Have you ever thought that mushrooms and coffee would go together? Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries, and they were blended with coffee in Scandinavian regions during World War II due to heavy rations.
Recently, mushrooms have made an appearance in mainstream society for a number of reasons. While coffee is already loaded with antioxidants, adding mushrooms like chaga, reishi, cordyceps and lion's mane gives you even more.
Chaga – Rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals, such as:
- selenium
- vitamin D
- calcium
- zinc
- potassium
- iron
- amino acids
Chaga mushrooms have been linked to preventing certain cancers and even slowing its growth.
READ MORE: Nine Potential Health Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms
Reishi – There are limited human studies on the effects of this fungus. Some claim it can boost the immune system and fight cancer.
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Reishi Mushrooms
Cordyceps – A fungus that grows on caterpillar larvae and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some studies show that it can help improve kidney function, boost the immune system and reduce blood sugar levels
READ MORE: Cordyceps
Lion's Mane – Contains bioactive substances that have beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart and gut.
- could protect against dementia
- could relieve mild symptoms of depression and anxiety
- reduces risk of heart disease
READ MORE: 9 Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom (Plus Side Effects)
Why Mushrooms + Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is able to provide balanced body stimulation without using as much caffeine as traditional coffee. This means you can enjoy the benefits of coffee without the negative side effects like "jitters" and disrupted sleep patterns. Mushroom coffee typically has no more than 75 milligrams of caffeine depending on the brand, while regular coffee typically has between 150 to 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving.
Coffee is acidic, which can cause upset stomach and heartburn. The earthy, mellow flavors of mushrooms can help counteract these characteristics, giving it a smoother flavor.
READ MORE: Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic has instant coffee and mushroom blends, including lion's mane and chaga and cordyceps. The Mushroom Focus Shots, which contain lion's mane mushrooms, have about as much caffeine as green tea and have a tropical flavor. There's also ground coffee and mushroom blends to brew traditionally.