Discover the Top Shroom Coffee Benefits for Your Health and Wellness

Coffee is delicious. Scientists have already uncovered a lot of health benefits, ranging from anti-inflammatory polyphenols to some associations with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Even aside from the science, it's a fun, energizing drink that tastes great and lets you customize your own recipes. However, shroom coffee may double down on both the health benefits and overall tastiness.

If you've been hearing more about the benefits of mushroom coffee or it's been on your list of drinks to try out, we've put together this quick guide to the potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms, what you need to know before drinking mushroom coffee, and how to pick a mushroom blend you'll love.

What Is Mushroom Coffee? 

If someone offers you a deliciously warm cup of mushroom coffee, they might be offering you one of two different drinks. Most often, mushroom coffee means a blend of ground coffee beans and mushroom extracts. Some mushroom coffee blends feature a single adaptogenic mushroom, while others feature a combination of different mushrooms depending on the health effects they want to unlock.

The second type of "mushroom coffee" you might see is a coffee alternative made primarily from mushroom powder (no coffee beans included). This caffeine-free coffee alternative is a popular choice for people who want to access the potential health benefits of mushroom extracts without the taste or buzz of coffee grounds. 

Some of the most common mushrooms you might see in mushroom coffee are: 

• Lion's Mane: Lion's mane extract is commonly associated with mental clarity, mood stability, calmness, and immune benefits. 
• Chaga: This mushroom shows potential health benefits like better immune health, lower blood pressure, and anti-inflammatory effects. 
• Reishi: There is growing evidence that reishi compounds can improve immune systems, reduce stress, and improve cardiovascular health.
• Cordyceps: Cordyceps may help lower inflammation, boost athletic performance, and protect cells from oxidation.
• Maitake: Maitake is also associated with physical health benefits like lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risk of type 2 diabetes.

As you explore different mushroom coffee drinks, you can zero in on specific health benefits that interest you or pick a well-rounded blend.

Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

Scientists are still discovering new benefits to coffee, different varieties of medicinal mushrooms, and the tasty combo we're exploring today: mushroom coffee. Consider how these potential benefits can change your daily routine and overall health: 

• Adaptogenic-based mood support: Reishi mushrooms may help alleviate low moods and anxiety.
• Diverse microbiome: Coffee blends with turkey tail mushrooms may have polysaccharides that promote "good" gut bacteria for better gut health.
• Less inflammation: Some "medicinal" mushroom coffees (such as those with reishi or Cordyceps mushrooms) might reduce inflammation. Studies are still pending on the anti-inflammatory effects of triterpenes on people, but the blends are still rich in well-researched polyphenols.
• Lower caffeine levels: Mushroom coffee blends have a lower dose of caffeine, giving drinkers a boost of energy without causing jitters. Whether you're looking for a way to drink more coffee throughout the day or regular coffee makes you antsy, you can enjoy the boost without crashing.
• More blood sugar regulation: Observational studies show that drinking even regular coffee may reduce your risk of type 3 diabetes. If mushroom coffee is easier to drink in the morning than conventional coffee, you can tap into the benefits. Some mushrooms have also increased insulin sensitivity in animal studies.

These possible shroom coffee benefits aside, many people love mushroom coffee because they experience better immune system health and improved cognitive function. Let's take a closer look at these two shroom coffee benefits. 

Immune System Support

One of the commonly explored benefits of mushroom blends is how they may support immune systems—but how exactly does that work? Scientists have researched the beneficial effects of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B6. These nutrients protect cells, help immune cells function, and reduce inflammation that can interfere with your immune system's effectiveness. Many mushrooms contain selenium and vitamin B6. Some mushrooms also contain ergosterol, which can turn into vitamin D. 

But mushrooms also contain another bioactive compound that may also help boost immune health: polysaccharides like beta-glucans. Some mushroom polysaccharides may activate lymphocytes and phagocytes, regulate cytokine levels, and more.

Looking for even more immune system benefits from specific mushrooms in your morning coffee? Turkey tail mushroom extracts may help reduce swelling and inflammation that can interfere with positive immune responses. Ganoderma lucidem extracts have also been seen to reduce tumor size in mice with liver cancer.

Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection

One of the most celebrated wins of adaptogenic, medicinal mushrooms is the cognitive boost that the right blends offer many drinkers. Some mushrooms may boost brain cells' growth cones, allowing them to build new connections and neural pathways. Lion's Mane may also stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) for nerve cells, while reishi's antioxidants could help neural cells live longer with less damage. Scientists associate cordyceps with memory-boosting effects as well. Whether your routine centers around a brew of mushroom coffee with just one of these mushrooms or a blend of all of them, you may notice these positive effects in 16 weeks (though some studies indicate short-term effects within an hour of consumption).

Cordyceps, with its bioactive compound cordycepin, may improve ATP production, giving cells more energy and reducing overall fatigue. By mitigating physical exhaustion, cordyceps might help us further access natural cognitive function. 

Scientists are also diving deep into how mushroom coffee can provide neuroprotection. This "brain protection" focus is all about the bioactive compounds that can combat oxidative stress and inflammation linked to chronic cognitive conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. If mushroom extracts can protect our neurons from damage and disease, they may prolong cognitive health as we age.

Health Claims and Research

All of the research into mushrooms and their bioactive compounds is exciting. But, as with all emerging science about health and wellness, it pays to temper exciting "maybes" with caution. A lot of what we know about the physical and cognitive benefits of these mushrooms is based on animal studies or how many identified compounds in the mushrooms (like vitamin B6 and polysaccharides) correlate with known health benefits. Scientists still need to conduct extensive clinical trials with humans to determine factors like: 

• General efficacy and bioavailability
• Concentrations and appropriate dosage size over time
• How preparation methods such as heat, extraction, and powderization affect the bioactive compounds
• Why some people may respond to different mushrooms and mushroom coffees differently

The known therapeutic benefits for animals and humans are promising, but the science isn't strong enough to make guarantees. Over the next few years, we may see more definite benefits in the realms of immune system health, cognitive health, and physical health. Scientists are also exploring the indirect weight loss benefits of mushrooms, such as through blood sugar regulation rather than direct belly fat reduction or fat loss. 

As with any new health food you're thinking about adding to your routine, it's best to go slow, purchase products from a brand you trust, and talk to your doctor about the science behind the headlines. Your doctor can also help you determine if different mushrooms are the right fit for your diet based on the medications you take, your health and lifestyle, and the advantages you want to unlock by drinking shroom coffee.

Caffeine-Free Options

Earlier, we talked about how there are two different types of mushroom coffee: regular coffee blended with mushroom extracts and a powdered drink mix that doesn't have any coffee or caffeine at all. Coffee-mushroom blends can reduce your caffeine consumption simply because there's less coffee per cup. But if you're looking for completely caffeine-free alternatives that you can enjoy any time, the second type can become your go-to morning brew or evening treat.

Here are some caffeine-free options to consider: 

• Add Sweet & Creamy with Adaptogens Superfood Creamer® to your decaf, cocoa, or herbal tea: You can get an adaptogenic blend of functional mushrooms through your creamer instead. This lets you stick to your favorite teas and hot drinks, and you can simply substitute your powder creamer for a pre-made mix of chaga, Lion's Mane, maitake, and cordyceps with coconut milk powder. 
• Take the reins with Organic Performance Mushrooms: You can make your own drink with our performance mushrooms powder and hot water or almond milk! Buying functional mushrooms gives you the ultimate freedom to go caffeine-free, try something half-caff, or see what recipes taste even better with an infusion of adaptogens.

Adding Mushrooms to Your Coffee Routine

Deciding you want to try adaptogenic and functional mushrooms is one thing. But trying to modify your morning routines, recipes, and shopping habits to make mushroom coffee part of your coffee routine can be overwhelming in a sea of different products and health "hacks."

If you're looking for a convenient way to experiment, an easy—and tasty—solution is buying a bag of ground coffee with functional mushrooms already blended in. Our medium roast Organic PERFORM Functional Mushroom Coffee already comes with extracts of chaga, Lion's Mane, maitake, and cordyceps. (We also offer dark roast!) You can supercharge your morning by simply making your coffee the way you always do. Some additional specialty blends we offer are: 

• DEFEND Functional Mushroom Coffee – Medium Roast with botanicals and olive leaf
• FOCUS Medium Roast Ground Coffee with coffee cherry and Rhodiola extracts

Once you decide a mushroom blend is the right fit, you can make it even easier by getting an online subscription. Many mushroom coffee products come with this option, so you can get a timely delivery of functional mushrooms that might not be easy to find in your local grocery store. 

If you're exploring different functional mushroom benefits or like the taste and mouthfeel of some mushrooms more than others, you can even experiment with different blends, research non-blended mushrooms, and try different brands. As you go on your adaptogenic adventure, just be sure to research each brand and the quality of their ingredients.

Debunking Common Myths

Unfortunately, there are some common myths surrounding functional mushrooms. After all, healthy morning drinks aren't just an increasingly well-researched trend—they're also a fad. This means some of the information you get may be overblown or overgeneralized, and we want to help make sure you're drinking mushroom coffee for the right reasons and with the right expectations.

So, take care not to be persuaded by myths like these: 

• "Mushroom coffee can cure everything!"—Medicinal mushroom coffee is not a cure-all. It doesn't replace medication or treatment. In fact, a lot of the in-progress research centers around preventative benefits, not treatments or cures. Mushroom coffee is also not a detox regimen—as a general rule of thumb, "detox" is just marketing jargon.
• "You can take medicinal mushroom coffee for depression!"—Mushroom coffee is never a replacement for anxiety medications, depression treatment, or therapy. If you want to take medicinal mushroom coffee because of its potential cognitive and emotional benefits, do so with the cautious guidance of your doctor in cooperation with prescribed treatments.
• "All mushroom coffees are the same!" The FDA regulates ingredient and product safety, but the efficacy of mushroom extracts isn't always on their radar. It's important to learn about different extraction methods, what different mushrooms may offer, and how different companies source their mushrooms. Every mushroom coffee is different.

Choosing a High-Quality Coffee

Handling that last myth is challenging, especially if you're new to mushroom coffees and want a simple solution that tastes great and offers the right mushrooms for the potential health and wellness benefits you're after. But it's becoming much simpler to navigate the mushroom coffee marketplace.

First, know what mushrooms you're looking for. We briefly discussed some of the most popular ones at the start of the article, and you can find lots of coffee blends that have most or all of the ones you want, already mixed into the coffee.

Next, zero in on coffees with organic and non-GMO ingredients. This isn't unique to finding a high-quality mushroom coffee product—prioritizing products that don't use GMOs and that only feature organic, whole-food ingredients can help you make nutritious decisions quickly.

While you're looking at the label, look at the mushroom details. You need answers to two questions: 

1. How much mushroom is in each serving? The label should say the total weight of the mushroom blend per serving. Either the label or the product website should say how much of each specific mushroom is in each serving, too. 
2. What's the processing method? For example, some brands use only the fruiting bodies of mushrooms, while others offer full-spectrum mushrooms (fruiting body, mycelium, and spores). Also, they might use either dual extraction (hot water and alcohol extraction) or simply hot water extraction.

Finally, choose a brand with a strong reputation for excellence. Look into the company's history, the reviews they have both on their website and on third-party sites, and their adherence to good manufacturing practices. With these simple steps, you'll find a mushroom coffee that checks each of your boxes—cheers!

Find Your Favorite Shroom Coffee at Laird

Mushroom coffee has a lot of potential health and wellness benefits that make it a popular drink. Whether you're excited about the cognitive science, looking for an anti-inflammatory brew that may boost your immune system, or simply want a tasty coffee with a bit less caffeine, mushroom coffee can fit neatly into your routine. But because the health benefits are still undergoing research and human clinical trials are still needed to prove those benefits, it's always best to consult with a trusted medical professional before you make it a big part of your day. 

Choosing the right products also plays an important part in your health and wellness journey. Laird is committed to creating high-quality mushroom blends, mushroom coffees, and mushroom creamers that feature organic and non-GMO ingredients. Explore our store to find some easy, accessible products to add mushroom coffee to your routine.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318527#:~:text=Chaga%20mushrooms%20are%20rich%20in,function%2C%20and%20reducing%20blood%20pressure.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom-benefits

https://www.webmd.com/diet/maitake-mushroom-health-benefits

https://lifeboostcoffee.com/blogs/lifeboost/the-top-10-benefits-of-ryze-mushroom-coffee 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772566922000696#:~:text=Many%20studies%20have%20shown%20that%20mushroom%20polysaccharides%20can%20stimulate%20the,roles%20in%20the%20immune%20system.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772566922000696#:~:text=Many%20studies%20have%20shown%20that%20mushroom%20polysaccharides%20can%20stimulate%20the,roles%20in%20the%20immune%20system.

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2023/02/mushrooms-magnify-memory-boosting-nerve-growth-0#:~:text=%E2%80%9CUsing%20super%2Dresolution%20microscopy%2C,other%20neurons%20in%20the%20brain.%E2%80%9D

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004235/