Popular beverage choice - No one requires Mushroom Coffee, particularly not for their well-being.
Lately, there's been a lot of buzz about a special type of coffee that's been gaining popularity on Instagram Stories and Reels - Mushroom Coffee. This drink is said to have both caffeine and an extra energy boost, as well as being a miracle remedy for your health. But just what's behind the hype of Mushroom Coffee?
The concept of adding essential mushrooms to coffee isn't actually a new one. It's just received a makeover with the recent marketing push. But if you want to incorporate mushrooms into your coffee, you're not using your typical table mushrooms like the champignon. Instead, the extract of essential mushrooms is what you'll find in Mushroom Lattes or Mushroom Coffee. These essential mushrooms include the Shiny Polypore (Reishi), the Silver-Birch Polypore (Chaga), or the Elk Horn Mushroom, also known as Lion's Mane. These mushrooms don't have any psychoactive effects.
These essential mushrooms are called essential mushrooms because they're reported to be good for your health. In Germany, you can buy these mushrooms as dietary supplements in capsule or powder form. Or, of course, as a coffee blend. The products are allegedly designed to enhance performance and focus, support your immune system, kickstart your metabolism, and assist with weight loss.
No scientific evidence to support the supposed miracle medicine
In Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, these mushrooms have been used for centuries. While this has nothing to do with the mushrooms in coffee or as a supplement, the idea of mushrooms in coffee or as a supplement isn't backed by any scientific evidence.
In those traditional medicines, unique mixes and dosages are used. This doesn't apply to coffee or supplements.
Mushrooms contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They hold complex carbohydrates like beta-glucans, triterpenes, and polyphenols. These complex carbohydrates are said to have health benefits. The hype surrounding Mushroom Coffee is largely based on belief that the supposed health benefits will remain intact once the essential mushrooms are processed and brewed into coffee.
However, we're not certain whether these substances have an actual positive impact on our health. Although there are numerous studies regarding essential mushrooms, many of them do not meet scientific standards, according to the Consumer Center. Or they're studies conducted on cell cultures or lab animals. These studies don't provide conclusive evidence for humans and only give us pointers for further research.
So we're not sure whether they positively affect our health. The British consumer protection organization Which rates Essential Mushroom products as products that are unnecessary. Consumer advocates are disappointed by the lack of proof related to the effects of essential mushrooms.
Essential mushrooms could be contaminated with harmful substances
For some folks, Mushroom Coffee is an attractive alternative to regular coffee because it contains less caffeine and has a more palatable taste. People might indeed feel better, but it's not because of any scientifically proven health benefits. If anything, they're paying top dollar for an overpriced cup of coffee. The placebo effect could be at play here.
On the downside, enjoying medicinal mushrooms could have adverse effects. For instance, consuming medicinal mushrooms may cause digestive issues. And consumer advocates urge caution, as medicinal mushrooms can contain harmful substances. If these mushrooms are stored, dried, or handled incorrectly, they can become contaminated with other harmful mushrooms - and the toxins produced by molds.
To make matters worse, essential mushrooms aren't legal medicines in Germany. Therefore, dietary supplements aren't manufactured under strict guidelines or quality standards, as they would be for pharmaceutical drugs. It's difficult for consumers to understand exactly what's in the end product since these supplements aren't subject to rigorous tests.
So there's no solid reason to switch from plain old coffee to Mushroom Coffee.
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Despite the trend on Instagram, there's no scientific evidence to support the health benefits of Mushroom Coffee as a miracle cure for boosting immunity or energy. Interestingly, Germany offers dietary supplements containing these essential mushrooms, such as Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane, in capsule or powder form, claiming to enhance performance and focus and support the immune system.
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