The Benefits of Coffee and Mushrooms

Many wellness social media accounts are raving about mushroom coffee, which blends traditional coffee with nutrient-packed medicinal mushrooms. Proponents claim the drink enhances cognitive function and immunity while providing a more balanced energy boost than regular coffee without the typical jitters or crashes.

A nutrient-packed mix of chaga, reishi, coffee, and mushrooms is usually dehydrated and ground into a fine powder or extract before being mixed with ground coffee beans. The result is a beverage that looks and tastes like traditional coffee but with a slightly earthier or nutty flavor. Some brands, such as Ryze, even include additional types of mushrooms for a more comprehensive health benefit.

Coffee and Mushrooms: A Perfect Blend for Wellness

According to the companies behind these products, the mushrooms in the coffee are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce oxidative stress in the body. They also may help improve liver function and prevent liver disease by encouraging waste and toxins to be flushed out more effectively.

Other potential benefits that have been touted by the makers of mushroom coffee include reduced anxiety and improved sleep thanks to the adaptogens in the mushrooms, which are thought to balance the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during times of stress and restore a state of homeostasis. Some users say they also feel more energized with the drink than regular coffee, though that could be due to less caffeine or simply to the placebo effect.

Despite these claims, there is no clinical evidence to support these mushroom-based coffee beverages, and experts caution that whole mushrooms are the best way to get their nutrients. Additionally, these drinks can be hard on the digestive system, especially for those with kidney or gastrointestinal issues, and some of the mushrooms used in them (notably chaga) are high in oxalates, which can increase your risk for kidney stones.