This functional mushroom coffee is one of the most commonly found in some of the best mushroom coffee products in the UK. The 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.

Rhodiola rosea can trigger your body’s ATP synthesis,” says Thomsen Ferreira. “This is the chemical energy produced in your mitochondria and it’s an essential energy source inside your cells.” Schisandra chinensis Thankfully, as of 2023, at 32 years old, I'm wiser and far more aware of my caffeine intake and how much is beneficial for you.

James Bellis | Founder, CEO & Coffee Writer.

However, it’s important to note that most studies on medicinal mushrooms are based on animals or done in a lab, with few well-designed clinical trials including humans. This means that we can’t simply apply the results of these studies to humans or human diseases. Plus, these studies aren’t specific to mushroom coffee — and it’s unclear whether there are combined positive or negative health effects of mixing mushrooms and coffee beans. But the question is, are you sold on the decision to try out this coffee, knowing all the benefits it brings to your entire physiology? This Asian fungus is celebrated for its ability to provide sustained, consistent energy whilst fighting anxiety and depression. But there is no denying that while coffee is delicious, it is the caffeine that can cause issues. A heavy slump when it has worn off, a faster heart rate, and a slightly jittery feeling if you drink too much can all be uncomfortable, but going without coffee is a no-no.

Adaptogens are a group of plants and herbs that can reduce stress. They do so by increasing your resistance and tolerance to tense situations. 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? Adaptogens help your body’s resilience against physical, emotional and environmental stress. And adaptogens, like ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea and Siberian ginseng, have been used for centuries. But how do you know if they’re right for you? In fact, adding adaptogens to coffee is a pretty genius move: 95 million cups of coffee per day are consumed here in the UK, so it is a popular beverage, and therefore one of the most accessible ways to make the most of these new immunity boosters. A potential cause for the higher price point is that medicinal mushrooms are grown in their natural habitats and are generally not commercially farmed. This means they may be hard to come by. SummaryIn addition to that wired feeling, caffeine also increases your cortisol levels (the stress hormone that releases during those fight-or-flight moments in life, or when you feel the weight of your bursting inbox on your shoulders). As Lexi Aiassa, founder and CEO of The Confidence Co, explains, “The human body naturally produces cortisol first thing in the morning—that is how it wakes itself up. Your cortisol levels are generally highest [during this time]. Drinking coffee [as soon as you wake up] increases your cortisol levels. If you notice you’re moody in the morning, your cortisol levels are likely experiencing a spike.” Before diving into the world of adaptogenic coffee, let us indulge in a bit of a refresher about what happens when we drink the regular brewed variety. Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, DACM, L.Ac, FABORM, acupuncturist, and herbalist, explains, “Coffee contains caffeine, which enters your bloodstream, and then it’s a stimulant in the nervous system to boost your energy. It binds to adenosine receptors in the brain, and adenosine is a nervous system depressant.” By binding to the brain’s adenosine receptors, it essentially hits pause on the depressive part of the nervous system that would make a person fall asleep. This, in turn, creates a sensation of alertness. However, too much caffeine can make a person too alert, which is when you start to feel wired. Caffeine is a psychoactive substance naturally found in some foods like coffee beans, cocoa beans, and tea leaves, but it is also added in a synthetic form to other foods and beverages ( 4, 5).

Also known as eleuthero, Siberian ginseng has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It’s also been studied in Russia in the ’60s and ’70s. Adaptogens in coffee are the newest trend in the world of coffee. For many of us, coffee is just as much a part of our day as the train on the commute, the trip to the sandwich shop for lunch, or the kids/dog/partner/neighbors trying to disturb you if you’re currently trying to WFH.People who are pregnant or lactating, children, and individuals with underlying heart issues have a higher risk of experiencing the negative side effects of caffeine consumption and should be cautious of their intake ( 5). I'd also begun to reduce the number of cups per day from 3 to just 1 or 2. Why? Because I didn't experience the crash that forced me to have that extra cup. If you’re pregnant, it’s best to avoid adaptogens, advises Thomsen Ferreira. She also recommends talking to your doctor before using any adaptogens.

Ashwagandha falls in the nightshade family,” says Thomsen Ferreira. “For some individuals, nightshades can trigger symptoms like joint pain and inflammation.” Dr. Gold continues, “Astragalus root is another good one to take in the morning because it helps to inhibit oxidative stress, and it’s an antioxidant that has been shown to help the dysregulation of telomeres.” Telomeres are the endcaps of our chromosomes. The same way we would apply a vitamin C serum to our face at the start of our day to prevent oxidation, astragalus root can help protect our telomeres from fraying due to oxidative stress. This prevents the deterioration of our cells throughout the day and throughout our lives. Although drinking up to 400 mg of caffeine daily isn’t associated with adverse effects, this may be different for people with sensitivity to caffeine. In this case, you may experience anxiety, rapid heart rate, upset stomach, and other side effects even with lower caffeine intakes ( 5).

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I wrote about the best mushroom tinctures recently which focused on the benefits of shrooms. It is a must-read if you are a health-conscious nutter like me and enjoy investing in your body and mind. Panax gingseng contains ginsenosides, a chemical that may affect insulin levels and help lower blood sugar. It enhances the body's ability to defeat foreign bodies, improving immunity and making you less susceptible to severe illnesses. Mushroom Coffee Benefits Research shows that panax ginseng may also reduce the severity of fatigue. It can also increase glutathione reductase and total glutathione. Cordyceps– Cordyceps mushrooms are known to help support energy and stamina, whilst also having antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. They can increase oxygen flow to muscles, aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue