Mushroom coffee, or mushroom brew, is an increasingly popular trend that blends ground coffee beans with extracts of medicinal mushrooms like Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s mane and Turkey tail. The idea behind mushroom coffee is that its medicinal mushrooms will provide health benefits like improving immunity or helping manage stress – although research indicates these claims. While promising, more human studies must be completed to confirm these claims and assess if mushroom coffee is safe for everyone; additionally these brews tend to cost double what regular coffee costs when purchasing 12 oz (340g).

As there is evidence that certain mushrooms used in mushroom coffee may be hard on the digestive system and increase kidney stone risk, daily consumption could raise it substantially. Furthermore, certain mushroom extracts contain high levels of oxalates which may contribute to mineral build-up in kidneys; due to these potential downsides it’s best to opt for traditional coffee with whole food forms of mushrooms, according to registered dietitian nutritionist Heather Czerwony.

Medicinal mushrooms have long been used for their therapeutic benefits, including managing stress, improving gut health and strengthening immunity. Unfortunately, however, it remains unknown whether these benefits extend to coffee blends that contain medicinal mushrooms; many health claims regarding mushroom coffee remain unverified because studies on medicinal mushrooms were performed either on test tubes or animals.

What Is Mushroom Coffee Caffeine Free? Mushroom coffee contains less caffeine than its coffee-making counterpart, according to Ryze, the company that makes mushroom coffee. Ryze boasts about half the amount found in their cup compared with Four Sigmatic which contains under one half-gram in their packets of mushroom coffee.

Even though most mushroom coffee products advertise themselves as being low in caffeine, it’s important to remember that all coffee contains some caffeine – this psychoactive compound may cause side effects like jitteriness and stomach irritation in susceptible individuals like pregnant and lactating women, children and those with heart conditions who are particularly sensitive.

Although mushroom coffee can provide numerous health advantages, it’s wise to speak to your healthcare provider before beginning consumption. Please avoid it if you suffer from allergies or have digestive or kidney conditions as these should be avoided before attempting mushroom coffee consumption. Avoid taking it if you are currently taking medication that affects either the liver or kidneys, however if curious, begin by slowly increasing your intake starting with one packet until your body can handle an increased nutrient load. Before making major dietary changes, consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist and/or your physician. They can advise you on the best ways to integrate functional mushrooms into your diet as well as provide recommendations regarding dosage and delivery systems that best meet your unique requirements.