As a registered dietitian, I’m naturally curious about foods that not only nourish our bodies in the moment but may also optimize health for years to come. Known as functional foods, dietary stars such as berries, fatty fish, nuts and fermented dairy have been linked to long-term benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved blood sugar control, a reduced risk of certain cancers and more. Now, mushrooms are attracting buzz thanks to a new class of enhanced coffee drinks that hint at potentially promising wellness perks. I was curious about these claims, so I taste-tested Ryze's mushroom coffee for a week, and I'm ready to give my honest review.
To be clear, mushrooms—in their near-infinite variety—have been used for therapeutic and medicinal purposes across cultures and time, from ancient China to 16th-century Mesoamerica. More recently, though, commercial coffee drinks infused with assorted mushroom extracts have become best sellers based on claims they can sharpen focus, support gut health, optimize the immune system, brighten mood, soothe stress and sustain energy—all without the jitteriness many people experience with straight coffee or high-octane energy drinks.
Should you believe the hype? Come along as I dive into the research behind mushroom coffee and put one of the most popular brands, Ryze, to the test.
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What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Courtesy Katie Drakeford
True to its name, mushroom coffee combines mushroom-derived ingredients with regular coffee. In addition to Ryze, popular brands include Everyday Dose, Clevr, Shroomi and Atlas+. And sure, while coffee on its own contains beneficial plant compounds, "mushroom coffee typically has less caffeine and more antioxidants, beta-glucans and adaptogens,” says Bess Berger, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in women’s health and founder of Nutrition By Bess. “Think of it as coffee with a wellness upgrade, less 'wired and tired' and more 'focused and chill,'" she tells Parade.Related: 9 Foods That Have More Antioxidants Than Blueberries
Ryze, the mushroom coffee drink I tried out, contains a proprietary mushroom blend called Super6, made from organic cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane, shiitake, turkey tail and king trumpet mushrooms. Ryze combines its Super6 formula with instant arabica coffee for a powdered drink mix you can prepare hot or cold.
The jury's still out on whether drinking any particular brand of mushroom coffee can impart meaningful health benefits, with little research on medicinal mushrooms in the form of large clinical trials. With that in mind, here's a quick rundown of the shroom species you'll find in Ryze's Super6 blend:
Cordyceps: Animal studies suggest cordyceps may reduce fatigue via changes in energy metabolism.Reishi: Supplementation may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety—again, according to animal research.Lion’s mane: This mushroom variety may improve memory and focus, a possibility that isn't yet proven.Shiitake: may bolster the body's immune system response, according to animal research studies.Turkey tail: a 2017 review found that this mushroom variety contains prebiotics that nourish good bacteria in the gut, which could support better GI health.King trumpet: contains antioxidants that show promise for reducing oxidative stress and supporting healthy aging.More studies would be needed to nail down details on human efficacy and dosing. “The coffee blends on store shelves often contain small amounts of these mushrooms, making real effects mild,” Berger says. “So while the science is promising, it’s not magic."
Speaking of "magic," I should also point out that the mushroom varieties in Ryze are not hallucinogenic. Rest assured, this coffee drink is a nutritional product, not a party drug.
A few other nutrition notes: Per serving, mushroom coffee is often lower in caffeine than traditional coffee. Ryze’s Bright & Smooth blend contains 48 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per serving, roughly half of what you'd get in a typical cup of coffee. “If straight coffee gives you the jitters, messes with your gut or tanks your afternoon energy, mushroom coffee might be your new morning go-to,” Berger explains.
Whatever coffee brand you choose, be sure to look for labels that specify caffeine content. Ryze's Rich & Robust blend—a darker roast—contains 90 mg of caffeine per cup, which is similar to what you'd find in a regular dark brew.
Ryze's powdered drink mix is fortified with a prebiotic blend that delivers 2 grams of fiber per serving. Each 1-tablespoon scoop of mix contains 15 calories and is dairy-free, gluten-free and free of added sugars.
Before you try mushroom coffee, and definitely if you experience any unexpected changes while drinking it, you should check with your doctor to make sure it's suitable for you.
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What People Are Saying About Ryze Mushroom Coffee
Ryze mushroom coffee is sold in both individual bags and kits.Katie Drakeford
To date, Ryze has more than 17,000 Amazon reviews, with an average rating of 4.1 stars. Many fans say they enjoy the smooth taste and report that the drink delivers calm, sustained energy. Some reviewers also say the product has been helpful in supporting their GI system or immune health. Not everyone loves the taste, however, and some customers say the relatively high price point isn't worth it to them.
Ryze does cost more than the regular coffee you'd brew at home. The standard price of each bag is $36 and gets you 30 servings—about the same number of cups you'd get from a pound of standard coffee beans that would cost half as much. Ryze frequently offers promotions, so you may want to keep an eye out for special deals.
Related: Here's Exactly What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Decaf Coffee Every Day, According to Dietitians
I drank Ryze mushroom coffee each morning for a week to see how it stacked up against my favorite dark roast. Preparing a cup from the instant powdered mix was quick and easy, as it didn't require any brewing. Simply use the included scoop to add one serving to a cup, pour in 6-8 ounces of hot or cold water and stir well. I took notes on both how the coffee tasted and how it made me feel.
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Ryze Mushroom Coffee Test: Flavor
I generally drink hot coffee, so for an apples-to-apples comparison, I decided to test Ryze as a hot beverage too. I started with the higher-caffeine Rich & Robust blend, which seemed similar to my usual daily brew.
Day 1: First impressions
Katie Drakeford
I opened the bag to an agreeably mild, earthy aroma and added one scoop of the powder to 8 ounces of hot water. The powder dissolved easily—or so I thought. When I got down to the last few sips, I did notice some sediment had settled at the bottom of the cup. Still, the flavor notes were super smooth and coffee-like, without the bitter aftertaste of my go-to morning coffee. I was pleasantly surprised.
The next day, I made another cup of the dark roast. This time, I added some Ryze Pumpkin Spice Superfood Creamer, a limited-edition offering that added a sweet, gently spiced flavor that was quite enjoyable. Though I made sure to stir more vigorously this time, my cup still ended up with a bit of undissolved product on the bottom. On day 3, I tried using a frother to better incorporate the powder—without much improvement.
Days 4–6: Testing the medium roast
Katie Drakeford
On day four, it was time to try the Bright & Smooth medium roast blend. I made myself a cup and once again added pumpkin spice creamer. The combo was quite tasty; I actually didn't notice much of a difference between Ryze's dark- and medium-roast varieties. I found the Bright & Smooth version dissolved better than its counterpart, though, so I stuck with this variety for days five and six, too.
Day 7: Comparing creamers
On day seven, I opted to add Ryze's Creamy Vanilla creamer to my cup. This creamer (which, like the coffee mix, is vegan, gluten-free and free of added sugars) was a little disappointing and didn’t add much vanilla flavor. But that's not really a dealbreaker for me: I think this coffee drink would be perfectly tasty with a splash of half and half, which is how I normally take my coffee.
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Though my personal experience doesn't equate to a scientific study, I do think Ryze helped me feel more focused at work and supported me in staying on task for longer periods before I needed a little brain break. Despite differences in caffeine content—again, with the Bright & Smooth roast containing about half the caffeine of the Rich & Robust blend—I felt a sense of steady energy and focus with both blends. I'll also say that Ryze mushroom coffee seemed helpful in the digestion and regularity department.
One slightly unwelcome change I noticed during my week of testing was that I felt a bit thirstier than usual. As it turns out, dry mouth is a common reaction to reishi mushrooms, a key ingredient in the Ryze blend. While it wasn’t severe, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re trying mushroom coffee for the first time.
Related: If You Love Coffee a Latte, Here Are 31 Types of Coffee—From Affogato to Vienna
Final Thoughts on Ryze Mushroom Coffee: My Honest Review
Overall, I really enjoyed my mushroom coffee journey! Ryze delivered a mild, earthy aroma and flavor that I quite liked. The medium and dark roast varieties tasted similar to me, and neither produced the bitter aftertaste I tend to get from regular coffee. I enjoyed Ryze mushroom coffee both on its own and with the limited-edition pumpkin spice creamer. The standard vanilla creamer, however, was a miss for me.
Though Ryze mushroom coffee gave me a sense of focused energy during the day, I'm not sure I'll keep it in my regular beverage rotation. Cost is a consideration, and the drink's potential wellness perks are far from proven. For now, I'll consider Ryze something I can sip from time to time, when I'm in the mood for something a little different.
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Sources:
Bess Berger, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in women’s health and founder of Nutrition By Bess.Cordyceps: A Review on Its Immune-Stimulatory and Other Biological Potentials, Frontiers in PharmacologyAntidepressant-like effects of a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia in rats, BMC Complementary and Alternative MedicineTherapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review, Trends in Food Science & TechnologyA Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota, International Journal of Molecular SciencesUnlocking the Power: New Insights into the Anti-Aging Properties of Mushrooms, Journal of FungiHence then, the article about i m a registered dietitian who swapped regular coffee for mushroom coffee for a week here s what happened was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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