What’s Up With Mushroom Coffee?

You Should Know: If you’ve listened to a health podcast lately, you’ve probably heard your favorite host singing the praises of mushroom coffee, the supposed jitter-free upgrade to your morning brew. Some brands of this coffee blended with powdered “medicinal” mushrooms like chaga, lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps even promise a faster metabolism or better immunity.

Going Deeper: While these mushrooms have deep roots in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, modern research is still catching up. A recent review in Molecules found that many of the varieties used in mushroom coffee may support immunity and metabolism and pack plenty of antioxidants. However, most other studies have focused on the mushrooms themselves, rather than the coffee versions that are now appearing on shelves. So while the science hints at benefits, there’s not much proof that sipping them in latte form does the same thing.

Takeaway: Don’t drink mushroom coffee purely for the potential nutritional or antioxidant properties. You’re better off just adding some sauteed mushrooms to your morning omelet or scrambled eggs.

Bottom Line: If you like the earthy flavor or want a smoother caffeine fix, mushroom coffee is fine to keep in your rotation, but it’s not a magic bullet.