Mushroom Coffee: What It Is and BenefitsLocations:||||||SearchAdvertisementAdvertisementMarch 7, 2023/Diet, Food & Fitness/NutritionMushroom Coffee: Is It Healthier Than Your Average Cup of Joe?Mushroom coffee is expensive and has fewer health benefits than eating whole mushroomsIs your social media timeline filled with people sipping on a warm, coffee-like drink … that’s made with mushrooms? You’re not the only one.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyThe idea of adding mushrooms to your diet as a wellness incentive isn’t exactly new. Adaptogens of all sorts have been part of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. But mushrooms have been having a moment — an extended one — in the Western world. It’s easier than ever to find mushroom powder, extract, tonics and gummies to heal what ails you — and many people are singing their praises.But come on now, mushroom coffee? That can’t possibly taste good … can it?“Interestingly enough, mushroom coffee tastes pretty similar to regular coffee,†says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “It is, after all, coffee with mushroom extracts blended in.â€So, is this type of coffee worth the hype — and all the extra expense? We talked to Czerwony to find out.What is mushroom coffee?Thankfully, you don’t just toss a couple of mushrooms into your coffee and call it a day (because that would be, well, gross). Mushroom coffee comes in a wide range of preparations, but the most common looks like your regular, run-of-the-mill coffee grounds. The mushrooms go through a drying and extraction process in order to pull the beneficial compounds out, which then get blended into regular coffee.AdvertisementIt tastes like coffee because it is coffee!You can also buy mushroom coffee grounds, pre-made mushroom coffee lattes, instant mushroom coffee packets and mushroom coffee pods. The most popular mushrooms found in these blends typically include:Reishi.Chaga.Lion’s mane.Cordyceps.Is mushroom coffee good for you?There are a lot of claims surrounding the benefits of mushroom coffee. Some of the most popular claims about mushroom coffee are that it:Helps you sleep better.Reduces stress.Reduces inflammation.Strengthens your immune system.Supports your memory.Increases your energy levels.Relaxes sore muscles.But is there any truth to these statements?“Mushrooms in general have some really great benefits,†notes Czerwony. “A big one tends to be reducing inflammation. Mushrooms also contain antioxidants, which can help support the immune system.â€Mushroom coffee also has less caffeine, which (depending on who you ask) usually helps people feel less anxious and sleep better.But take the long list of benefits specific to mushroom coffee with a grain of salt. There isn’t a ton of research out there suggesting that all of the claims actually hold true. The hype around mushroom coffee is built on an untested assumption: That all the benefits of mushrooms continue to exist when they’re processed and brewed alongside your morning coffee. But we simply don’t know that to be the case.Side effects of mushroom coffeeIt’s important to note that mushrooms can sometimes cause digestive issues, especially for those who have kidney issues or trouble with grains. In fact, chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates and are known to affect and increase kidney stones. If you have digestive problems, it’s best to speak with a healthcare provider or meet with a dietitian before heading down the fungi path.Should you try mushroom coffee?Mushroom coffee costs about double what you’d pay for the average coffee, so deciding whether or not to try it is as much a financial decision as it is a nutritional one.Given the lack of research on mushroom coffee, Czerwony isn’t inclined to recommend it. You’d probably be better off incorporating whole mushrooms into your diet, rather than sipping special (and pricey) coffee. But if you don’t mind the cost and want to try starting your day with mushroom coffee, Czerwony suggests trying one type of mushroom powder at a time and tracking any symptoms you might experience.“There’s really nothing wrong with mushroom coffee as long as you’re not adding in a ton of sugar or creamer,†she adds. “But you’ll also experience the same benefits — and more, including the fiber — if you just eat mushrooms normally in your diet.â€AdvertisementNot mush-room for improvementMushrooms are great for you and should definitely find their way to your stomach one way or another. But if your goal is improving your health, your best bet is eating whole mushrooms, not drinking processed ones in your extra-expensive coffee. Nutrition-wise, there simply isn’t mush-room for improvement on the original. There’s also no meaningful research supporting the health claims mushroom coffee purveyors make about the stuff. That said, as long as you don’t have digestive or kidney issues, it’s probably safe to try.AdvertisementLearn more about our .Health LibraryInflammationOverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen To Call the DoctorHealth LibraryInflammationOverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen To Call the DoctorAdvertisementRelated ArticlesFebruary 24, 2025/NutritionAlong with boosting your energy, a moderate amount of coffee can help lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and certain cancers January 29, 2025/NutritionThat cup of joe may help decrease inflammation and remove damaged cells in the vital organ May 21, 2024/NutritionCoffee is made up of mostly water, but it’s the caffeine you have to look out forDecember 15, 2023/NutritionThere’s no evidence to prove this supplement can help with weight loss, and it may come with risksNovember 17, 2023/NutritionMorning, noon or night — the best time for that cup of joe depends on youNovember 15, 2023/WellnessDepending on your sensitivity to caffeine, a late-night cup may be just fineNovember 13, 2023/NutritionIt’s fine for most, but it can worsen heartburn and ulcers if you’re prone to themMay 25, 2023/DigestiveCoffee is better (and safer) ingested than injectedTrending TopicsSleepIf you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may helpMental HealthIf you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment styleNutritionIf you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foodsHealth Categories to ExploreBrain & Nervous SystemChildren's HealthExercise & FitnessHeart HealthMen's HealthMental HealthNutritionOrthopaedicsPrimary CareSkin Care & BeautyWellnessWomen's HealthOther Popular CategoriesAging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight LossAdRendered: Tue Jul 08 2025 05:12:26 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)Cleveland ClinicSite Information & PoliciesResources9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2025 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved., Mushroom coffee is a trending coffee brew made from blends of regular coffee and extracts of medicinal mushrooms, including Chaga, Cordyceps, Reishi, Lion’s mane, and Turkey tail., The hype around mushroom coffee is built on an untested assumption: That all the benefits of mushrooms continue to exist when they’re processed and brewed alongside your morning coffee..