Interested in learning about the pros and cons of mushroom coffee?
This trendy elixir has been gaining popularity lately due to its unique combination of caffeine and medicinal mushrooms.
But what's exactly the deal with this earthy brew?
Here we will dive deeper into this subject and weigh the pros and cons of this fabulously popular drink.
The Pros and Cons of Mushroom Coffee?
Okay, on the one hand, mushroom coffee can have numerous benefits. Improved stress management, digestive support, and immune system support are to name a few.
On the other hand, some people may experience side effects like upset stomach or jitteriness or frankly do not like the taste at all.
But fear not, when choosing a reputable mushroom coffee brand you can brew a delicious cup of mushroom coffee that not only tastes great but also offers health benefits.
So why not give it a try and see for yourself? You'll soon see why mushroom coffee is gaining traction as one of the TOP health trends to watch this year.
Who knows, mushroom coffee might just become your new favorite morning ritual.
This post is all about the "Pros and Cons of Mushroom Coffee".
Key Takeaways:
- Mushroom coffee provides a caffeine boost along with potential health benefits from medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi. The mushrooms add antioxidants, adaptogens, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Benefits of drinking mushroom coffee include increased energy, improved brain function, stronger immunity, reduced inflammation, and better gut health.
- Much like regular coffee, too much caffeine can cause side effects like jitteriness, headaches, and possibly other adverse reactions for those with SIBO or other gut sensitivities.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee MAY sound like a strange combination at first.
But stick with me. It’s actually gaining in popularity.
And for good reason.
This combination of coffee and mushrooms was believed to have originated in Finland during World War II as a coffee substitute, when traditional coffee beans were not available.
Don't worry, it doesn’t taste like mushrooms at all!
Most often mushroom coffee is made with mixing adaptogenic mushrooms and coffee beans, so the taste can easily be disguised.
There are several brands of mushroom coffee out there, and each have different mushroom-to-coffee ratios which will ultimately affect the flavor.
So, you'll need to try different ones to see which tastes the best to you!
What are The Pros and Cons of Mushroom Coffee?
So what exactly are the potential pros and cons of giving mushroom coffee a try?
First, let's look at some of the touted benefits of mushroom coffee.
The combination of coffee with medicinal mushroom extracts provides this unique beverage with numerous health benefits not found in regular coffee.
From gut health support to potential anti-inflammatory effects, mushroom coffee may offer protective compounds thanks to the blend of functional mushrooms.
Mushroom coffee certainly has some potential downsides to consider as well.
Since it contains caffeine, overdoing mushroom coffee intake can lead to side effects like headaches, jitteriness, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Some people may also experience digestive issues or allergic reactions to the mushroom ingredients.
Starting slowly and moderating the caffeine from mushroom coffee is key to minimizing these potential downsides.
The Benefits of Mushroom Coffee (a.k.a - The Pros!)
So many benefits are believe to come with mushroom coffee when compared to regular coffee.
This is mainly due to the adaptogenic mushrooms that give this brew its name.
Let's look at some possible health benefits that you may get from this tasty beverage.
1. Helps You Manage Stress
This coffee is believed to help your body manage stress and restore balance after a hectic day.
Studies have shown that adaptogens, like those found in mushroom coffee, can help balance out cortisol levels in your blood and saliva.
This means sipping on this unique blend could help alleviate some of the effects of stress on your body and make you feel better.
2. Improved Digestion
Mushroom coffee can be great for your digestion!
While regular coffee can be harsh on sensitive stomachs, mushroom coffee can be quite the opposite.
This is because most contain healthy bacteria that actually work to support your gut. Plus, the mushrooms in the coffee have prebiotics that promote the production of healthy bacteria in your gut flora.
So, not only can mushroom coffee be a tasty and unique addition to your morning routine, but it can also help soothe digestive troubles.
3. Immunity Boost
Some mushroom varieties are known for their potential health benefits, such as boosting the immune system.
Specifically, turkey tail mushrooms can work wonders for your immune system. And if you want to mix it up, try looking for blends that also contain chaga, cordyceps for even more immune-boosting benefits.
Not only will your morning cup of joe taste amazing, but you'll also be giving your body the boost it needs to stay healthy and happy.
4. Reduced Inflammation
Mushroom coffee may not only satisfy your caffeine cravings, but also give your body an anti-inflammatory boost.
Believe it or not, mushrooms have also been proven to carry anti-inflammatory properties.
That's right.
They can potentially protect against chronic diseases.
Health experts argue that chronic levels of inflammation can cause a variety of illnesses (i.e-cancer), and by consuming mushroom coffee, you may be helping your body reduce inflammation and better fight against disease.
Some (Possible) Cons of Mushroom Coffee
The good news is that mushroom coffee generally has fairly few side effects!
However, like any other caffeinated beverage, mushroom coffee can have some downsides, especially if consumed in excess.
Side effects can range from the usual suspects like:
- Headaches- Ever noticed that nagging headache that creeps up when you've had a bit too much caffeine? Well, mushroom coffee can also be a culprit. Just like your regular coffee, mushroom coffee contains caffeine, and high intake can lead to headaches. It's like the universe's way of telling you that you may have overdone it on the caffeine front.
- Jitteriness -You know that shaky, restless feeling when you're like a squirrel on caffeine? Yep, that's jitteriness for you. It can be quite uncomfortable, especially when you're trying to focus on something important. So, if you feel like you're buzzing after a cup of mushroom coffee, it might be time to cut back.
- Nervousness- Picture this - you're about to make a presentation and suddenly your heart starts racing like a Formula 1 car, even though you've prepared well. That could be the nervousness kicking in, courtesy of the caffeine in mushroom coffee. It's like having those butterflies in your stomach, but not in a good way.
- (Possible) Allergic reactions- Especially for those who are sensitive to mushrooms. Symptoms of a possible mushroom allergy may include hives, stomach pain, vomiting, and even chest pain.
- Adverse reactions for certain groups (i.e.-SIBO, FODMAPs)- People who have SIBO or who are sensitive to FODMAPs may have a negative reaction (i.e-extra bloating, gas or discomfort) to mushroom coffee due to the prebiotics nature of mushrooms.
If you are considering adding mushroom coffee to your routine, start off slow and LISTEN to your body.
And remember folks, like with many things in life, the key is moderation.
So, go easy on the mushroom coffee. Enjoy the benefits, but be mindful of the potential hitches!
Mushroom Coffee Brands (+ Coffee Alternatives)
While there are SO many types of mushroom coffee out there, we have broken down some of our top favorite mushroom coffee brands and have included the coffee alternatives in there as well.
Ryze Mushroom Coffee
This is one of the most popular mushroom coffee blends and for good reason. It contains high quality, organic ingredients and is California grown.
Plus, it's the hands-down FAVORITE blend of My So-Called Gut! We can't stop singing it's praises.
Heck, we even created a bunch of Ryze coffee recipes so that we can enjoy the benefits of adaptogens. All. Day. Long.
This special brew is made with organic Arabica coffee that is blended with adaptogenic mushrooms for boosted focus and stress relief. Plus, it's made with absolutely no fillers or additives.
Not only will you be starting your day off on the right foot, but you'll be giving your body the nutrients it needs to stay sharp and alert throughout the day.
Trust us.
After trying Ryze Mushroom Coffee, you'll never want to go back to your plain old cup of joe again.
Although on the pricier side, Ryze offers a starter pack that gives you a better value for your money.
Not only does the starter pack give you over 60-servings of Ryze coffee, but it also provides a recipe booklet, acacia serving spoon, and more.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Another My So-Called Gut favorite, is this mushroom coffee by Four Sigmatic.
This Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee is definitely NOT new to our blog. We have sung it's praises in many of blog posts at MSG. It one of our personal go-to mushroom coffee favorites for several reasons.
- Gut Health Focus. That's right, it is EXTRA targeted for gut health. Adding in Turkey Tail mushrooms to this brew gives this mushroom coffee and even added "plus" in terms of gut health support. Turkey tail mushrooms have so many known benefits for gut health and general immune support. In Japan, Turkey tail mushrooms have been given to patients for years to help improve the overall effectiveness of cancer treatments.
- Delicious. We do think it's one of the better tasting mushroom coffees out there. Don't believe us? Read the several thousand reviews that also back up this claim. Try it out. Even my no-mushroom-coffee-drinking husband can't get enough!
MUD WTR
Another HIGHLY popular brand is MUD/WTR coffee alternative.
Unlike the above products, the MUD WTR brand is a tea-based mushroom beverage. Therefore, the overall taste would be more suited to someone who prefers tea over coffee.
One of their more popular products is the Masala Chai, which has a delicious cinnamon spice flavor.
If Masala Chai is not your thing, they also have other mushroom beverage products such as Matcha, Rooibos-based blends (Rest, Gold), and more!
Full disclosure: This product is on the pricier side, which is why we tend to lean towards some of the others mushroom coffee/coffee alternative products.
But, if it is in your budget then I definitely encourage you to try the MUD WTR brand.
The quality, taste and health benefits in the MUD WTR products are undeniably there!
VitaCup
VitaCup Shroom Fuel Mushroom drink is another product on our Mushroom Coffee Brands + Coffee Alternatives list.
Although similar to the MUD WTR products, Shroom Fuel by VitaCup contains no actual coffee.
Unlike MUD WTR, the VitaCup Shroom Fuel product is a cacao-based mushroom drink that contain less than 5mg of caffeine.
This product is great for those who are looking for the health benefits of an adaptogenic mushroom drink, but without the higher levels of caffeine.
Plus, not only does this drink contain the healthy lion's mane and chaga mushrooms, but it also has added boosters such as Maca as well as a specialty blend of vitamins B1, B5, B6, B9, and B12.
This VitaCup product is definitely nice to have later in your day where you can drink it without concern of higher levels of caffeine.
As some of the other mushroom beverages listed here MIGHT keep you up a little too late.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Mushroom Coffee
With more mushroom coffee blends entering the market, it can get overwhelming trying to pick the best option for you.
Not all mushroom coffees are created equal.
Especially when it comes to factors like coffee bean quality, functional mushroom sources, and potential anti-inflammatory compounds.
Before brewing your first cup, keep these key considerations in mind when choosing a mushroom coffee to suit your needs and preferences.
Examining the Mushroom Sources
When researching mushroom coffee products, it helps to understand where the functional mushrooms come from.
Many quality mushroom coffee brands use a blend of mushrooms that are organically grown or wild-harvested.
Reishi, lion's mane, and chaga are examples of mushrooms often sustainably wild-crafted.
Opting for USDA-certified organic mushrooms can help ensure purity and potency.
Ideally, the mushrooms are extracted into supplements using a hot water or dual extraction process, which helps preserve beneficial compounds. It's also important to verify the mushrooms are tested for quality and safety.
Simply grinding raw mushrooms into a powder doesn't unlock their full potential. While your body can break down the mushroom fiber, an extraction process applies heat to make the therapeutic compounds more bioavailable.
So when choosing a mushroom coffee, look for products made with dual extracts or hot water extraction methods. This helps ensure you reap the full benefits of the medicinal mushrooms.
Consider Your Caffeine Tolerance
Since mushroom coffee still contains caffeine, it's important to consider your personal caffeine tolerance before adding it to your routine.
Those very sensitive to caffeine may want to stick to decaf coffee varieties. For others, the approximately half caffeine content in mushroom coffee compared to regular coffee may offer the perfect balance and energy boost.
I am VERY caffeine-sensitive and find that mushroom coffee is the PERFECT amount of caffeine for me. It gives me the added alertness but without any of the negative caffeine side effects (i.e-jitters, headaches, etc.).
Keep in mind that factors like your genetics, lifestyle, sleep habits, and any medications you take can all impact caffeine sensitivity.
It's best to start slowly with mushroom coffee and pay attention to any side effects like jitters or insomnia. Finding your optimal caffeine intake level is key to enjoying mushroom coffee safely.</p>
Conclusion
After reviewing the potential pros and cons, mushroom coffee clearly offers some intriguing benefits.
The addition of medicinal mushrooms like lion's mane, reishi, and chaga provides this unique brew with numerous health benefits not found in a regular cup of coffee.
A cup of mushroom coffee can be truly enjoyable. That is. if you find the right formula and brand.
From gut health support to anti-inflammatory effects, functional mushrooms can be a healthier alternative to start your day. Plus with its numerous benefits like stress management, digestion support, and immune system support, who wouldn't want to try it?
Get creative with your coffee ritual and take advantage of all that mushroom coffee has to offer.
Check out some of these products and let us know how you liked them. We'd love to hear your opinion!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the health benefits of drinking mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee contains adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, chaga, and cordyceps, which are associated with several potential health benefits.
These medicinal mushrooms may help manage stress, support digestion and gut health, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation.
How is mushroom coffee different from regular coffee?
Mushroom coffee generally contains less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee, along with extracted mushroom powder or extracts for additional functional compounds. The mushrooms add unique nutrients like antioxidants, while slightly reducing the caffeine content compared to traditional coffee.
Are there any downsides to drinking mushroom coffee daily?
Consuming too much caffeine from any source can lead to side effects like jitteriness, headaches, and insomnia for some. People sensitive to mushrooms may also experience digestive issues or allergic reactions. Moderation is key, and some people do best with alternating mushroom coffee and regular coffee or decaf varieties.
How Is Mushroom Coffee Made?
Generally speaking, mushroom coffee is made by extracting the fruiting bodies of mushrooms and turning them into a fine organic powder that's free from any additives. The powder is then mixed with coffee beans through a dual extraction process.
