Mushroom coffee is the same classic drink, but with the addition of powdered mushrooms. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the medicinal mushrooms used contain a whole range of useful substances. In such a drink, caffeine is half as much as in standard coffee, and about the same as in a mug of green tea - about 50 mg. Although this figure is almost half that of the usual drink, chagachino is also able to increase energy, only with fewer side effects.
Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, and Mexicans knew about the healing properties of mushroom drinks. Mushroom coffee spread directly to Finland during World War II. The reason for this was the banal impossibility to find some of the most common and favorite products on the shelves. So, roasted barley and chaga mushroom became an alternative to coffee beans. By the way, the taste of the mushroom drink practically does not differ from the original: its fans claim that this coffee has a softer and earthy aroma, which makes the ritual of drinking it even more pleasant.
© eleonora galli
Useful properties of mushroom coffee
The real benefits of such coffee were learned much later - from medical research. It turned out that the maitake mushroom mixture regulates blood sugar levels as it is an adaptogen that helps the body fight any type of mental or physical difficulty. In addition, scientists have confirmed its anti-cancer and anti-parasitic properties. Chaga mushroom neutralizes the acid in coffee, which usually leads to indigestion. Most mushrooms have been found to be sources of the unique antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione. Mushrooms also contain vitamins and minerals such as selenium, potassium, calcium and copper, which support healthy bones and prevent joint complications. Finally, it has been noted that such coffee is popular among those looking to lose weight, as it does not contain cholesterol.
One of the main reasons the antioxidants found in coffee beans and mushrooms are so beneficial to health is because they provide protection against free radicals. These "pests" we encounter in our daily life, for example, air pollution causes oxidative stress in our body, which can damage cells. It is believed that oxidative stress is one of the factors that trigger the onset of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cataracts. Therefore, increasing the amount of antioxidants in your daily diet is an effective way to prevent possible health problems.
Maitake mushroom © facebook.com/pg/FourSigmatic
In addition, mushrooms are rich in biologically active polysaccharides. They act as prebiotics in the digestive system, helping to improve its function. Studies in animals have shown that under the influence of fungi in mice with diabetes, not only body weight decreased, but also glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also turned out that mushrooms have a positive biochemical effect on insulin receptors.
Precautions
In 2018, mushroom coffee has become one of the hottest trends in the American superfood market. Therefore, companies have already appeared in the world that are engaged in the production of ready-made instant mixtures for making mushroom coffee. One of them, the Finnish Four Sigmatic, claims that this coffee has many health benefits.
However, you should still treat the drink carefully: experts recommend drinking no more than two bags of coffee a day. Despite the fact that the mushroom version has less caffeine than the regular version, it is still possible to get a daily overdose, which can cause unpleasant consequences for the body. In addition, mushroom coffee should not be drunk by people with serious autoimmune diseases. Some doctors warn that medicinal mushrooms can only make the problem worse, as they stimulate the immune system and may interfere with treatment. The same applies to those with bleeding problems.>
