Does mushroom coffee actually work?
In short: there is little good evidence that mushroom coffee improves focus, immunity, memory or mood. Most of the research on the mushrooms used comes from lab and animal studies, not people. It's fine to drink if you like it, but don't count on the health claims.
What mushroom coffee is
Mushroom coffee is regular coffee, often instant, blended with dried, powdered mushrooms or mushroom extract. These aren't the mushrooms you cook with. They are so-called "functional" mushrooms, such as:
- Lion's mane, marketed for focus and memory
- Chaga, marketed for immunity
- Reishi, marketed for stress and sleep
- Cordyceps, marketed for energy
What the evidence says
- Mushroom coffee itself: there is not much research on mushroom coffee. We couldn't find good studies in people testing the finished drinks.
- Lion's mane: a few small studies in people, including one in older adults with mild memory problems, have shown possible benefits. Most of the evidence for brain and cholesterol benefits comes from animal and lab studies, and it hasn't been confirmed in people.
- Chaga and reishi: both contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the lab. That doesn't show they help people when drunk in coffee.
- How much is in a cup: a serving of mushroom coffee usually contains a small amount of mushroom powder. It's unclear whether that's enough to have any effect.
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned mushroom product sellers that claims such as lowering cholesterol, fighting inflammation or preventing disease turn their products into unapproved drugs.
Why some people feel better on it
Some mushroom coffees contain slightly less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, though this isn't true of every product. If you feel calmer or less jittery, the lower caffeine may be the reason. Check the label for how much caffeine is in each serving.
Things to watch out for
- Labels can be unreliable. Mushroom products are sold as foods or supplements, which aren't tested like medicines. Studies of reishi products have found that what's inside doesn't always match the label.
- Chaga and your kidneys. Chaga is very high in oxalate. There are reports of serious kidney damage in people who took large amounts of chaga for a long time.
- Possible interactions. Lab and animal studies suggest chaga may affect blood clotting and blood sugar. This could matter if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicines.
- It's still coffee. The caffeine can affect sleep, heart rate and anxiety, just like regular coffee.
When to check with a doctor first
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying mushroom coffee or mushroom supplements if you:
- take any regular medicines, especially blood thinners or diabetes medicines
- have kidney problems or have had kidney stones
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have a long-term health condition or are having cancer treatment
Stop drinking it and get medical advice if you notice any new symptoms after starting it.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Press: Can fungi flavor better health? What to know about mushroom coffee
- Cleveland Clinic: Mushroom coffee: what it is and benefits
- Cleveland Clinic: Lion's mane mushroom benefits
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Warning letter to a mushroom supplement maker (2021)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Chaga mushroom
- National Library of Medicine (PMC): End stage renal disease after long-term ingestion of chaga mushroom: case report and review
- National Library of Medicine (PMC): Assessing the species composition in commercial reishi products