If your social media feeds are filled with people savoring something that looks, tastes and smells similar to coffee (but contains mushrooms), you aren’t alone. Mushroom coffee has become increasingly popular with health-minded influencers and wellness-driven consumers; its growing popularity may have to do with medicinal mushrooms’ purported ability to reduce stress, boost immune health and provide natural energy boost.

Medicinal mushrooms are widely recognized as adaptogens, helping the body become more resistant to internal and external sources of stress. Furthermore, these medicinal mushrooms contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids thought to aid cognitive functions, fight inflammation, protect the heart and protect brain function. When making this beverage from dried and extracted mushrooms used as adaptogens – typically using coffee beans – an extraction process isolates their beneficial compounds before being blended together with coffee for an indistinguishable taste experience that provides all-day energy without an abrupt caffeine crash!

Although this beverage might tempt you, experts advise against trying it if you suffer from digestive or kidney issues. Furthermore, always consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian prior to making any major dietary changes.

Companies selling mushroom coffee claim their product helps users sleep better and feel less stressed, which could be true if mushrooms were consumed whole form; however, this claim has yet to be supported by rigorous clinical trials and more research is necessary before reaching a definitive decision about whether mushroom coffee suits you or not.

Though these products contain minimal caffeine, consuming too much can still be dehydrating; and given mushrooms’ high concentration of oxalates can contribute to kidney stones formation for some individuals.

Mushrooms contain many beneficial nutrients, including B2 and B3 vitamins that promote a healthy nervous system and can treat anemia, selenium that protects against oxidative stress and supports cell health, and indoles that act like melatonin-like molecules to lower stress and induce relaxation.

Ultimately, to experience maximum benefits from adaptogenic foods it’s best to opt for whole mushrooms or adaptogenic food supplements containing antioxidants, fiber, and amino acids as these provide your body with all of the building blocks it needs for optimal performance.

Assuming more research has yet to be conducted on mushroom coffee, until more is known about it, it would probably be wise to stay clear. There’s no denying the fact that mushrooms are tasty treats and should definitely find their way into your diet somehow. But for those seeking ways to cut back on caffeine while simultaneously improving mood, there are numerous alternatives ranging from whole mushrooms to matcha lattes that might work better for them.