In recent years, an interesting product has emerged on the beverage market that calls itself a miracle in a cup. This is the so-called mushroom coffee, a drink that is supplemented with extracts of medicinal mushrooms. It not only appeals for its special taste, but also promises to improve concentration, boost the immune system, reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

On the other hand, expert articles point out that proven evidence of the medicinal effects of mushroom coffee is lacking in many respects. Most of the studies concern mushrooms alone or in capsules, not mixtures with coffee. What exactly is mushroom coffee, what are the main claimed benefits and what is the reality in terms of scientific evidence?

What is mushroom coffee and how did it come about

Mushroom coffee is usually made by adding extracts or powders from medicinal mushrooms such as lion’s mane, reishi, chaga or cordyceps to regular coffee beans or instant coffee. The mushrooms are dried, extracted and mixed with the coffee in varying proportions. The benefits of such coffee are thought to be lower caffeine content (because part of the mixture is decaffeinated mushroom powder) and support of a range of body functions through the bioactive compounds in the mushrooms.

It is also worth mentioning that the market for mushroom coffee is growing. It is estimated to reach $3.23 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $5.29 billion by 2034.
These figures signal that consumer interest in functional beverages geared towards health benefits is high.

What do the experts say about the benefits?

The following benefits are most commonly cited in relation to mushroom coffee:

  • Improved cognitive function and concentration
  • Strengthened immunity and anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms
  • Lower caffeine content

Experts, however, have rather controversial views on some of the alleged effects of mushroom coffee. Taking mushrooms can actually lead to improved human health, both physically and mentally. However, with mushroom coffee itself, the effects are usually rather weaker because it does not contain as many ingredients. On their own, mushrooms are really healthy, however, in coffee they do not have as strong an effect as many people think.

Mushroom coffee has a number of health benefits, but in some ways people often perceive a number of myths to be true. ━━ Mushroom coffee has a number of health benefits, but in some ways people often perceive a number of myths to be true. ( Source: Jen P. /  Unsplash+ )

The risks of mushroom coffee

Although marketing talks about a miracle in a cup, the reality is a little different. As the article The Truth About Mushroom Coffee points out, there are a number of misconceptions. Mushroom coffee is not decaffeinated and cannot replace medication for anxiety or chronic illnesses. Something to keep in mind:

  • The caffeine content is not automatically low
  • Extraction processes and concentrations of bioactive compounds vary greatly between products
  • Some people may experience indigestion or risk of kidney stones after consuming large quantities of mushrooms
  • The price of mushroom coffee is considerably higher than for a regular beverage