Mushroom coffee is, as the name suggests, coffee made with mushrooms. Usually, this is not the portobello or cremini mushrooms that you would put on your dinner plate; instead, it’s made with functional mushrooms such as cordyceps, chaga, turkey tail, lion’s mane and reishi. These mushrooms go through a drying and extraction process to pull out their beneficial compounds. Then, they are mixed with instant coffee and sold in single-serving packets.

GB Mushroom Coffee blends typically contain half as much caffeine as regular coffee and are advertised as an alternative for people who want to reduce their intake of the stimulant. However, some people are sensitive to even small amounts of caffeine and may experience side effects such as jitteriness or an upset stomach.

Some mushroom brews also have other ingredients, such as cacao, cinnamon or turmeric, to add flavor and potentially boost the health benefits. These ingredients are generally labelled on the product’s packaging. It’s important to check out these ingredient lists carefully because some of these additives are high in sugar or sodium and could lead to weight gain, digestive issues or other health concerns.

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As for the claimed health perks of mushroom coffee, more research is needed on human subjects to verify these claims. In general, though, mushroom extracts have been shown to support the immune system and improve gut health. Additionally, some mushroom coffee blends have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and help ease stress.