Mushrooms have long been used as an aid in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, but now mushrooms have entered a whole new realm: coffee. Mushroom coffee is a beverage similar to regular coffee that contains dried mushroom powder and extracts instead of beans – its fans claim that its consumption offers numerous purported health benefits including reduced stress, strengthened immunity, improved energy and better sleep quality – however is this beverage actually as beneficial as claimed?

Mushroom coffee is typically created by mixing dried reishi, turkey tail and lion’s mane mushrooms with ground coffee and filtering the drink through a filter, producing a powder that can be stirred into hot water or added to smoothies. While mushroom coffee may provide nutritional value similar to eating raw or slightly cooked mushrooms directly, dried mushrooms often lose some of their beneficial compounds during processing, thus diminishing some of its effectiveness and nutritional value.

People suffering from digestive problems should exercise extreme caution when considering mushroom coffee as it contains high concentrations of oxalates which could potentially lead to kidney stones if regularly consumed, as well as carbohydrates which could contribute to bloating in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Due to being made of half coffee and half mushrooms, mushroom coffee contains approximately half the amount of caffeine as traditional coffee – making it an appealing option for people trying to reduce their caffeine consumption. However, any caffeine consumption, even small amounts, can interfere with sleep – so if incorporating mushroom coffee into your daily regimen be sure to do it earlier in the day so as not to affect your ability to sleep well.

There has been much hype surrounding this popular beverage, yet evidence supporting its purported health benefits remains lacking. Adaptogens contained within this beverage may help the body better handle stress and illness; the purported advantages include increased energy, lower cortisol levels, better digestion and stronger immunity.

Mushroom coffee comes in tonics, gummies, and elixir forms; however, it is best to consult a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before adding this or any new supplement to your diet. In particular if you are already taking medications such as blood thinners or heart medications that could interact with medicinal mushrooms used in mushroom coffee products. Likewise, those allergic or intolerant of mushrooms should avoid them due to possible allergic reactions, including hives, dizziness and stomach pain.