There’s quite a buzz around mushroom coffee these days. Some social-media influencers claim the lightly caffeinated beverage can provide a sense of calm, long-lasting energy, laser-sharp focus, and other benefits.
But do these fungi-infused beverages deliver on those alleged health benefits? Here’s what to know.
What is mushroom coffee?
“It’s mostly a blend of mushrooms—in the form of dried powders or extracts—combined with ground coffee,” says Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian-nutritionist in New York City and an associate professor emeritus of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. These aren’t the button mushrooms, portobellos, cremini, oyster, or shiitake mushrooms you’d normally cook with. Nor are they psychedelic mushrooms. “You won’t be hallucinating,” Ayoob clarifies.
These are “adaptogenic” mushrooms, which can help your body better respond to stress and fatigue, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With names like lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, and cordyceps, each is purported to have different benefits. For example, “lion’s mane has been explored for its potential role in enhancing cognitive function,” says Wendy Bazilian, a registered dietitian in San Diego and host of the 1,000 Waking Minutes podcast. Meanwhile, reishi is believed to regulate immune function, cordyceps is purported to boost energy, and chaga is full of antioxidants.
What are the proven health benefits of mushroom coffee?
Research hasn’t focused much on mushroom coffee itself. But there have been studies on some of the medicinal mushrooms—a fungi category known for its health benefits that’s used in traditional Chinese medicine and includes adaptogenic mushrooms—which these brews contain. For example, medicinal mushrooms such as lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and turkey tail contain bioactive compounds that have demonstrated anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and immune-modulating effects in laboratory and preclinical research, according to a 2023 review published in the journal Molecules. It’s not yet known whether those translate into meaningful benefits for people.
And “mushroom coffee does include compounds like beta-glucans that have been studied for their role in immune function and inflammation,” says Bazilian. Much of this research comes from lab or animal studies, she adds, or from human trials using controlled doses that may be different from what you’d get from a cup of mushroom coffee.
How does mushroom coffee compare to regular coffee?
“It’s not the same flavor as the mushrooms we’re sautéing and putting into a stir-fry,” says Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian-nutritionist based in Atlanta and author of The Plant Love Kitchen. Mushroom coffee doesn’t have the same taste as coffee, either. It’s more of an earthy or umami flavor, Ayoob says.
The effects of mushroom coffee are a bit different, too. “Because these are lower in caffeine—they contain about half of what’s in a cup of coffee—they will potentially give you less of that jittery feeling and they may be less harsh on the stomach,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian-nutritionist based in Chicago and author of The Superfood Swap. And because the caffeine content is lower than in coffee, there’s less of a spike-and-crash pattern with mushroom coffee.
Are there any drawbacks to mushroom coffee?
The price may be one of the biggest downsides, because mushroom coffee tends to be considerably more expensive than many bagged coffees, Ayoob says. “The more exotic the mushroom, the more likely it is to be costly.”
Another potential concern has to do with quality control. Many mushrooms “absorb compounds from their environment—so sourcing and cultivation practices matter,” says Toby Amidor, a registered dietitian based in New York. Look for products that have been tested for contaminants like lead, arsenic, and mercury.
While medicinal mushrooms are generally considered safe for many people, there are some exceptions. If you take prescription medications, it’s best to check with your doctor before trying mushroom coffee. “Some mushrooms like reishi may interact with medications such as blood thinners,” says Bazilian. And chaga is high in oxalates, so if you’re predisposed to kidney stones, mushroom coffee with chaga might be risky, Moore says.
Should you try it?
As long as it’s safe for you, the decision is yours. Keep in mind: “This is not some magic bullet or upgrade,” says Blatner. “But if you like coffee and want a little less caffeine and the benefits of mushrooms, this could be a good thing to try out in your life.”
If you’re happy with your current java habit, there’s no reason to jump on the mushroom-coffee bandwagon. Your brew is already providing a lot more established benefits. “Coffee is one of the most well-studied beverages out there—it’s consistently associated with benefits like a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and even overall mortality,” Bazilian says. “Mushroom coffee doesn’t have that depth of evidence yet.”