Recently mushroom coffee has become one of the internet’s latest trends, claiming to provide everything from immune system support to anti-ageing properties. But can this drink really deliver on its promises? As with many trends that gain steam on social media platforms like TikTok, this may simply be more hype than substance.

Mushroom coffee is typically composed of ground coffee beans mixed with mushroom extracts that have been dried and processed to concentrate their bioactive compounds. This process may help preserve some of the medicinal benefits, though not always successfully; some specific mushrooms used may provide immune system boosts or cognitive benefits, along with neuroprotective, antiviral or antioxidant benefits as well.

However, the specific ingredients found in mushroom coffee depend on its brand. A popular blend is Everyday Dose Coffee which contains lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms as well as bovine collagen and L-Theanine for focus and stress management. It is described as an “enhancer, cognitive booster, energy tonic and liver cleanser.” Additionally it may help improve sleep quality and digestion.

Attributed health benefits of mushroom coffee may not be supported by well-designed clinical trials; mushroom coffee vendors tend to exaggerate these claims; to reap these advantages it would be wiser to incorporate eating whole (ideally locally-sourced) mushrooms as part of your regular coffee consumption routine.

Mushroom coffee has several disadvantages compared to regular coffee: it is typically more costly, and its mushroom extracts may irritate those suffering from kidney or digestive conditions – especially those suffering from chaga mushrooms which contain high concentrations of oxalates linked with kidney stone formation.

Most mushroom coffee products come in powder form that’s mixed with boiling water and instant coffee for easy preparation, similar to regular coffee but with more umami notes. Some mushroom coffee blends can even be sweetened using milk or another dairy alternative as is done for regular coffee beverages.

Though there is no definitive answer on whether mushroom coffee is beneficial to your health, most people don’t experience any major side effects from drinking it. If you suffer from digestive or kidney issues, be sure to consult your physician prior to trying mushroom coffee as this might lead to worse outcomes than simply sticking with regular coffee beverages.