Photo by Elysabeth Malenfant on Unsplash
Mushroom coffee has been creating quite a stir on social media platforms worldwide, but as is often the case, you need to approach any online health trend with a healthy dose of skepticism. When it comes to mushroom coffee, some products don’t even contain the medicinal mushroom ingredients whose benefits they tout, while other benefits may be exaggerated.
However, this doesn’t mean that mushroom coffee isn’t good for you. Aside from adding a mild earthy flavor to your brew, mushrooms pack quite a punch with their range of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Of course, to get any of their benefits, you need to make sure that you’re getting a good blend. The simplest way to go about this would be to get your hands on a high-quality expert-recommended mushroom coffee blend.
While the risks and benefits of caffeine intake are well known, most people don’t have adequate reliable knowledge about mushroom coffee, so here’s what we know so far.
Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
1. Better Cognitive Health
Some medicinal mushrooms that are added to coffee blends such as lion’s mane, turkey tail, and reishi are known to exhibit cognitive-boosting effects. These benefits are linked to the high levels of bioactive compounds in them including β-glucans, polyphenols, sterols, terpenoids, and diterpenoids that offer some level of neuroprotection. Combined with the antioxidant effects of reduced inflammation, they are believed to boost cognitive performance and protect against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
2. Better Mental Health
In addition to promoting long-term brain health, mushrooms used in some mushroom coffee blends can also benefit mental health, potentially lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This benefit is mainly linked to the presence of adaptogens that help the body cope with both internal and external stimuli that can otherwise trigger stress and other biological processes. These benefits also lead to improvements in other health parameters such as blood pressure and blood sugar as stress directly impacts metabolic function and heart health.
3. Antioxidant Protection
The antioxidant activity of mushrooms has been widely studied, with various types of medicinal and edible mushrooms including species such as reishi, cordyceps, hemlock varnish shelf, turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake showing strong antioxidant activity. This is correlated to their concentration of phenolic compounds, ultimately protecting against oxidative stress and the associated risk of chronic degenerative health conditions. By reducing oxidative damage at the cellular level, these antioxidants may also support overall immune function and promote healthy aging.
4. Immune Function Support
Health foods and supplements are often marketed as ‘immune-boosting’ but this is rarely true. In the case of mushroom coffee, high quality products with a good blend can actually offer some benefits that support healthy immune function and increase protection against infections. This is because mushrooms such as cordyceps contain biologically active compounds called cordycepin, which have immune-modulating and antiviral properties. Similarly, agaricus mushrooms, including bottom and portabella mushrooms have a high content of beta-glucans that aid immune function.
5. Gastroprotective Effects
Mushrooms are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which has a significant prebiotic effect, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Beta-glucan polysaccharides in mushrooms have been found to exert a beneficial effect on gut microbiota, regulating the composition to favor good bacteria such as Metallobacterium and Lactobacillus, while inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms, including Helicobacter and Lachnospiraceae. Some mushrooms also have a protective effect on the gastric mucosal lining, protecting against ulcers.
6. Hepatoprotective Properties
Mushrooms like reishi have been widely studied for their hepatoprotective properties. Their extracts, rich in polysaccharides and triterpenoids, help shield the liver from damage caused by toxins and oxidative stress by reducing harmful enzymes and boosting antioxidant activity. Clinical trials also suggest that reishi extracts can lower markers of liver infection, such as HBV DNA levels, offering potential benefits for managing conditions like hepatitis B. Polysaccharides or triterpenoids present in mushrooms can also offer some protection against liver injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals.
Keep in mind that while mushrooms have the potential to significantly improve your health, the benefits you gain from mushroom coffee will depend largely on the product’s quality, the variety of mushrooms used, and the concentration of active compounds in each serving. When it comes to health foods, don’t look for the cheapest option – instead, prioritize trusted sellers and reputed brands to make sure you get your money’s worth.