Even though mushroom coffee has gained in popularity, there’s little research that backs its purported health benefits. While certain studies do demonstrate anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects of mushrooms, similar benefits can be achieved simply by eating whole mushrooms or taking supplement forms of them.

Since coffee and mushrooms have quickly become a new dietary trend, many are wondering: Can breastfeeding mothers drink mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee is created by combining medicinal mushrooms with regular coffee beans in an extraction process to extract their beneficial compounds before mixing with coffee in powder form for use as either coffee or added to tea, providing numerous health benefits. Mushroom coffee tends to contain low caffeine levels as well as adaptogens like Lion’s Mane and Reishi for increased focus and energy boosting benefits, in addition to antioxidants for extra energy boosts and focus boosting properties.

Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to assist with many conditions, including blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular disease. Beta-glucans found in chaga and reishi mushrooms have been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels while adaptogens present in them may help decrease stress and promote relaxation.(3)

A cup of mushroom coffee contains approximately 300 milligrams of caffeine, slightly lower than that found in regular coffee. Although moderate levels are safe for most adults, during pregnancy and breastfeeding it’s wise to limit caffeine consumption as too much caffeine increases your risk for preeclampsia as well as miscarriage(4)

Before beginning mushroom coffee, it’s wise to consult your physician or registered dietician, particularly if you suffer from digestive or kidney conditions. The high dosage of mushrooms found in mushroom coffee could cause discomfort to some individuals; also some types of mushrooms (like shiitake and maitake) contain FODMAPs which can be hard for some individuals to digest and may lead to bloating, gas, or abdominal pain(5)

Although some individuals can tolerate the small amount of caffeine contained in mushroom coffee, breastfeeding mothers with FODMAP sensitivities may find it too stimulating. A registered dietician can provide alternatives that offer similar health benefits without too much caffeine consumption.

If you’re breastfeeding and trying to decrease caffeine consumption, mushroom tea or decaffeinated options could be an effective way of cutting back on caffeine consumption. As with any dietary change, however, before beginning it would be a good idea to consult your physician or registered dietician first so they can offer personalized advice as to how best integrate mushrooms and coffee into your daily life for optimal results.