Some of the mushrooms included in mushroom coffee have ties to traditional medicine and have long been used to treat and prevent various health conditions over the years. Unfortunately, most major mushroom brands’ purported health benefits have only been tested on rats or mice, and not human studies. As a result, mushroom coffee lacks FDA approval and could pose serious risks if you have serious medical conditions.

Most coffee-mushroom blends available for sale resemble regular coffee grounds and undergo a drying and extraction process that extracts beneficial compounds before being mixed with brewed coffee for enjoyment. The drink usually tastes just like traditional coffee and can be enjoyed with milk or sweeteners to tailor its flavor according to preference. Proponents of such drinks note many benefits including less stress, increased energy and focus, better sleep, and strengthening immunity systems.

Mushrooms contain antioxidants that have been linked to decreasing oxidative stress on the body, which is believed to play an integral part in cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Antioxidants help combat this form of stress by neutralizing free radicals and supporting liver detoxification processes.

Mushroom coffee contains adaptogens thought to help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall wellbeing. Proponents claim the mushrooms may also increase sleep quality and strengthen immunity systems.

Some brands combine different species in various ratios, making it hard to know whether these beverages offer more benefits than alternatives such as chaga or cordyceps. Furthermore, human studies of medicinal mushrooms typically focus on single species at a time; thus making it hard to gauge how incorporating several diverse mushrooms will impact health in an unknown fashion.

Keep in mind that mushroom coffees on the market can be very pricey; often costing more than double of what a standard bag of coffee would. If budget or health concerns arise, whole mushrooms and other alternatives with proven health benefits might be preferable.

While the purported health benefits of mushroom coffee may seem appealing, more rigorous human trials need to take place before most mushroom coffee brands can claim them as fact. As a rule of thumb, for now it would be prudent to limit yourself to only drinking one cup per day and be aware of taking medications or supplements that could interact with medicinal mushrooms in this beverage. If you decide to give mushroom coffee a try be aware that brewing can take some time and may not be as convenient than your morning cup of joe!