Mushrooms are revered for their umami flavor to savory dishes, richness of nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a go-to ingredient in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. More recently though, mushrooms are enjoying greater recognition in mainstream life – from smoothies, hot chocolate and coffee drinks to mushroom coffee which blends traditional coffee with extracts from medicinal mushrooms such as Chaga, Turkey tail and Reishi to reduce stress, boost energy, support immune health and improve sleep. Proponents claim this beverage will reduce stress while supporting immunity health while improving sleep while aiding immune health while supporting immune health while improving sleep by relaxing muscles to increasing immune health support as well.

Mushroom coffee is not made with actual mushroom pieces; rather, manufacturers dry and extract beneficial components from different kinds of mushrooms before mixing them with regular coffee grounds to produce this beverage. The final product looks and tastes similar to regular coffee but with an earthier or nuttier flavor due to the adaptogen ingredients incorporated in its making; such compounds help the body deal with stress as well as possess anti-inflammatory properties that make this drink so popular among many drinkers.

While research suggests certain mushrooms may help reduce stress, support immunity and enhance sleep, there is not sufficient evidence that indulging in dried, extracted and brewed mushrooms – or their mixture in coffee — produces similar benefits. Furthermore, most research into mushroom coffee benefits has been done on animals rather than humans.

Reishi and Chaga mushrooms, two popular options used in mushroom coffee beverages, have both been demonstrated to exhibit immunomodulatory properties in preclinical studies. Chaga’s glucans may help prevent oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells while Reishi has been found to reduce cholesterol levels, potentially decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease.

However, mushroom coffee doesn’t offer all of the nutritional benefits provided by whole mushrooms in their natural state. Whole mushrooms provide B vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, choline, antioxidants and dietary fiber – something mushroom coffee cannot offer.

Mushroom coffee contains many mushrooms containing high concentrations of oxalates, which may aggravate digestive conditions in some people. If you suffer from chronic illness or take prescription medications, consulting a dietitian before beginning this beverage could be essential.