Mushrooms are revered not only for adding umami flavor to dishes, but they’re also packed full of nutrients and antioxidants that support immune function, ease stress levels, improve sleep patterns and decrease bloat. Mushroom coffee has long been used as medicinal mushrooms in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine; their popularity continues to grow among people looking for natural ways to boost immune function, ease stress levels, sleep better and reduce bloat. One trend among them is mushroom coffee – said to offer similar health benefits as green tea/black tea/coffee but with increased caffeine content compared to your average cup of Joe; some brands boast additional energy, improved focus reduction/bloat reduction/weight loss effects!

Mushroom coffee has quickly become a phenomenon, due to the belief that medicinal mushrooms containing plant-based adaptogens like chaga, reishi, lion’s mane and cordyceps contain plant-based adaptogens which may provide benefits when combined with coffee beans. Ground and blended medicinal mushrooms are then combined with instant coffee, grounds, latte mixes or pods sold online, becoming an increasingly popular social media trend. Although mushroom coffee certainly makes an appealing impression with many purported benefits but unfortunately little research exists supporting many of them.

Mushroom coffee companies may tout their benefits as being due to a lower caffeine content in their blends compared to regular coffee, yet this doesn’t always translate to greater health advantages: coffee can act as a diuretic and lead to frequent urination and dehydration; additionally, some mushroom-infused blends, especially those featuring Chaga mushrooms can contain high levels of oxalates which may lead to kidney stones.

There has been promising research conducted on medicinal mushrooms both in test tubes and animals; however, human clinical trials with well-designed designs have yet to take place. Even if those studies translate to mushroom coffee products, its efficacy remains uncertain after being ground into fine particles for grinding and brewing processes.

Some research indicates that mushroom-based adaptogens may help relieve stress by balancing cortisol levels – the hormone released in response to stressful situations. Furthermore, decreasing your caffeine consumption may reduce bloating; however this effect doesn’t always occur with mushroom coffee users.

Other claims made for mushroom coffee’s benefits pertain to its immune-enhancing capabilities. But according to a 2022 study in Molecules, while certain mushrooms do have proven immune-enhancing effects, their impact is unclear when applied as part of a coffee blend.

Czerwony suggests if you want to give mushroom coffee a try, to forgo mushroom extract in favor of whole mushrooms as part of your breakfast or lunch meal – they offer lower calories while being high in proteins and fiber content. Plus if caffeine (oxalates) causes problems for you there are mushroom powders and beverages designed with less caffeination in mind; all it takes is finding what suits you!