As mushroom coffee continues to gain in popularity, more and more people are curious about its effect on gastrointestinal health. Made up of medicinal mushrooms and coffee beans, the beverage promises to reduce stress while increasing energy, anti-aging and detoxifying properties, among other claims. But its exact impact can differ depending on factors like your individual sensitivity to its ingredients as well as your caffeine tolerance level.

Mushroom coffee often contains adaptogens, or herbs and roots used to balance the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gland axis of the body, according to ModifyHealth. They’ve been reported as helping support immunity, reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue and even alleviate oxidative stress, according to this source. Adaptogens could possibly also help alleviate bloating by balancing hormones and decreasing inflammation; however there has not been extensive scientific research done specifically on their ability.

Note that certain ingredients of mushroom coffee, such as chaga and cordyceps, are classified as high FODMAP foods – meaning they contain carbohydrates which could potentially cause bloating for those sensitive to them. FODMAP foods may also lead to diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pain as per ModifyHealth.

Mushrooms in their natural form are an incredibly nutritious food with many positive health benefits; however, when included as coffee ingredients they have not been shown to help with bloating or other health conditions. Furthermore, drying, extracting and brewing mushrooms for coffee may degrade their nutritional content significantly. Czerwony advises eschewing mushroom coffee altogether in favour of including more mushrooms into meals in their original state such as smoothies, stir fries or other recipes as a nutritious source.

However, certain varieties of mushrooms contain oxalates which could increase your risk of kidney stones. It’s also worth keeping in mind that mushroom drinks may be expensive and aren’t necessarily more nutritious than plain coffee or adding mushrooms into regular meals.

Though mushroom coffee does offer some health advantages, its advocates make many unsubstantiated claims and its cost can often double that of traditional coffee beverages. If you are curious to give it a try, seek advice from healthcare providers or dietitians first as to if this beverage will suit you; then perhaps opting for other health-boosting drinks or whole mushrooms instead as these could provide just as many nutrients without spending double on mushroom-infused coffee cups.