Mushroom coffee has quickly become a popular alternative to traditional coffee.This unique beverage combines the morning coffee ritual with the potential health benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms. It is lauded for its ability to potentially boost immunity, improve mental clarity, and reduce stress. Different types of functional mushrooms, like lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi, are used in these blends, each offering distinct advantages.
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As people look for natural ways to improve their well-being, mushroom coffee provides an opportunity to merge the energy-boosting effects of coffee with potential health benefits.
Here, we will explore the science behind mushroom coffee, how to make it, and discuss the potential benefits and things to consider when incorporating this trendy drink into your daily routine.
Mushroom coffee is made by combining regular coffee with medicinal mushrooms to create a unique and healthy drink. The process starts with sourcing high-quality coffee beans and medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, or cordyceps, all known for their health benefits.
First, the mushrooms are gathered and dried. After drying, they undergo a careful extraction process to obtain their active compounds. This usually involves extracting with hot water, alcohol, or a combination of both to capture the full range of beneficial compounds. The extracts are then transformed into a fine powder.
Next, high-quality coffee beans are roasted to the desired level and then ground. The mushroom powder is mixed with the coffee grounds in specific ratios, typically ranging from a small percentage up to 50%, depending on the desired strength and flavor profile. This blend ensures that each cup of mushroom coffee delivers both the robust taste of regular coffee and the health benefits of mushrooms.
For convenience, mushroom coffee is available in various forms, including instant coffee packets, ground coffee blends, and coffee pods. Making mushroom coffee is as easy as brewing regular coffee—using a coffee maker, French press, or simply adding hot water for instant varieties. This innovative process results in a beverage that offers a smooth, rich flavor with added health benefits, making it an attractive choice for health-conscious coffee lovers.
Medicinal mushrooms have played an important part in traditional Chinese medicine for generations. These mushrooms contain active compounds known as adaptogens, which are believed to enhance the body’s ability to manage stress.
Since the 1970s, researchers have become more interested in the possible health benefits of mushroom-derived adaptogens. However, it is important to note that most research has been done on animals or in laboratory settings, with only a few well-designed clinical trials including humans.
Thus, the findings should be seen as preliminary, and might not fully represent the effects on human cells in a real-world context. That being said, let's consider what the available evidence suggests about the potential benefits of drinking mushroom coffee.
Related: Chaga Mushrooms: The Superfood That’ll Keep You Healthy
Turkey Tail mushroom is an adaptogen sometimes found in mushroom coffee. It's rich in beta-glucans, which may stimulate the immune system. Research suggests that turkey tail extracts could benefit immune function in cancer patients undergoing treatment. While more research is needed for healthy individuals, the immune-boosting benefits of Turkey Tail in mushroom coffee may be worth investigating.
Also, while the evidence for reishi mushrooms and immune function is currently limited to test-tube studies, preliminary research shows promise. The findings of several test tube studies have indicated that reishi mushrooms can promote the function of cells' immune systems.
Recent preliminary research suggests that mushrooms may help prevent and manage diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. A comprehensive review of previous studies, which included test tube experiments, animal research, and small-scale human trials, indicated that several forms of mushrooms—whole, extract, and powdered—exhibit potential blood sugar-regulating properties.
Mushroom coffee and supplements are often touted for their brain-boosting properties. A review analyzing studies on mushrooms and brain health found positive associations between mushroom consumption (including lion's mane) and improved cognition and mood in large population studies. However, the authors call for more specific research to definitively link mushrooms to these benefits.
Could mushrooms be a weapon against cancer? This is a question scientists are actively investigating. Studies using lion's mane extract in a laboratory setting have shown promising results in terms of protecting against leukemia cells. Another study found that lion's mane extract might reduce tumor development in cancer cells in mice. However, it's important to remember that these are early findings that require further research.
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An in vitro (laboratory) study looked at the possible effects of Reishi mushroom extract on cholesterol. The results suggest the extract might play a role in lowering LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, and increasing HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. However, do note that this is a preliminary study conducted in a controlled setting, and further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
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