Coffee and mushrooms might sound like a strange combination, but it's becoming an increasingly popular way to enjoy coffee. Mushrooms offer an array of health benefits that can make your morning cup of joe better for you. To make things even better, mushrooms don't impact the flavor of coffee, which means you can still enjoy the same great taste. Should you consider switching to mushroom-infused coffee? If you take the time to learn more about the perks of this coffee -- and what it is -- you can decide if it's right for you. As you read on, you'll learn more about what mushroom coffee is, why it tastes like coffee, and why you should be drinking it. Before you know it, you'll want to try this popular drink for yourself!
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
When people first hear about mushroom coffee, they often imagine a mug of coffee that's filled with mushrooms. Thankfully, the real deal is a lot more appealing. This healthy alternative to standard coffee typically combines mushroom extract with coffee, which makes the mushrooms virtually undetectable. Where did the idea of putting mushrooms in coffee come from? Surprisingly, there's a long history of using mushrooms as a coffee substitute. During World War II, when soldiers didn't have access to coffee beans, they used mushrooms instead. Mushrooms have also been used medicinally in many cultures. In fact, medicinal mushrooms are what you'll typically find in mushroom-infused coffee. These mushrooms are dried and extracted before being blended into the coffee. This process ensures that coffee drinkers can enjoy all the health benefits these mushrooms provide.
What Makes Coffee and Mushrooms Different from Regular Coffee?
At first glance, you might not notice much of a difference between mushroom coffee and the type of coffee you normally drink. Since the mushrooms are ground down into a fine powder before being mixed into coffee grounds, they're not something you can spot. However, there are a few key differences between coffee made with mushrooms and your typical brew. Since these beverages contain less coffee, they also contain less caffeine. While caffeine can help wake you up in the morning, it can also increase anxiety, upset the stomach, and cause other side effects. This combination can be a way to cut back on your caffeine intake without giving up coffee entirely. In addition, the medicinal mushrooms used in these coffee blends, such as the lion's mane, chaga, and cordyceps mushrooms, are known for their health benefits. Adding ground mushrooms to coffee allows your body to absorb the antioxidants, beta-glucan, and other nutrients that these mushrooms can provide.
How Do You Make Mushroom Coffee?
Coffee and mushrooms are typically combined in one of two ways. There are pre-made coffee blends that combine ground mushrooms with coffee. Many of these blends use instant coffee. Just add hot water, and your coffee is ready to drink.
The other option is to mix mushroom powder into the coffee you usually drink. This method allows you to enjoy your favorite brand of coffee while still benefiting from medicinal mushrooms. You can simply prepare your coffee like you normally do and then add in a spoonful of mushroom powder!
What Does Mushroom Coffee Do?
Putting medicinal mushrooms in coffee is essentially a way to give this beverage a boost. You'll still be able to enjoy the flavor and perks of java, but you'll also be able to take advantage of medicinal mushrooms. While these mushrooms offer benefits in any form, adding medicinal mushrooms to your diet isn't necessarily an easy process. Putting medicinal mushrooms into coffee makes them much more accessible. The mushrooms used in coffee blends are different from the mushrooms you'll find in the grocery store, and putting them into coffee makes it easier to consume large quantities of mushrooms.
The Health Benefits of Coffee and Mushrooms
Mushrooms have played an important role in Eastern medicine for centuries. In the modern world, there are all kinds of health benefits that have been linked to medicinal mushrooms. In fact, some types of mushrooms that are used in these brews, such as mushroom coffee with lion's mane and chaga, have been described as superfoods. While there's not much research on the ways mushroom coffee can improve health in benefits, the many advantages that have been linked to medicinal mushrooms deserve a closer look. If drinking coffee is already a regular part of your routine, why not try a brew that's better for you.
It's Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that are capable of fighting free radicals, which are compounds that can cause cell damage. Adding more antioxidants to your diet can improve your body's ability to prevent tissue damage and manage oxidative stress. In addition, antioxidants also have anti-aging properties. Consuming more antioxidants can improve skin and hair health and reduce your risk of developing deadly health conditions like cancer and heart disease. If your diet could use more antioxidants, why not try coffee and mushrooms?
It Contains More Nutrients
Medicinal mushrooms are packed with nutrients, including substances you won't find in many foods. Adding mushroom powder to coffee can increase your intake of potassium, iron, B-complex vitamins, rubidium, cesium, fiber, amino acids, and more. Some mushrooms, like lion's mane, are even a good source of protein. It can be difficult to get the nutrition your body needs from your everyday diet, which is why getting these nutrients from coffee can be so helpful. Once you switch to drinking coffee with mushrooms, you'll notice a difference in the way you feel after you polish off your morning coffee.
It Can Improve Cognitive Function
Do you often experience brain fog at the start of the day? A poor diet can contribute to cognitive dysfunction. In addition to giving you a cloudy brain, it can cause memory problems and make it difficult to focus. The medicinal mushrooms used in mushroom powder contain bioactive compounds and nutrients that help support optimal brain health. Vitamin B-12, which is found in most mushroom coffee, is crucial to healthy brain function.
It Can Ease Stress and Anxiety
For some java drinkers, the caffeine boost from coffee can be a double-edged sword. That caffeine can give you the energy boost you need to kick off your day, but it can also cause your stress levels to skyrocket. Since mushroom coffee contains less caffeine, it can help you to keep stress and anxiety under control. Medicinal mushrooms like lion's mane and chaga are also adaptogens. This means that they can help your body respond to biological stressors. Adding mushroom powder to your coffee won't make your anxiety disappear, but it can make it much easier to manage.
It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Many health conditions, including arthritis, are caused by chronic inflammation. If you suffer from one of these conditions, coffee and mushrooms could help your body to combat inflammation. There are a number of anti-inflammatory compounds found in medicinal mushrooms, including B-complex vitamins and carotenoids. In addition, these anti-inflammatory properties can reduce your risk for many physical and mental health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Although inflammation is a natural response that helps your body protect itself against threats, chronic inflammation can put your health at risk.
It Can Improve Digestion
Drinking coffee increases the production of stomach acid, which is why it causes some people to experience indigestion. Coffee can also cause acid reflux, especially when drinking light roasts. Mixing coffee and mushrooms can help your body produce more healthy bacteria, and thanks to that, it can actually help treat digestive issues. Medicinal mushrooms are also an excellent source of fiber, which is needed to absorb fluid within the stomach. Fiber can also treat many common digestive problems, including constipation. While adding mushrooms to coffee may not completely resolve these issues, it can make coffee easier on your stomach.
It Can Help You Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
While the body requires cholesterol for healthy cell development, high cholesterol levels can be a health risk. When cholesterol levels are high, you're more likely to develop fatty deposits within your blood vessels, which can lead to clogged arteries. Thankfully, medicinal mushrooms can make it easier for your body to manage cholesterol levels. Mushrooms have a compound in their cell walls known as ergosterol. This compound improves your body's ability to excrete cholesterol. If you add more mushrooms to your diet, you'll be better equipped to control the amount of dietary cholesterol your body absorbs.
It Can Strengthen the Immune System
Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that can have a powerful, positive influence on your body's immune response. Beta-glucans can help your body to protect itself against bacteria, viruses, and other compounds that could negatively impact your health. In addition, research shows that beta-glucans may be anticarcinogenic. This means that it can reduce your risk of developing cancer. Switching to mushroom coffee can help you to avoid illnesses and enjoy good health on a day-to-day basis.
Should You Switch to Mushroom Coffee?
It's clear that medicinal mushrooms can do a lot to improve your health, but does that mean you should give up your usual coffee and switch to coffee and mushrooms? If you're thinking about transitioning to a new type of coffee, there are a few things to keep in mind. Although mushroom coffee and mushroom powder are more expensive than regular coffee, changing the way you drink your coffee won't necessarily have a big impact on your budget. You can enjoy many of these advantages by mixing a teaspoon of mushroom powder into the coffee that you already drink. Beyond that, you should remember that there's more than one way to enjoy the perks of medicinal mushrooms. If you'd like to try this coffee without making a big financial commitment, you can pick up a few packets of instant coffee. Whether you're interested in the nutrients found in medicinal mushrooms or simply want to enjoy coffee with less caffeine, there's a good chance that you'll be happy drinking coffee and mushrooms. The Bottom Line People love coffee for many reasons, but it also has its drawbacks. Drinking coffee can help you to feel more alert, but it can also leave you feeling anxious or restless. Mushroom coffee is a way to enjoy the energizing properties of coffee while avoiding some of the downsides. Beyond that, medicinal mushrooms have unique properties that you won't get from drinking regular coffee. Although researchers still need to take a closer look at how mushroom coffee impacts the body, the nutrients found in these fungi are likely to have a positive impact on your health.
The other option is to mix mushroom powder into the coffee you usually drink. This method allows you to enjoy your favorite brand of coffee while still benefiting from medicinal mushrooms. You can simply prepare your coffee like you normally do and then add in a spoonful of mushroom powder!