Mushroom Coffee Benefits: Should You Make the Switch?
Attention coffee enthusiasts! There’s a new beverage taking the world by storm mushroom coffee. Yup, you read that correctly. This combination of medicinal mushrooms and coffee beans is gaining attention for its many possible health benefits. But is it really an upgrade from your daily cup of coffee?
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
So, the idea of mushroom coffee may seem strange and a little off-putting at first—who puts
mushrooms in coffee? However, we are talking about medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, and a few others in contrast to edible mushrooms that are usually baked into other foods.
So what they do is dry out these mushrooms and grind them into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with standard coffee beans in a 1:1 ratio. This means that you will have the same flavor of your typical coffee, with the bonus of all the goodness that mushrooms offer.
The neat part is, it can have caffeine but not the jittery or anxious feeling those of you who conscientiously drink coffee experience. Many people say it gives a more balanced energy—fresh, but calm and focused.
Also, each mushroom has its own benefits. For example:
- Lion’s Mane is good for being focused and furthermore, brain health
- Chaga is a big source of antioxidants
- Reishi is known to help with stress and immunity
So basically, mushroom coffee is just giving your regular coffee a wellness upgrade. It tastes fairly
similar to regular coffee (sometimes a little earthy), but it’s easier on your gut, no crashes, and it has some added health benefits. That’s why lots of people, especially those into wellness, productivity or just looking to reduce caffeine, have started using it.
It’s not a magic elixir, but it’s definitely a fun thing to try especially if you have been bored to death with your regular cup of coffee.
Top Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
Mushroom coffee is not just a fancy way to drink coffee. It indeed has some amazing health benefits that make people want to drink it.
- Helps you stay focused:
If you are studying or working and feel tired or distracted, mushroom coffee will help. It can help you stay focused, especially the mushroom coffee made with lion’s mane mushroom — used for studies shown to be good for the brain and memory.
- No jittery feeling:
Some people react to normal coffee by feeling very energetic, shaky or anxious. Mushroom coffee gives you energy but it is calm energy. You feel fresh without being overly hyper.
- Easier on the tummy:
Normal coffee can cause some people to be stiff in the tummy, or feel acidity in the stomach. Mushroom coffee is a nice change of pace for those of you that have an easily upset tummy.
- Fantastic for Immunity:
Some of the types of mushrooms in your coffee like chaga and reishi do wonders for your immune system. This means that your body has better equipment to protect itself against common colds or infections.
- Loaded with Antioxidants:
Mushroom coffee has antioxidants, which are like little cleaners inside of your body. They help clean out any bad stuff and keep your cells working well, all while providing health benefits.
Ultimately, mushroom coffee is like a better coffee. You’ve still got the energy boost but without the downside and with some added health benefits as well.
Who Can Try Mushroom Coffee (and Who Should Not)?
Mushroom coffee is not for everyone, but it could potentially be right for some folks and make them feel better.
Who should try it:
If you’re health-conscious and are looking for something better than coffee, this is a good option. People who feel too jittery and restless after coffee may be comfortable with mushroom coffee.
It could also be useful for students who want to be focused during study time, and for professionals who need the energy to get work done but not feel anxious/tired afterward. Even people looking to help with digestion or stress may want to consider it.
Who should not:
If you’re pregnant, you should probably avoid mushroom coffee, unless it has been prescribed by your doctor. Also, people who are prescribed medicines for any type of illness should also speak with their doctor first, as some mushrooms are not compatible with medications for some illnesses/disorders.
And of course, anyone with an allergy to mushrooms probably shouldn’t try mushroom coffee.
Overall, it is a fairly good option for many, but not for all. It is always a good idea to heed your body’s physical responses, and check with a doctor if needed.
How to Start: Best Brands and Brewing Techniques
When you decide that you want to drink mushroom coffee, the first step is to identify a good brand. There are several popular brands sold in stores or online; Four Sigmatic, Vahdam Teas, MUD/WTR, and OM Mushroom Superfood. These brands properly mix together the right number of mushrooms and coffee to have a great taste and benefit you with the desired advantages.
When you buy mushroom coffee, generally it will be in powdered form or instant packets. You can brew it just like your regular coffee; you boil the water, pour the mushroom coffee powder into your mug, and stir it up. If you want to add milk or a little sugar to make it taste better, that’s fine also.
For best results, try to drink it either in the morning or whenever you may benefit from an energy boost. If you are new to drinking mushroom coffee, I would recommend starting with one beverage a day to observe how your body feels, and then you could increase it a more if desired.
You might have to get used to the different taste of mushroom coffee, compared to normal coffee; it may taste a little earthy or mild. Just hang in there, and you may start to love mushroom coffee more than normal coffee.
Conclusion
Mushroom coffee can be a healthy and gentle way for you to take daily caffeine. It supports focus, it provides steady energy, and it is easier on the stomach than regular coffee. If you are looking for something new and good for your body, mushroom coffee may be the way to go. If you are interested in trying mushroom coffee, give it a chance and see what it does for you.
