Have you been keeping up with social media feeds recently? You may have come across posts featuring people sipping what looks like regular coffee but contains an unexpected ingredient: mushrooms. While including mushrooms into our daily diet is nothing new–adaptogens have long been used as medicine in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practices–this particular beverage has gained increasing popularity among those looking to build immunity, reduce stress or ease digestion.

Mushroom coffee combines ground coffee beans with extracts from medicinal mushrooms like chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps for an alternative caffeine experience with lower acidity levels and no extra caffeine content than traditional brew. Proponents claim that mushroom coffee offers a smoother caffeine experience while providing relief for digestive distress caused by IBS symptoms.

Mushroom coffee is often low in FODMAPs, making it more suitable for people following a low-FODMAP diet to manage IBS. This diet restricts foods high in FODMAPs that may trigger digestive distress such as wheat fiber and certain fruits such as apples as well as artificial sweeteners and honey; dairy products (high in lactose and FODMAPs) should also be restricted and eventually gradually reintroduced under medical advice.

mushroom coffee differs from other forms of coffee by not containing FODMAPs that have been shown to cause IBS symptoms, like fructans and polyols. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates found within our digestive tract’s gut barrier which, when digested improperly, may lead to symptoms such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain in those sensitive.

Volpe cautions that not all mushroom coffee blends are low in FODMAPs; certain brands add ingredients such as glucose (also referred to as dextrose) and golden syrup, which contain ingredients with high FODMAP counts and may exacerbate IBS symptoms in those predisposed.

Laird Superfood’s mushroom coffee uses organic shade-grown coffee beans with an assortment of functional mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps – and is vegan-, gluten-, nut- and sugar-free!

Four Sigma Food’s mushroom coffee provides another solution, with ingredients including lion’s mane and chaga that have low FODMAP counts and are known to support gut health, without using ghee, which can trigger IBS symptoms in some individuals.

Mushroom coffee has many potential health advantages, and to maximize these effects it is essential that you select a high-quality brand. Consult a registered dietitian about what type of mushroom coffee to try and how it might impact your digestive health before adding it into your daily routine. Keep a food and symptom journal to track its effects as well as experiment with various blends and add-ins until you find one that suits your lifestyle best.