Does Mushroom Coffee Have Caffeine? Unveiling the Truth
Mushroom coffee is turning into a favored health pick-me-up. It's whipped up by mixing regular joe with mushroom extracts. Lifeboost's Cognition Mushroom Coffee, for instance, blends this concept with low-acid beans, making it an interesting option for coffee lovers.
Plenty of people scratch their heads - does mushroom coffee have caffeine? Is it lower in caffeine compared to normal coffee to boot better for you? This article will uncover the truth about mushroom coffee's caffeine numbers, possible benefits, potential drawbacks and how it stacks up against old-school brew.
What is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is regular coffee blended together with dried medicinal mushroom powders. The mushrooms often used are chaga, Lion's Mane, cordyceps and reishi. These mushrooms have been utilized in Chinese medicine for ages to help relax people. They are called "adaptogens" for their stress-relieving talents.
The idea of mushroom coffee first started in Finland during World War 2. Coffee was hard to get so the Finnish people used mushroom powder instead of coffee beans to create a similar warming drink. Today, mushroom coffee has turned into a popular health trend. It aims to give you coffee's energizing kick plus mushrooms' relaxing superpowers.
When you make mushroom coffee, it resembles normal black coffee but has an earthy, nutty taste. You won't see odd mushroom chunks in your cup - just more aroma and flavor notes from the mushrooms!
The Caffeine Content in Mushroom Coffee
When creating mushroom coffee, dried medicinal mushroom powders get combined with regular coffee beans before brewing the final drink. Often the mix contains equal amounts of mushrooms and coffee.
Since the mushrooms themselves don't naturally contain any caffeine, their addition dilutes the total caffeine levels compared to regular black coffee made from 100% coffee beans. For example, Lifeboost's Decaf Cognition Mushroom Coffee provides a gentle balance for those who prefer a lower caffeine intake while still enjoying the health benefits of mushrooms.
Basically, the mushroom powder replaces half the coffee beans, acting like a decaffeinated filler that cuts the caffeine content by around 50%.
To showcase this, let's compare some numbers. A typical 8 ounce cup of black coffee brewed from pure Arabica coffee beans contains 95-200mg of caffeine. That's nearly the same as a strong cup of tea or two cans of soda!
On the other hand, an equal sized 8 ounce mug of mushroom coffee made from a split mix of 50% Arabica beans and 50% decaf mushroom powder only provides 50-100mg of caffeine.
While exact amounts vary between brands, mushroom coffee roughly contains half as much caffeine as its normal coffee counterpart. But it still carries WAY more caffeine than decaf coffee alternatives made from beans specially treated to remove over 97% of their natural caffeine. Those clock in around 2-12 mg per 8-ounce cup.
So mushroom coffee occupies a middle ground less stimulating than regular coffee but more so than decaf. Those highly sensitive to caffeine probably should still limit intake.
Specific companies like Four Sigmatic and Jajo Mushroom Coffee promote around 50 mg caffeine per serving of their blended mushroom coffee products. For perspective, that's similar to a 12 ounce can of soda or small dark chocolate bar.
So, people reacting badly to low doses of caffeine shouldn't assume mushroom coffee as completely safe. Its diluted caffeine plus mushrooms won't override personal sensitivities.
While not packing the same buzz-inducing punch as traditional coffee, mushroom coffee still carries enough caffeine to potentially cause unwanted reactions for individuals prone to caffeine's undesirable effects. Tread carefully and pay attention to your body's signals.
Health Claims and Benefits
There are many touted wellness advantages to drinking mushroom coffee instead of regular coffee:
Immune System Support
Components like polysaccharides and beta-glucans in medicinal mushrooms demonstrate immune-boosting potentials in lab tests. The antioxidants may support white blood cell production and activity. This can prepare your immune defenses against germs and infections.
However, human trials are limited. It's unclear whether these compounds remain as bioavailable and effective when blended into coffee mixtures versus eating mushrooms in their natural state.
Reduce Anxiety
The lower caffeine content of mushroom coffee makes it less likely to stimulate anxious jitters, insomnia and restlessness common side effects of highly caffeinated drinks. People very sensitive to caffeine may better tolerate mushroom coffee.
Adaptogenic Properties
Compounds like cordycepins and ergothioneines exhibit adaptogenic capabilities based on rat studies. Adaptogens balance hormones and quell the body's stress response. This calms the mind and improves focus minus the caffeine-induced anxiety.
But current research cannot confirm whether regular mushroom coffee intake reduces biological markers of stress in humans.
Anti-Inflammatory Actions
Based on their antioxidant values, mushrooms may minimize inflammatory compounds in animal and test tube experiments. But it's unconfirmed if similar anti-inflammatory benefits occur in humans from drinking mushroom coffee.
So, while early research displays promising health advantages to medicinal mushroom components, more evidence is required to verify these properties in humans specifically from mushroom fortified coffee.
Potential Downsides and Considerations
Before hopping onto the mushroom coffee bandwagon, some downsides need awareness:
Lack of Research
The absence of substantial clinical trials on humans makes mushroom coffee's health claims preliminary and questionable. There's no guarantee the mushroom extracts in coffee format provide the same advantages as whole, natural mushrooms in equivalence doses.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Some people experience bloating, diarrhea and upset stomach from medicinal mushrooms' fiber content. These digestive problems may persist in mushroom coffee products. Those with chronic gut conditions should exercise caution.
Increased Anxiety
Although lower in caffeine than regular coffee, people highly sensitive to stimulants may still feel mushroom coffee exacerbates anxiety, insomnia, rapid heartbeat and other unwelcome effects.
Higher Costs
Ounce for ounce, mushroom coffee products cost nearly twice as much as regular coffee because functional mushrooms are harder to cultivate. Their limited sustainable harvesting makes them pricier than standard Arabica beans.
How to Choose and Use Mushroom Coffee
If interested in trying mushroom coffee, keep this advice in mind:
Seek organic blends with verified mushroom sources: avoid mystery mushrooms with unclear origins! Reputable companies like Four Sigmatic validate their mushroom's species and quality.
Consider your caffeine sensitivity: If stimulants tend to make you jittery or anxious, consider confirming the exact caffeine content per cup by reaching out to manufacturers. This will help you understand if the mushroom extracts in the coffee still have mind-altering effects.
Monitor physical reactions: document any digestion changes like gas, bloating, cramping that may signal medicinal mushroom ingredients irritate your stomach lining and microbiome imbalance.
Compare costs: find cheaper mushroom coffee options by buying bulk bags of ground mushroom coffee rather than single-serve packets that raise per cup costs.
Use as PART of a balanced diet: don't depend on mushroom coffee alone to provide missing nutrients lacking from your meals. Get benefits from whole food sources like eating fiber-rich vegetables and fermented foods.
Conclusion
Mushroom coffee clearly contains less caffeine than traditional pure coffee but it still carries a moderate stimulant punch. Specific mushroom coffee brands average between 50 to 100mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup. This places mushroom coffee's caffeine content below regular coffee (95-200mg) but above decaf alternatives (2-12mg).
The incorporating of medicinal mushroom extracts adds potential health upsides too from immune-strengthening antioxidants to adaptogens that combat body stressors. Early research displays encouraging evidence that these compounds may promote wellness. However, more clinical trials are needed to fully verify health claims, especially for mushroom supplementation through coffee.
For open-minded coffee lovers, enriching your daily cup of coffee with functional mushrooms introduces health-enhancing potential as part of a balanced nutrition plan. The experiences of many initial mushroom coffee consumers seem promising. For example, Lifeboost’s French Vanilla Cognition Mushroom Coffee, with its smooth flavor and added cognitive benefits from mushrooms, offers a great alternative for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake while still enjoying a flavorful cup
Until more conclusive human research can determine the best usage and truly confirm whether the benefits of medicinal mushrooms carry over to coffee form, it's wise to consume in moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does mushroom coffee taste like regular coffee?
Yes, mushroom coffee tastes quite similar to regular coffee but with an added nutty and earthy flavor from the mushroom extracts. The mushrooms are dried and powdered so you won't get actual mushroom pieces or funky texture just extra flavor!
Who should avoid mushroom coffee?
People who struggle with gastrointestinal issues or are prone to kidney stones may want to avoid mushroom coffee because some mushrooms contain oxalates and fiber that can irritate digestion. Very caffeine-sensitive individuals should also beware one cup still provides 50-100mg of caffeine.
Can mushroom coffee really boost your immune system?
It's possible but uncertain. Compounds like beta-glucans in medicinal mushrooms demonstrate immune-enhancing effects in lab analyses. But further research is necessary to confirm whether these hold up when blended into coffee formats for human consumption.
How does the price of mushroom coffee compare to regular coffee?
Ounce for ounce, mushroom coffee costs nearly twice as much as regular coffee. Standard coffee beans are far more mass produced than specialty functional mushrooms which are harder to sustainably cultivate. So, expect to pay a premium price for the extra health boost!
Can pregnant women drink mushroom coffee?
No, medicinal mushrooms are not cleared as safe for pregnant women and young children since their effects have not been clinically evaluated in these populations. Mushroom coffee still contains caffeine that crosses the placenta so it's best avoided. Stick to decaf and maximize nutrition through real whole foods instead.
Does blending mushrooms into coffee preserve all their nutritional benefits?
Likely not. Breaking mushrooms down into fine powders probably strips away some of the beneficial elements. Experts recommend eating WHOLE mushrooms since nutritional synergy between naturally bound compounds bodes better for true biologic activity rather than isolated portions.
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.