Coffee alternative beverages are increasingly popular. They’re promoted on social media and stocked in grocery stores. So what’s in these products? And do they actually give you an energy boost similar to coffee?
MUD\WTR and The Mushroom Latte by Everyday Dose are two growing brands. Like many coffee alternative products, they contain a variety of mushroom ingredients, including chaga, reishi, cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane. MUD\WTR also contains cacao, or cocoa, while The Mushroom Latte contains coffee extract. The mushroom ingredients are promoted for enhancing immune function and other benefits, while the cacao and coffee extract are promoted for enhancing mood and energy without the jitters or crash associated with coffee.
But what does the evidence say? Any energy boost that these products offer likely comes from the coffee extract and cacao ingredients – both contain small amounts of caffeine. As for the mushrooms, many species have been used traditionally for a variety of conditions, but there isn’t any good scientific evidence supporting their use. Lion’s Mane is increasingly marketed for its ability to enhance cognitive function, but it’s not clear if it actually helps. And research shows that cordyceps doesn’t seem to help with athletic performance. Overall, evidence of benefit is limited, but so are safety concerns – in general, these mushrooms are likely well-tolerated in these small amounts.
If you get questions about these coffee alternative products, explain that it seems to come down to personal preference. Most of the marketing claims aren’t backed by supportive evidence, but there’s no reason to recommend against them if consumers enjoy them. Price may be an important consideration, though – 21 servings of The Mushroom Latte will set you back $80, and 30 servings of MUD\WTR cost $60.
Related topics:
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
