Mushroom coffee combines instant coffee with concentrated extracts from various powdered fungi. This beverage is often marketed as a way to gain the benefits of medicinal mushrooms while mitigating some less desirable effects of caffeine, such as jitters. The inclusion of these fungal extracts has led to claims regarding cardiovascular support. This article examines the available information to determine if this popular drink can influence blood pressure.
Key Mushroom Varieties and Their Traditional Uses
The most common fungal species incorporated into these coffee blends are Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga. These species are classified as adaptogens, natural substances thought to help the body adapt to physical and psychological stress.
Reishi and Cordyceps
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has a long history in traditional Eastern medicine, often used to support calmness and circulatory function. Cordyceps mushrooms, such as Cordyceps militaris, were traditionally used to enhance stamina and energy, with some historical applications linking them to improved heart health.
Proposed Mechanisms for Cardiovascular Impact
The theoretical potential for mushroom coffee to affect blood pressure centers on bioactive compounds in the fungal extracts, primarily triterpenes and polysaccharides like beta-glucans.
Triterpenes and ACE Inhibition
Triterpenes, abundant in Reishi mushrooms, are thought to influence blood pressure similarly to certain pharmaceutical medications. These compounds are hypothesized to act as natural Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a mechanism that helps relax blood vessels.
Beta-Glucans and Stress Response
Mushrooms also contain compounds like cordycepin and lovastatin, which share structural similarities with adenosine, known to lower blood pressure. Beta-glucans are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can support healthier blood vessel function. Furthermore, the adaptogenic property of reducing the body’s stress response may help lower stress-induced blood pressure spikes.
Current Scientific Findings on Blood Pressure Regulation
Despite promising theoretical mechanisms, scientific evidence specifically linking mushroom coffee consumption to decreased human blood pressure remains limited. Most available research focuses on isolated mushroom extracts, not the combined coffee product, and has largely been conducted on animal models.
Drawing conclusions from animal findings and applying them directly to humans consuming a diluted extract is problematic. Controlled human studies investigating the effect of mushroom extracts on blood pressure are inconclusive.
One review of studies involving Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) found that evidence for significant cardiovascular benefits in controlled human trials was inconclusive. The few existing human trials suffer from small sample sizes, varying dosages, and different extraction methods, making it difficult to establish a standard therapeutic effect.
The final effect on blood pressure is further complicated by the caffeine in the coffee component. Caffeine can acutely elevate blood pressure, potentially counteracting any mild hypotensive effect from the mushroom compounds. Robust, large-scale clinical trials are still needed to confirm if mushroom coffee provides a reliable benefit for blood pressure regulation in humans.
Safety Profile and Interactions
For most healthy adults, mushroom coffee is generally safe when consumed in moderation. The most commonly reported side effects relate to the digestive system, such as gas, bloating, or mild gastrointestinal upset, due to the hard-to-digest carbohydrates in the extracts.
Medication Interactions
A more pressing concern involves potential interactions for individuals managing medical conditions. Certain mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga may possess mild anticoagulant properties. Consuming mushroom coffee while taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, could increase the risk of bleeding.
Individuals taking antihypertensive medications should also exercise caution. The combination of these drugs and mushroom compounds thought to lower blood pressure could lead to hypotension, resulting in symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. Anyone with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or who is currently taking prescription medication should consult a healthcare provider before incorporating mushroom coffee into their daily routine.