The mushroom coffee trend is gaining momentum as a healthier alternative to regular joe. Mushroom coffee blends ground coffee beans with caffeine-free mushroom powder to reduce the amount of caffeine in the final beverage. The result is a low-caffeine coffee that some claim reduces jitteriness and enhances focus, concentration and memory.
Mushroom coffee powder adaptogenic mushrooms, which are fungi that help to ease the body’s response to stress. The idea is that by helping to balance the body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (hormone) axis, adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms help the immune system cope with chronic stress and restore health.
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Some of the most popular medicinal mushrooms used in mushroom coffee are reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps and chaga. These fungi are concentrated in compounds that have anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties. Additionally, chaga has been found to reduce blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, while reishi has potential to prevent cancer and promote healing.
Many mushroom coffee products also contain ingredients such as ashwagandha, L-theanine and coconut powder to boost the health effects of the drink. As a result, it’s important to read the ingredient and nutrition labels before adding this product to your diet, especially if you have allergies, intolerances or dietary restrictions.
Although some studies on medicinal mushrooms have been positive, there’s little research to support the claims of mushroom coffee. It’s also pricey, and Czerwony advises that you may be better off incorporating whole mushrooms into your diet instead.