Mushroom coffee is an increasingly popular wellness trend that blends traditional black coffee with powdered medicinal mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps for an enhanced caffeine kick with immune-enhancing adaptogens and potential cognitive advantages. Mushroom coffee may also offer appetite control benefits by reducing inflammation levels and helping the body handle stress more easily.

Registered dieticians and health experts generally concur that mushroom coffee can be safely consumed during fasting, provided it does not contain added sugar or milk. This is due to its minimal caloric intake which does not trigger an insulin response that breaks the fast.

As with any food, mushroom coffee should be taken on a fast with caution for those who may have digestive or immune system issues. If your stomach is sensitive, take it slowly while adding extra water if possible to ease any discomfort caused by mushroom coffee consumption.

As it relates to fasting, the type of fast you are undertaking plays an integral part in deciding if and when mushroom coffee should be included as part of it. If you are undertaking a strict water fast, any added sugar or milk would break it; functional mushroom coffee contains neither ingredient and therefore works perfectly during this type of fast.

For fasting protocols with more flexibility, the answer to whether mushroom coffee will break their fast is more nuanced. Although most functional mushroom coffees won’t interrupt a fast, it would be wise to avoid them during full liquid fasts such as water or broth since these may cause digestive upset and be harmful.

When fasting for specific purposes such as ketosis or autophagy, it’s essential that foods and beverages that may interfere with these goals are avoided. Though mushrooms do not directly spike insulin, they still interact with the mTOR pathway and create unwanted cell responses which could impede ketosis or interrupt autophagy.

Functional mushroom coffees can be eaten during intermittent fasting as long as they don’t contain added sugars or dairy. Everyday Dose mushroom coffee, for instance, can be enjoyed during fasts without significantly altering insulin or metabolic switch to calorie burning mode. Each serving only contains 25 calories which do not significantly impact insulin or metabolic function. Furthermore, it contains only low levels of soluble fiber, which has been known to trigger digestive reactions in some individuals – something worth remembering as well. However, some individuals may still find their personal tolerance of mushroom coffee is different and, thus, it may be necessary to experiment with various options before finding one they like most. As always, consult your healthcare professional first when taking new supplements as this will ensure they are safe.