Mutual Coffee Is An Alternative To Low-Coffine Drinks, Is It Healthy?

Kopi fungi (Cleveland Clinic)

JAKARTA - Fungal coffee is an alternative drink that combines functional fungi powder with coffee or is used as a substitute for pure coffee.

Popularity increases along with a healthy lifestyle trend and the need for low-fiberine drinks. The mushrooms used are usually dried and processed into powder, then mixed into coffee or brewed by yourself. Although the color resembles ordinary coffee, moldy coffee has different flavor characteristics and benefits.

"Jamur, such as cordyceps, reishi, chaga, and ion 's mane contains adaptogenic compounds that are claimed to help increase focus, energy and concentration," said Bryan Quoc Le, PhD, food scientist and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting, quoted from Well and Good.

Preliminary research shows ions's mane has the potential to protect the nervous system from damage. These findings provide hope for its use in supporting people with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's.

"Researchers have found many of these mushrooms need 2 to 5 grams of material to provide any effect, while most fungal coffee may contain between 100 to 500 milligrams," explains Dr. Le, stressing that doses are an important factor in its effectiveness.

In addition to ion's mane, other types of mushrooms also show health potential. For example, a 2020 laboratory study published in Science of the Total Environment found that shiitake mushrooms can help protect lung cells from damage.

In fact, Turkeytails or turkey tail mushrooms have been used as part of cancer therapy in Japan and are traditionally believed to help strengthen the respiratory system.

However, Trista Best dietist, MPH, RD from The Candida Diet, reminded that many fungal coffee products in the market may not have met the necessary therapeutic doses. Coffee developers continue to create ways to integrate healthy ingredients into their products, in an effort to attract the attention of health-aware consumers," he said.

In terms of oral health, fungal coffee may be more friendly to dental enamels because its properties tend not to be too acidic than ordinary coffee. The fungal coffee is usually softer on the enamel of teeth, "said Dr. Sandip Sachar, DDS, founder of Sachar Dental in New York. However, he also added, Like black coffee, fungal coffee can also leave stains on the teeth.

It is also important to consider body reactions to certain fungi. For individuals with kidney problems or digestive disorders, compounds in fungal extracts can be difficult to digest and cause side effects.

For those who want to get fungal benefits without the need to buy instant products, a more economical way is to eat fresh mushrooms.

We can get nutrients from mushrooms by adding them to salads, soups, or other dishes,' advises Dr. Le. Fresh mushrooms contain various important nutrients such as vitamin B, vitamin D, potassium, and selenium.