The mushroom coffee trend has quickly taken hold on social media, but does it work? This innovative beverage combines medicinal mushrooms like chaga, lion’s mane, reishi and turkey tail with regular coffee beans for a nutrient-packed beverage. After being dried and extracted they’re blended in with coffee grounds resulting in an energy drink with all of the same benefits without caffeine jitters!

Most health claims made about mushroom coffee have not been demonstrated through human studies; however, certain kinds of mushroom coffee brew may help with digestive and immune function issues, blood sugar regulation issues, energy boost and weight loss. Unfortunately, however, their high cost makes them unaffordable to many individuals with preexisting conditions and the mushrooms used may increase risk for kidney stones as they contain oxalates that could form kidney stones.

Medicinal mushrooms are classified as adaptogens, meaning that they help regulate your body’s stress response and enhance mental clarity and focus. Furthermore, mushrooms provide B vitamins, vitamin D and selenium. As a dietitian, I advocate the importance of including whole foods like mushrooms for creating a well-rounded diet – raw or cooked into soups stews and chili, mushrooms are delicious snacks which also offer important potassium and selenium!

Coffee and mushroom combinations often include an assortment of chaga, lion’s mane, turkey tail, reishi cordyceps and shiitake mushrooms; these mushrooms are dried and extracted to concentrate their bioactive compounds before being combined with coffee grounds for use as medicine. While culinary varieties might be chosen because of perceived culinary benefits; medicinal varieties often feature specific therapeutic benefits that make them suitable for medicinal use.

These mushroom coffees often combine additional ingredients like ashwagandha, MCT oil and collagen for an energizing experience. Instant packets or ready-to-go lattes may be available for sale while others must be brewed just like any other coffee product. Some mushroom coffee varieties offer reduced levels of caffeine compared to regular java, making it suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, children and individuals with underlying heart conditions.

As a dietitian, I have mixed opinions about mushroom coffee. While it does offer some health advantages, there is no convincing evidence to show it outstrips regular coffee in terms of effectiveness. Furthermore, for maximum effectiveness when it comes to reaping mushroom benefits it’s best to consume them naturally rather than through supplement forms.