Mushrooms are valued for their ability to enhance savory dishes with a rich, brothy flavor known as umami, and they are packed with vitaminsminerals and antioxidants. Not only do they taste great, but they are also healthy. However, until recently, you might not have thought of adding them to your coffee.

Now, mushroom coffee is gaining popularity with enthusiasts claiming that it offers various health benefits such as better sleep, increased energy, better concentration, increased immunity and reduced inflammation.

Let's explore whether the health claims surrounding mushroom coffee are valid.

What is mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee is usually made with medicinal mushrooms, not the typical ones found in the supermarket. Common varieties in mushroom coffee blends include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, royal trumpet, and turkey tail, all selected for their potential health benefits. When these mushrooms are harvested, dried, and processed, their presence is often subtle, especially when mixed with coffee beans, cocoa, or tea blends like matcha or chai. Most people describe the flavor as “nutty” or “earthy,” or they may not notice any flavor at all.

What are the possible health benefits of mushroom coffee?

The concept behind mushroom coffee is simple: harness the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms in a convenient and (hopefully) tasty coffee drink.

Many mushroom coffee brands highlight the use of mushrooms in traditional medicine. go back thousands of years to Chinese and Ayurvedic practices. They claim benefits such as better physical and mental performance, increased immunity, and better sleep. Some even suggest that mushroom coffee could help weight loss stimulating metabolism and burning fat.

However, research on medicinal mushrooms specifically involving humans is lacking. Although studies in cells or animals show promising health benefits from the consumption of medicinal mushrooms, it is unclear if the same effects apply to humans.

So is mushroom coffee worth trying?

Probably. Mushrooms have several health benefits. TO recent review published in the journal Molecules suggests that medicinal mushrooms commonly found in many coffee blends may boost immunity and help regulate metabolism. Its high antioxidant content could also help slow down the aging process.

That said, there is still a shortage of well-structured clinical trials in humans. Additionally, none of the existing research directly involves mushroom coffee, so it is unclear whether any health benefits survive the processing and blending of mushrooms into coffee drinks.

In the end, swapping your regular cup of coffee for mushroom coffee may not hurt, especially if you're okay with paying a little more. However, you can get more benefits by enjoying a side of shiitake mushrooms with your eggs and morning coffee. They're low in calories and fat, high in fiber, and tasty too!