Mushroom coffee is expensive and has fewer health benefits than eating whole mushrooms

Is your social media timeline filled with people sipping on a warm, coffee-like drink … that’s made with mushrooms? You’re not the only one.

The idea of adding mushrooms to your diet as a wellness incentive isn’t exactly new. Adaptogens of all sorts have been part of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. But mushrooms have been having a moment — an extended one — in the Western world. It’s easier than ever to find mushroom powder, extract, tonics and gummies to heal what ails you — and many people are singing their praises.

But come on now, mushroom coffee? That can’t possibly taste good … can it?

“Interestingly enough, mushroom coffee tastes pretty similar to regular coffee,” says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “It is, after all, coffee with mushroom extracts blended in.”

So, is this type of coffee worth the hype — and all the extra expense? We talked to Czerwony to find out.

What is mushroom coffee?

Thankfully, you don’t just toss a couple of mushrooms into your coffee and call it a day (because that would be, well, gross). Mushroom coffee comes in a wide range of preparations, but the most common looks like your regular, run-of-the-mill coffee grounds. The mushrooms go through a drying and extraction process in order to pull the beneficial compounds out, which then get blended into regular coffee.

It tastes like coffee because it is coffee!

You can also buy mushroom coffee grounds, pre-made mushroom coffee lattes, instant mushroom coffee packets and mushroom coffee pods. The most popular mushrooms found in these blends typically include:

• Reishi.
• Chaga.
• Lion’s mane.
• Cordyceps.

Is mushroom coffee good for you?

There are a lot of claims surrounding the benefits of mushroom coffee. Some of the most popular claims about mushroom coffee are that it:

• Helps you sleep better.
• Reduces stress.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Strengthens your immune system.
• Supports your memory.
• Increases your energy levels.
• Relaxes sore muscles.

But is there any truth to these statements?

“Mushrooms in general have some really great benefits,” notes Czerwony. “A big one tends to be reducing inflammation. Mushrooms also contain antioxidants, which can help support the immune system.”

Mushroom coffee also has less caffeine, which (depending on who you ask) usually helps people feel less anxious and sleep better.

But take the long list of benefits specific to mushroom coffee with a grain of salt. There isn’t a ton of research out there suggesting that all of the claims actually hold true. The hype around mushroom coffee is built on an untested assumption: That all the benefits of mushrooms continue to exist when they’re processed and brewed alongside your morning coffee. But we simply don’t know that to be the case.

Side effects of mushroom coffee

It’s important to note that mushrooms can sometimes cause digestive issues, especially for those who have kidney issues or trouble with grains. In fact, chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates and are known to affect and increase kidney stones. If you have digestive problems, it’s best to speak with a healthcare provider or meet with a dietitian before heading down the fungi path.

Should you try mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee costs about double what you’d pay for the average coffee, so deciding whether or not to try it is as much a financial decision as it is a nutritional one.

Given the lack of research on mushroom coffee, Czerwony isn’t inclined to recommend it. You’d probably be better off incorporating whole mushrooms into your diet, rather than sipping special (and pricey) coffee. But if you don’t mind the cost and want to try starting your day with mushroom coffee, Czerwony suggests trying one type of mushroom powder at a time and tracking any symptoms you might experience.

“There’s really nothing wrong with mushroom coffee as long as you’re not adding in a ton of sugar or creamer,” she adds. “But you’ll also experience the same benefits — and more, including the fiber — if you just eat mushrooms normally in your diet.”

Not mush-room for improvement

Mushrooms are great for you and should definitely find their way to your stomach one way or another. But if your goal is improving your health, your best bet is eating whole mushrooms, not drinking processed ones in your extra-expensive coffee. Nutrition-wise, there simply isn’t mush-room for improvement on the original. There’s also no meaningful research supporting the health claims mushroom coffee purveyors make about the stuff. That said, as long as you don’t have digestive or kidney issues, it’s probably safe to try.