10 Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

Have you ever heard of mushroom coffee but been unsure whether you should try it? Mushroom coffee is a unique blend of mushroom powder and ground coffee beans. This innovative drink typically includes various types of medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, reishi, and lion’s mane, each offering their own unique health benefits. If you’re curious about this intriguing beverage, here’s an overview of 10 health benefits that might convince you to give mushroom coffee a try. Plus, if you’re a coffee enthusiast, don’t forget to check out our other article on the health benefits of regular coffee. This way, you can make an informed decision about incorporating both types of coffee into your routine for a balanced and healthful lifestyle.

• Decreases stress: Mushroom coffee has adaptogens (plant-based compounds) that help regulate the body’s cortisol release when stressed. Regulation of cortisol can help protect against chronic metabolic disorders, inflammation, and other diseases. Adaptogens help keep balance in our body by modifying cortisol production, so that the body can function correctly. Their stimulating properties can help reduce the effects of stress on the body.

• Reduces inflammation: Both coffee beans and mushrooms are full of polyphenols. Polyphenols have antioxidant properties that can help decrease inflammation in the body. Due to the antioxidant properties that it has, it fights against free radical damage which also aids in lowering inflammation. 

• Improves immune response: Since mushroom coffee contains polyphenols and antioxidants such as flavanols and carotenoids, these all work to strengthen the immune system. It also contains beta-glucans, polysaccharides and triterpenes that can also help to increase resistance to illnesses and support the immune system. These compounds are very beneficial for those with stressful lives, those who are active or even athletes to keep their immune system in good shape. 

• Maintains gut health: As we’ve mentioned before, mushroom coffee contains prebiotics that can help produce healthy bacteria in the gut which is essential for digestion. The prebiotics also assist in improving overall gut health. Since mushrooms are also rich in bioactive polysaccharides themselves, these also act as prebiotics that directly boost digestive health. 

• Lower caffeine: Ground mushroom powder itself does not contain caffeine. The total caffeine level depends on the coffee combined with it. Some mushroom powder can be decaf, or blended with herbal coffee instead of regular coffee beans which makes it caffeine-free! This can be beneficial for people who are sensitive to caffeine or choose to not drink a lot of caffeine. Caffeine without the extra jitters! 

• Lower risk of disease: The antioxidants in mushroom coffee and it’s anti-inflammatory benefits  protect from free radical damage. In turn, this helps to prevent some degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cognitive decline, and heart disease. By preventing the onset of some diseases, this can benefit your long-term health as well. 

• Aids in liver function: Mushrooms, loaded with adaptogens that help prevent liver disease and improve liver function. The adaptogens encourage toxins and waste to be flushed from the body smoothly. They can also regulate liver enzymes and fight harmful immune responses that affect liver cells and healthy liver function. 

• Loaded with antioxidants: Research has shown that a cup of coffee is higher in antioxidants than other drinks and teas. At the same time, mushrooms contain a very high level of antioxidants as well. This is why mushroom coffee is enriched with antioxidants, it’s double packed in a single cup. What a win-win!

• Helps Cognitive Function: Mushroom coffee contains compounds that can help to promote neural health and support overall brain health. Studies show that Lion’s mane in specific can encourage the production of nerve growth factor. Sequentially, this can increase the length of nerve cell processes, which promotes concentration, focus, and memory. 

• Lowers oxidative stress: The antioxidants found in both mushrooms and coffee are beneficial to health because they provide defense against the free radicals that we’re exposed to everyday. Free radicals create oxidative stress for the human body, which can induce cellular damage as well. Low oxidative stress can help protect against serious health issues and diseases.