Mushroom coffee has taken the wellness world by storm. Once a niche product, it’s now featured in health food stores, praised by influencers, and sipped by curious coffee lovers everywhere. This trendy drink is usually sold in powder form and blends instant coffee with functional mushroom extracts—creating an earthy, umami-rich beverage that resembles your usual cup of joe.
With consumer interest in mushroom beverages increasing by over 50% year over year, mushroom coffee brands claim benefits ranging from enhanced focus to better immunity and improved sleep. But how much of this is backed by science, and how much is clever marketing? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a powdered mix of regular coffee combined with functional (or medicinal) mushrooms. Unlike culinary mushrooms you’d cook with, functional mushrooms are valued for their potential health benefits.
Common mushrooms used in mushroom coffee include:
- Lion’s mane
- Chaga
- Reishi
- Cordyceps
- Turkey tail
MyFitnessPal dietitian Lauren Cuda, RD, explains that each type of mushroom is believed to offer different benefits—for example, lion’s mane for mental focus, reishi for immunity, and cordyceps for stamina. However, she notes that “no one type is definitively better.”
Important Note:
Most scientific findings about these mushrooms come from studies using pure mushroom extracts, not mushroom coffee blends. Major clinical research on mushroom coffee itself is still lacking.
Another perk: mushroom coffee often contains less caffeine than regular coffee, depending on the brand. If you’re sensitive to caffeine but still enjoy a warm morning drink, it may be a gentler alternative.
Culinary vs. Functional Mushrooms
Culinary mushrooms (such as button, portobello, and shiitake) are enjoyed for flavor, while functional mushrooms are consumed for potential wellness benefits. All mushrooms, however, provide valuable nutrients. They are naturally low in calories and rich in:
- B vitamins
- Antioxidants
- Fiber
- Selenium
- Copper
- Potassium
Functional mushrooms tend to be woody, bitter, or tough—which is why they are typically processed into extracts, supplements, and mushroom coffee.
Cuda explains that culinary mushrooms support general nutrition, but if your goal is to consume functional mushrooms specifically, mushroom coffee or supplements can be a practical option depending on your wellness goals.
Pros and Cons of Mushroom Coffee
⭐ Potential Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
While research is still emerging, mushroom coffee may offer several benefits, primarily due to the mushroom extracts it contains:
- Immune system support
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved mental focus
- Enhanced stamina or athletic performance
- Lower caffeine intake (may reduce jitters or anxiety)
For people sensitive to caffeine, this lower-caffeine option can make coffee more enjoyable and easier on the nervous system.
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks of Mushroom Coffee
Despite the buzz, there are some important limitations:
- Lack of human clinical research: Most studies involve animal models or highly concentrated extracts—not brewed mushroom coffee.
- Possible medication interactions: According to Cuda, functional mushrooms may interact with:
- Immunosuppressants
- Blood pressure medications
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes medications
It’s essential to check with your healthcare provider before adding mushroom coffee to your routine, especially if you have health conditions or take medications.
Is Mushroom Coffee Worth Trying?
Mushroom coffee can be a flavorful, lower-caffeine alternative to regular coffee with potential wellness benefits. However, the science behind the health claims is still limited, and most benefits are associated with isolated mushroom extracts—not the diluted forms found in coffee blends.
If you’re curious, it can be a fun addition to your routine. Just be sure to consult your doctor if you’re on medications or managing a health condition.
