called AMPK activation. AMPK is a sensor of cellular energy status that maintains energy stores. AMPK plays a complex role in regulating energy and the consequences on metabolism [4]. That same AMPK activation may also help reishi improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes[3].
2. Lion’s Mane Mushrooms & Weight Loss
Lion's mane mushrooms may improve metabolic health by lowering blood sugar levels, which could contribute to potential weight loss effects [5].
Lion’s mane mushroom has promise for improving outcomes that can arise from being overweight or eating a high-fat diet. In one study, lion’s mane improved outcomes for rats fed a high-fat diet. The biochemical markers, including total cholesterol, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, were better than those who did not receive lion's mane extract [6].
Finally, lion’s mane mushrooms may also help reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity because they could potentially prevent or decrease inflammation caused by fat tissue [7].
3. Cordyceps Mushrooms & Weight Loss
Studies link this mushroom to enhanced energy, and it may boost metabolism. That means it could have a beneficial effect on metabolic disorders like hyperlipidemia — a condition where elevated levels of lipids lead to hardening of the arteries and other serious conditions like heart attack and stroke [8].
In one study conducted on mice, cordyceps reduced body weight gain induced by a high-fat diet and reduced liver weight and fat deposits in the liver [8].
Other research concluded that it could also have the potential to treat obesity and inflammation by regulating dysbiotic gut microbiota [9].
4. Chaga Mushrooms & Weight Loss
Chaga mushrooms may be one way to improve your metabolism and energy levels. In one study of chaga, it helped to decrease and promote energy metabolism in mice, lowering their weight, as well as tackling and reducing the size of cancerous tumors [10].
These properties are backed up by further research that concluded chaga polysaccharide has the potential to enhance the immune system and showed antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-fatigue properties. Not only that, it’s hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic, two properties we associate with substances that can help reduce fat and weight levels. With this in mind, chaga may prove to be an alternative way of treating cancer and diabetes [11].
5. Turkey Tail Mushrooms & Weight Loss
One study on mice found that a certain component of the turkey tail could help prevent obesity by preventing weight gain in those who are given a high-fat diet. The compound also helps balance certain bacteria in the gut, which can help prevent obesity [12].
Another study found that rats fed a high-fat diet along with turkey tail mushroom extract had positive results for blood glucose levels. Researchers suggest that turkey tail may help improve oxidative stress, which means it could be beneficial in preventing some diabetic complications [13].
Coffee as a Weight-loss Aid
Coffee itself may also have beneficial effects on metabolism and weight loss, too.
Studies have shown a small but positive link between caffeine consumption and less weight gain over time, especially when caffeine levels are increased [14]. Just remember, mushroom coffee is usually much lower in caffeine than regular coffee.
Here are the details:
- Caffeine is a stimulant, so it speeds up your metabolism, meaning you burn calories faster.
- An antioxidant found in coffee works with caffeine to help extract and digest nutrients, leaving you feeling full [15].
- Caffeine may temporarily reduce our appetite.
- Caffeine sends signals to fat cells, telling them to break fat down.
Research also suggests that caffeine intake might promote weight reduction, lowering of your body mass index (BMI), and overall body fat reduction [16].
It’s not just the caffeine that helps coffee to be a great weight-loss aid. Since black coffee contains few calories, drinking it can be an effective and energizing substitute for other choices like full-fat sodas or milk-based drinks.
Related: Caffeine Uses, Risks, & Long-Term Effects
Comparing Mushroom Coffee with Traditional Weight Loss Methods
Is mushroom coffee more effective than other weight loss programs?
Studies show that mushrooms are a healthy addition to your diet. But it’s worth noting that most of the studies on mushrooms and obesity have been conducted on animals. Researchers have not studied mushroom coffee specifically, either.
To get the best weight loss results, it’s recommended that drinking mushroom coffee be combined with regular physical exercise and dietary and lifestyle alterations.
It’s also easy to add mushroom coffee to your existing weight loss regimen, and it may boost the results.
How to Incorporate Mushroom Coffee Into Your Diet
Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, but you can use modern brewing methods to make your mushroom coffee.
Your brewing method depends on what form of mushroom coffee you purchase — mushroom coffee grounds, pre-made mushroom coffee lattes, instant mushroom coffee packets, or mushroom coffee pods. You can make mushroom coffee with a phin filter, a French press, a pour-over, or a drip coffee maker.
To harness the weight-loss benefits of mushroom coffee, drink it before you exercise to get an extra jump in your metabolism. It may also give you an energy boost and could improve your physical endurance.
As for quantities, start with a small amount to be sure you don’t have a reaction to it. Keep track as you increase to one or two cups of mushroom coffee daily for weight loss. You know your body, so adjust as you need to.
Remember that mushroom coffee may not be the “magic bullet” of weight loss. You’ll lose weight more effectively by combining healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and a balanced lifestyle.
Potential Side Effects & Considerations
Is mushroom coffee safe to drink? In most cases, the answer is yes. However, there are possible side effects. Mushrooms are fungi that could cause an allergic reaction in some people, and certain varieties can interact with certain medications.
In particular, the extracts used to make mushroom coffee may be hard to digest. Some mushrooms, like chaga, are high in oxalate and can increase the risk of kidney complications. Drinking mushroom coffee could be worse for people who have existing digestive problems or those with kidney issues, especially in large doses [17].
People with certain health conditions, like bleeding disorders, are advised not to take reishi, which can cause headaches and dizziness.
Turkey tail can cause milder reactions, including digestive issues like heartburn, nausea, and constipation.
Many mushroom coffee products don’t disclose the amount of mushroom extracts or ground mushrooms used, so you may not know whether you’re getting enough to be beneficial or if you need to worry about side effects.
The following individuals should be cautious about drinking mushroom coffee:
- Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding.
- Anyone with an underlying health condition.
- Those taking medications.
- Those with kidney issues.
The best bet is to consult a doctor before trying mushroom coffee. Once you get the green light, you can slowly add mushroom coffee to your weight loss plan.
FAQs: Mushroom Coffee for Weight Loss
You may still have questions about drinking mushroom coffee for weight loss. Here are answers to the most common queries.
1. What Exactly Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a blend of ground coffee and powdered medicinal mushrooms. Mushroom coffee is made by drying and extracting mushrooms, pulling out the beneficial compounds, and then blending those into regular coffee. Adding mushrooms means it potentially provides health benefits beyond those found in coffee alone.
2. How Can Mushroom Coffee Help With Weight Loss?
Research has demonstrated that mushrooms help boost metabolism, regulate appetite, and improve blood sugar levels. All of these factors mean mushroom coffee may contribute to effective weight management.
3. Is Mushroom Coffee Safe for Everyone?
While generally safe, some individuals should take precautions or check with their doctor before drinking mushroom coffee. This includes those with mushroom allergies, kidney issues, digestive issues, or caffeine sensitivity, as well as those with a health condition or on medication. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not drink mushroom coffee without consulting a healthcare provider.
4. Can I Replace My Regular Coffee With Mushroom Coffee?
Yes, mushroom coffee can serve as a healthier alternative to regular coffee, especially for those looking to reduce caffeine intake.
5. How Often Should I Drink Mushroom Coffee to See Weight Loss Benefits?
To see the benefits of mushroom coffee, you should drink it regularly, perhaps replacing your daily regular coffee. Drinking mushroom coffee as part of a balanced diet may help to achieve the best weight loss results, but it's important to follow recommended dosages for the coffee you buy.
6. Does Mushroom Coffee Have Any Side Effects?
In general, mushroom coffee is well tolerated. However, the possible side effects of mushroom coffee include digestive upset and caffeine-related symptoms.
7. Can Mushroom Coffee Interact With Medications?
Yes, in particular, it may interact with blood thinners or diabetes medication. Those with pre-existing health conditions and those on medication should always consult a healthcare professional before drinking mushroom coffee.
8. Is Mushroom Coffee Expensive?
Prices vary, but due to the added ingredients, you’ll find yourself paying a bit more than you would for your standard coffee grounds.
9. Where Can I Buy Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is available online, in health food stores, and increasingly in cafes and supermarkets.
10. Are There Different Flavors of Mushroom Coffee?
Yes, some brands offer flavored versions, though the earthy taste of mushrooms is predominant.
References
- Ganesan, K., & Xu, B. (2018). Anti-obesity effects of medicinal and edible mushrooms. Molecules, 23(11), 2880.
- Mustafa, F., Chopra, H., Baig, A. A., Avula, S. K., Kumari, S., Mohanta, T. K., ... & Mohanta, Y. K. (2022). Edible mushrooms as novel myco-therapeutics: effects on lipid level, obesity, and BMI. Journal of Fungi, 8(2), 211.
- Lee, H. A., Cho, J. H., Afinanisa, Q., An, G. H., Han, J. G., Kang, H. J., ... & Seong, H. A. (2020). Ganoderma lucidum extract reduces insulin resistance by enhancing AMPK activation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Nutrients, 12(11), 3338.
- Kjøbsted, R., Hingst, J. R., Fentz, J., Foretz, M., Sanz, M. N., Pehmøller, C., ... & Lantier, L. (2018). AMPK in skeletal muscle function and metabolism. The FASEB journal, 32(4), 1741.
- Liang, B., Guo, Z., Xie, F., & Zhao, A. (2013). Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus in experimental diabetic rats. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 13, 1-7.
- Choi, W. S., Kim, Y. S., Park, B. S., Kim, J. E., & Lee, S. E. (2013). Hypolipidaemic effect of Hericium erinaceum grown in Artemisia capillaris on obese rats. Mycobiology, 41(2), 94-99.
- Mori, K., Ouchi, K., & Hirasawa, N. (2015). The anti-inflammatory effects of Lion's mane culinary-medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) in a coculture system of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264 macrophages. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 17(7).
- Kim, S. B., Ahn, B., Kim, M., Ji, H. J., Shin, S. K., Hong, I. P., ... & Lee, M. K. (2014). Effect of Cordyceps militaris extract and active constituents on metabolic parameters of obesity induced by high-fat diet in C58BL/6J mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 151(1), 478-484.
- Wu, G. D., Pan, A., Zhang, X., Cai, Y. Y., Wang, Q., Huang, F. Q., ... & Liu, Q. (2022). Cordyceps improves obesity and its related inflammation via modulation of Enterococcus cecorum abundance and bile acid metabolism. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 50(03), 817-838.
- Arata, S., Watanabe, J., Maeda, M., Yamamoto, M., Matsuhashi, H., Mochizuki, M., ... & Inagaki, M. (2016). Continuous intake of the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) aqueous extract suppresses cancer progression and maintains body temperature in mice. Heliyon, 2(5).
- Lu, Jia, Xue, Li, Liu and Chen. (2021) Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application
- Li, X., Chen, P., Zhang, P., Chang, Y., Cui, M., & Duan, J. (2019). Protein‐bound β‐glucan from coriolus versicolor has potential for use against obesity. Molecular nutrition & food research, 63(7), 1801231.
- Lo, H. C., Hsu, T. H., & Lee, C. H. (2020). Extracellular polysaccharopeptides from fermented Turkey Tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (Agaricomycetes), mitigate oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 22(5).
- Tabrizi, R., Saneei, P., Lankarani, K. B., Akbari, M., Kolahdooz, F., Esmaillzadeh, A., ... & Asemi, Z. (2019). The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(16), 2688-2696.
- Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: A systematic review of clinical trials. (2019). Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 9(3), 184–
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- Kwon, O., Kim, Y., Paek, J. H., Park, W. Y., Han, S., Sin, H., & Jin, K. (2022). Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome: A case report. Medicine, 101(10), e28997.
