No doubt you’ve come across it on Instagram or TikTok; mushroom coffee has recently made headlines for its rising popularity. So what exactly is it and does it work? Mushrooms have long been used as wellness tools in Asian countries, and this trendy drink typically involves drying mushrooms before extracting their beneficial components and mixing it with regular coffee – giving it a subtle earthier or nuttier flavor than its usual cup joe counterpart.

Mushroom coffee providers tout its many health benefits, such as stress regulation, improved sleep quality and immune support. Furthermore, this beverage contains less caffeine (around 50 mg per serving) – perhaps making it better suited to those who can’t tolerate caffeine well or are concerned about having too much in their diets.

However, much of the excitement surrounding mushroom coffee is founded on unproven assumptions: that all of its health-promoting benefits such as adaptogens, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and more will remain when processed and added to a cup of joe. Thus far, most evidence supporting such claims comes from animal or test tube studies which are limited in scope compared with studies that investigate specific effects such as those provided by mushroom coffee which often show contradictory results.

Still, this beverage has made quite an impression online and may provide real advantages to some individuals – particularly those struggling with caffeine withdrawal or having trouble sleeping. But for an extra energy boost and healthier start to your day, we suggest opting for a green smoothie instead – you’ll get more of the vitamins and minerals found naturally within foods (B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium potassium and fiber), rather than from isolated supplements or extracts.

If you’re curious about mushroom coffee, be aware that you can reap all its benefits by simply eating whole mushrooms – much cheaper and widely available at any grocery store. Just remember to consult your healthcare provider prior to adding any supplements or drinks containing medicinal mushrooms (which have yet to be extensively studied in humans) into your daily regimen.