Health trends come and go; some fade fast, whilst others gain a lot of health and research interest.
One of the latest is mushroom coffee—a drink made by blending regular coffee with extracts from medicinal mushrooms.
It is widely believed to boost the immune system, reduce stress, and support the management of chronic diseases.
But how much of this is backed by science? Is mushroom coffee a real health booster, or just another passing trend?
Mushroom coffee is a functional beverage that combines traditional coffee beans with powdered
extracts of medicinal mushrooms, such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps.
The result is a dark, smooth and slightly nutty-tasting coffee rich in antioxidants and lower in caffeine content.
Due to these antioxidant properties, mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine to treat diseases associated with inflammation.
Production
Mushroom coffee has been hyped for boosting focus, energy, and immunity without the crash or craving of regular coffee—this wellness trend is catching on in Ghana.
The production of mushroom coffee involves drying and extracting bioactive compounds from either the fruiting bodies or the mycelium or both of medicinal mushrooms.
However, the fruiting body extracts are typically preferred due to their higher concentration of therapeutic compounds. The mushroom extracts are processed into a fine powder and combined with ground coffee or instant coffee powder.
Depending on the intended health benefits, a combination of medicinal mushrooms may be used.
Typically, mushroom coffee is enjoyed just like regular coffee: by adding hot water to it.
It can be enjoyed black, with milk, or blended into smoothies.
For convenience, many consumers opt for instant versions, while others prefer whole-bean blends for a more traditional brewing experience.
It is also available in ready-to-drink cans, single-serve sachets, and coffee pods, making it versatile for various lifestyles.
Most consumers incorporate mushroom coffee into their morning routines or use it as a midday energy boost, especially for its perceived health benefits.
Health benefits
The supposed health benefits of functional foods have sparked interest in the use of mushroom coffee.
Mushroom coffee is reported to contain some health-promoting compounds, such as beta-glucans, a complex polysaccharide that stimulates immune function, ergothioneine and polyphenols, which are antioxidants and triterpenes, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
However, it is important to know that most of the health claims about mushroom coffee come from studies on single mushrooms and not the mix of mushrooms and coffee like what is in mushroom coffee.
So, it is not certain if the same benefits apply. Currently, there are no large, quality human studies on mushroom coffee to ascertain their health benefits.
Based on the current evidence, mushroom coffee can be consumed as a regular beverage, but should not be viewed or consumed as a cure for chronic conditions or as a replacement for prescribed medications.
It is advisable to consult your healthcare provider before consumption, especially for individuals with chronic conditions, on prescription medications, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly and individuals under 18 years old.
The writer is with the Department of Dietetics,
School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences,
College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
E-mail: moabdulwahab3@gmail.com
