Do you start your day with a hot cup of coffee? If so, have you considered adding mushrooms to your morning mug? Mushroom coffee is rising in popularity as people discover its purported health and energy benefits. But is mushroom coffee too good to be true or does it live up to the hype?
In this lighthearted blog post, we’ll explore topics like:
- What mushroom coffee is
- Mushroom coffee benefits
- Mushroom coffee side effects
Now, get ready for an amusing yet informative read on the mushroom coffee craze sweeping caffeine fanatics!
What in the Fungi is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee, sometimes called fungal coffee or mycotal coffee, is regular coffee infused with extracts from mushrooms. Some of the varieties of mushrooms that are used to prepare this coffee are lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi. These mushrooms have been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for their immune-boosting and inflammation-fighting properties.
By using finely ground mushrooms as one of the mushroom coffee ingredients you will be able to create this extremely delicious and beneficial drink. So, you only have to add this mushroom powder or mushroom extracts with coffee beans. It should ideally contain at least 50% regular coffee beans and up to 50% mushroom extract.
By doing so, the user will be able to enjoy the lift of caffeine along with the health perks of medicinal fungus.
Some versions of this coffee are infused with additional herbs and spices like cloves, cinnamon, and turmeric for extra punch and flair. The result is a rich, earthy, mushroom-flavored coffee touted to provide sustained energy, increased focus, and all sorts of other benefits beyond your average cup of joe.
The Mushroom Coffee Benefits
Why has mushroom coffee attracted so much buzz and intrigue? Proponents point to the myriad of ways medicinal mushrooms can enhance health. So, now, let’s take a look at the various mushroom coffee benefits to form a better idea about it.
✅ Increased Energy & Endurance
The cordyceps and chaga in this coffee may boost energy production. It is also good for fighting fatigue and improving oxygen utilization for better endurance. This sustained energy surge can help you power through your morning and work out longer and harder.
✅ Immune System Support
Compounds like beta-glucans in medicinal mushrooms strengthen the immune response. By adding an extra layer of defense, it may help you fight illness during the cold season.
✅ Brain Boosting Benefits
Lion’s mane mushroom contains hericenones that may encourage nerve growth and regeneration. Pairing lion’s mane with caffeine’s stimulant effects can improve focus, mental clarity, and cognition.
✅ Antioxidant Protection
Chaga and other mushrooms deliver antioxidants that combat cell damage from free radicals connected to chronic disease and aging. The combo of coffee and mushrooms can help neutralize these threats.
Mushroom Coffee Side effects
While the mushroom coffee benefits seem grand, adding mushrooms to coffee isn’t universally praised. Here are some possible mushroom coffee side effects one should consider before adding it to their diet.
➡️ May Cause Digestive Issues
Too many mushrooms or sensitivity to compounds like chitin can irritate digestion for some, leading to gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Start slow when trying it.
➡️ Higher Cost
Another major mushroom coffee side effect is the cost of mushrooms. Incorporating pricey medicinal mushroom extracts drives up the cost of a cup. So, be prepared to pay two to three times more for mushroom coffee vs plain coffee.
➡️ Can Spike Blood Pressure
Caffeine combined with cordyceps, known for increasing energy and stamina, may heighten blood pressure too much for those with hypertension.
➡️ May Interact with Medications
Compounds in some mushrooms can interact with prescription meds like antibiotics and blood thinners. This is one of the important mushroom coffee side effects one should be aware of. So, talk to your doctor before consuming to avoid complications.
➡️ Taste Can Be Overpowering
Not everyone loves the pungent, earthy flavor mushrooms impart. The unique aroma and bitterness may be off-putting for black coffee purists. Adding milk, sweetener or spices can help mellow the medicinal notes. So be aware of this mushroom coffee side effect before investing in a whole bad of mushroom powder or extract.
Is mushroom coffee good for you?
Mushroom coffee can be good for you as it contains adaptogenic mushrooms that are believed to boost immunity, and energy levels, and reduce stress. The combination of regular coffee with mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga may improve cognitive function and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
However, the evidence is limited and more research is needed on the effects of mushroom coffee. The caffeine may offset some benefits for those sensitive to it. Overall, it may be a healthier option for coffee drinkers but moderation is key.
Should You Take the Plunge Into Mushroom Coffee?
If the mushroom coffee benefits seem to outweigh the mushroom coffee side effects for you, then trying it could be worthwhile. This is especially true if you want health perks beyond standard coffee’s jolt.
Start slowly with a small amount to assess the effects. Also, try different combinations until you find one that suits your palate. This will help you understand what the best mushroom coffee cup for you is.
Blending your usual coffee with mushroom drink mixes allows you to control the dose and wean yourself onto mycotic slowly. Or seek out mushroom coffee capsules to get nutrients without overpowering flavor.
Pay attention to any reactions, negative or positive. Make notes so you remember which varieties you liked and any to avoid. And of course, chat with your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
The world of mushroom coffee holds tremendous promise in transforming your regular caffeine routine into a healthier, more beneficial experience. As the hype spreads and more varieties appear, few doubts linger that medicinal mushrooms will stake their claim alongside coffee’s heightening hold on consumers.
An Acquired Taste, But Worth Exploring
Mushroom coffee straddles two contrasting worlds – the comforting familiarity of coffee and the exotic mystique of functional fungi. So, finding the best mushroom coffee cup can be a whole journey. Bringing these elements together into an ingestible infusion seems rife with possibility, though some skepticism remains.
However, the usual mushroom coffee ingredients like the lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and other fungi do show real potential from preliminary research. The stimulant lift of caffeine coupled with immune and brain-boosting mushrooms makes for an intriguing combo.
The higher cost and uncertainty around medicinal mushrooms mean that they won’t replace traditional coffee for most folks. But for those intrigued by the prospect of more health advantages from their daily life, mushroom coffee warrants consideration.
Conclusion
Start with an open mind, assess your body’s reactions, and sample different blends until you find the perfect mushroom coffee ingredients that make the best mushroom coffee cup for you.
Quality mushroom coffee combines proven nutrition with the comfort of coffee – a powerful incentive to keep exploring this mushroom-charged brew!
Have you tried mushroom coffee yet? Does the combination strike you as weird or wonderful? Will you embrace the integration of fungus into your cup or does mushroom coffee not make the cut?
I hope this overview has piqued your interest enough to give this novel trend a try. Let me know in the comments your thoughts on blending mushrooms with your beloved brew!
References
- Johnson, D. M., Edwards, E., Rosales, A., Birdsall, T.C., Staren, E. D., & Braun, D. P. (2012, April). Maitake D-fraction, a natural mushroom extract, synergizes with Interleukin-2 for increased lyticactivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells against various human tumor cellhistologies [Abstract]. American Association for Cancer Research, 72(8),3515
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/72/8_Supplement/3515 - Bliss, R. M. (2006, August 8).Nutrient data on mushrooms updated
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2006/060818.htm
