What the FLIK is...Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee has been gaining popularity over the last year or so as an alternative to traditional coffee. In fact, mushroom coffee is a type of functional beverage, the functional beverage market itself has been growing exponentially! Functional beverages are similar to functional foods in that they claim to have some sort of health benefit. Mushroom coffee claims to help decrease stress and inflammation, support the immune system, improve memory and sleep, increase energy and relax sore muscles. But are these claims true?
Let's Start with Mushrooms
Did you know mushrooms are neither a plant or a vegetable? They are actually a fungi! Despite not being a plant or a vegetable they are very nutrient dense. Of course, there are many different varieties of mushrooms and all have slightly different nutrient profiles. In general, mushrooms are low in calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol. They also provide a good source of vitamin D, zinc, selenium, copper, thiamin, magnesium, and phosphorus. Mushrooms even contain some bioactive compounds which have been shown to help stimulate the immune system, improve longevity, and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. When it comes to mushrooms in coffee, a few different varieties are commonly used. Check out some of their proposed benefits below.
Mushrooms have been used in ancient medicine all over the world for 1,000's of years which is one of the reasons why they have so many proposed benefits. However, when it comes to the varieties of mushrooms used in mushroom coffee these benefits haven't yet been supported by research. On the other hand, mushroom intake in general has been studied and a focus has been on their antioxidant properties as they have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer, cognitive impairment, dementia, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Next, the Research on Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world! Since it is so popular, it has been well-researched. Turns out, coffee is a great source of antioxidants! Did you know? Coffee actually contains higher amounts of antioxidants in a standard serving compared to tea, although both are great sources of antioxidants. Overall, coffee has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and lower all-cause mortality these benefits are shown for consumption of anywhere from 1 to 4 cups per day. It is important to remember however, that any more than 4 cups might mean you are getting too much caffeine. In fact, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than 400 mg per day. Keep in mind that different types of coffee beverages have different caffeine amounts. Check out the infographic below to learn how much caffeine is in different beverages.
Let's Bring it Back to Mushroom Coffee
There isn't a lot of research yet on mushroom coffee together. However, as we previously learned both mushrooms and coffee separately have great benefits! If you do choose to try mushroom coffee, as always, read the label so you know what you are consuming. Look for an option with ground mushroom as that will contain more of the whole mushroom nutrients vs. a mushroom extract. Last but not least, talk to your doctor if you are taking a blood clotting, blood pressure, or blood sugar medication as some mushroom varieties may interact with these medications. If mushroom coffee isn't for you, you can always work on increasing your mushroom intake and consume coffee to get those benefits. Check out our blog post on mushrooms for some awesome recipes and our blog post on coffee to learn about coffee roasts, body, origins and more!
At FLIK Hospitality Group we believe in great food, great service, and great people. Our wellness first approach ensures our food supports healthy and delicious choices, specially curated by our team of culinary experts and registered dietitians. At FLIK, we believe in seasonality in sourcing our ingredients and providing a customized approach to the culinary and hospitality needs of each client. Our dedication to providing quality hospitality service is unparalleled in the industry.
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