What is Ganoderma coffee? It is a powdered drink mix that contains instant coffee and powdered extract of Ganoderma lucidum – a medicinal mushroom.
Ganoderma coffee is a healthy drink made with red mushroom extract and roasted coffee beans. Its crucial ingredient – Ganoderma lucidum – was also known as the “mushroom of immortality” in ancient China.
Many centuries ago, wealthy people believed that this mushroom was the key to being an immortal human being.
If it’s your first time knowing about this mushroom coffee, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Ganoderma coffee is relatively unknown, as well as unstudied.
There are only a few scientific studies about Ganoderma lucidum, and the results are somehow mixed and contradictory – a hint that more research is needed.
Keep reading to learn more about Ganoderma coffee’s health benefit claims by its proponents.
Health Benefits Of Ganoderma Coffee
Most of the health benefits of Ganoderma coffee come from the nutrients and bioactive compounds of the mushroom known as Ganoderma Lucidum.
Ganoderma lucidum belongs to a subset of functional mushrooms called adaptogens. These fungi support the body’s ability to maintain homeostatic balance by resisting the damaging effects caused by stress.
Adaptogens help the body regulate its response system, allowing it to manage different stimuli properly.
Although many different mushroom species exist, only a few are considered superfoods known as functional mushrooms. These available mushrooms have health benefits that extend beyond simple nutrition, such as:
Boosts the immune system
Functional mushrooms are high in beta-glucans polysaccharides – complex sugar that supports immunomodulation. It increases the body’s immune response when challenged by pathogens. It helps downregulate an overactive response if necessary.
Prebiotic fiber for gut health
A healthy gut needs a proper ratio of benefits to pathogenic bacteria. The prebiotic fiber found in these functional mushrooms helps maintain this balance by feeding the good bacteria and promoting species diversity.
Stress relief
Ganoderma lucidum is a functional mushroom that can help your body recover from stress and provide a stable mood through adaptogenic capacity.
Cardiovascular support
The antioxidants and polysaccharides found in Ganoderma lucidum may help promote healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A good night’s sleep
As mentioned earlier, Ganoderma lucidum can relieve stress and calm one’s anxiousness, which can help a person have a peaceful sleep without causing a sedative effect.
Healthy skin
Ganoderma lucidum has antioxidants and other compounds that help reduce inflammation and fight free radicals, supporting healthy, young-looking skin.
Ganoderma Coffee Dosage Suggestion
To access these many health benefits, you can take a small but regular or daily dose of Ganoderma lucidum by drinking Ganoderma coffee. You can switch to Ganoderma coffee as your morning coffee to make it easier for you to make it a part of your daily routine.
Possible Side Effects Of Ganoderma Coffee
Not a lot is known about the safety of Ganoderma coffee. It can cause a few side effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Abdominal Pain
- Skin Irritation
You can consult your doctor before having a cup of Ganoderma coffee, especially if you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications or medications, particularly for blood pressure or cancer.
Take note that too much caffeine can cause:
- Speeding up of heart rate
- Lack of sleep
- Upset stomach
- Anxiety
A few studies also show that there’s a possibility to get hepatitis from consuming products with Ganoderma lucidum. You might also be interested in our guide on how much caffeine is in Turkish coffee.
How Much Caffeine Is In Ganoderma Coffee?
Ganoderma coffee contains around 50% less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee. This is because the mushroom powder is free from caffeine. Learn more about caffeine in our explainer on how much caffeine is in coffee.
Pregnant or lactating women, children, and people with underlying heart issues have a high risk of suffering from the adverse side effects of caffeine consumption.
Drinking up to 400 mg of caffeine daily has no adverse effects, but this may not be the case for people sensitive to caffeine. It may cause anxiety, rapid heart rate, abdominal pain, and other side effects even with lower intakes of caffeine.
How To Make Ganoderma Coffee
To make Ganoderma coffee, the fruiting bodies of the Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms are extracted and turned into a powder that’s free from fillers, carriers, and other types of additives.
Through a two-way extraction process, these mushrooms are then dehydrated, ground into a fine powder, and mixed into ground coffee beans, often in a 1:1 ratio.
You can also purchase Ganoderma coffee as:
- Instant coffee packs
- Ground coffee blends
- Coffee pods
Ganoderma coffee can be made similarly with drinks such as mochas, lattes, or your regular black coffee.
