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Who would have thought that mushroom coffee could actually taste good? Surprisingly, it’s not bad at all! But let’s shift our focus away from the taste and dive into the health claims surrounding Ryze Mushroom Coffee.
We’ll explore the research behind the touted benefits of the mushrooms it contains, and see what kind of health perks you might realistically gain from sipping on this unique brew.
What is Ryze Mushroom Coffee?
So, what exactly is Ryze Mushroom Coffee? It’s essentially a blend of instant coffee, powdered raw mushrooms, and spray-dried coconut oil as a creamer. If we break it down by weight, you’ll find more powdered coffee than mushroom in each 6-gram scoop. That scoop contains about 2 grams of the mushroom blend, roughly 1 gram of coconut creamer according to the nutritional label, and approximately 3 grams of instant coffee, giving you a kick of around 48 mg of caffeine.
But let’s not dwell on the coffee aspect too much. While regular coffee does have its own set of health benefits thanks to compounds like caffeine and chlorogenic acid, our main focus here is on the mushrooms. Ryze Mushroom Coffee boasts six different types of mushrooms: Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and King Trumpet. Our aim is to dig into the evidence supporting the health claims associated with Ryze.
Now, when it comes to evaluating these claims, we’re not just taking any evidence at face value. We’re specifically looking for evidence from human studies. Why? Well, while studies conducted on cells or animals might suggest potential benefits of mushrooms, it’s important to remember that findings from these studies don’t always directly apply to humans. Our biology is complex and differs from that of cells or animals. That’s why clinical trials involving humans are crucial. They’re the gold standard for determining the safety, effectiveness, and practicality of supplements, ensuring that what works in lab experiments can actually benefit human health.
Cordyceps
This type of fungus typically grows on caterpillars in the high mountains of China. But don’t worry, the cordyceps in commercial products aren’t harvested from these natural sources. That whole process of trying to gather infected caterpillars from mountain peaks sounds pretty inefficient, doesn’t it? Instead, commercial cordyceps products are made using artificially grown and fermented cordyceps mycelial cells.
Ryze claims that cordyceps can amp up your stamina, a belief that’s pretty widespread. However, when we look at the research, it paints a different picture.
In a small study with cyclists, participants who took 3 grams of cordyceps daily for 5 weeks didn’t show any improvement in endurance time trials or aerobic capacity. Similarly, another study involving healthy elderly adults found that taking 3 grams of cordyceps daily for 12 weeks didn’t boost exercise performance either. Even when cordyceps is included in various combination products, there’s no evidence showing benefits in terms of athletic performance, stamina, or body composition beyond what you’d expect from a placebo effect.
Lion’s Mane
This mushroom, also known as Hericium erinaceus, grows on the dead trunks of hardwood trees such as oak and beech. According to Ryze, Lion’s Mane is said to be excellent for boosting focus.
There’s some evidence, though not super strong, suggesting that older patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease might see better scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination, a test for cognitive function, by taking Lion’s Mane mushroom. Another study, this time with older Japanese patients aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment, found that taking 1 gram of Lion’s Mane mushroom powder three times daily for 16 weeks improved cognitive function. However, this improvement reversed within 4 weeks after stopping the treatment.
But here’s the thing: these studies mainly involve people who already have cognitive issues. What about those of us who are generally healthy? Research on college-aged young adults shows that taking 10 grams of Lion’s Mane mushroom daily for 4 weeks doesn’t really boost cognitive performance during periods of exercise-induced fatigue. On the other hand, a small clinical trial involving older individuals aged over 50, taking 3.2 grams of Lion’s Mane mushroom daily for 12 weeks, did show some improvement in cognitive function.
So, the evidence on Lion’s Mane for focus or cognitive function is a bit mixed. It seems that older folks over 50 and those with known cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s might benefit, while younger individuals may not see much improvement. Another thing to consider is the dosage – studies suggest benefits can be seen with doses ranging from 3 to 10 grams. However, Ryze Mushroom Coffee might not provide enough Lion’s Mane unless you’re downing multiple cups a day, which, let’s be honest, is not a great idea due to the caffeine content.
Reishi
This mushroom, also called Ganoderma lucidum, has been a staple in Asian traditional medicines for centuries, spanning over 2000 years. According to Ryze, Reishi is touted for its stress-relieving properties.
While using Reishi for stress is a longstanding tradition, there’s a lack of direct studies showcasing its stress-reducing effects in humans. It’s more of a theoretical belief without concrete human evidence to back it up.
Turkey Tail
This mushroom, also known as Coriolus Versicolor or Yun Zhi, is a pretty common fungus found on stumps and decaying wood. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed to boost the immune system and detoxify the body. Ryze claims that Turkey Tail is beneficial for gut health.
However, there’s a lack of research specifically on Turkey Tail and its impact on human gut health. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be any human research even remotely related to this topic.
In medical research, two refined components from the Turkey Tail mushroom – polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) – are commonly used instead of the whole mushroom. These components are utilized for certain medicinal purposes in Japan. It’s important to note that these are specific compounds extracted and refined from Turkey Tail mushrooms, and consuming the whole mushroom won’t necessarily have the same effects.
Shiitake
These mushrooms are a popular edible fungus, ranking as the second most commonly eaten mushroom worldwide. Ryze suggests that Shiitake is great for boosting immunity. This idea might be linked to a compound called Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), often derived from Shiitake mushrooms. Research suggests that AHCC could potentially support the immune system.
A small clinical study involving adult females with high-risk HPV found that taking AHCC (3 grams daily) increased the clearance of the virus. However, preliminary clinical research in adults with chronic hepatitis C indicates that taking AHCC doesn’t improve virus clearance.
It’s important to note that these studies utilize large doses of purified AHCC, not raw Shiitake mushroom powders. So, sipping on Ryze Mushroom Coffee won’t provide the same immune-boosting benefits.
King Trumpet
These mushrooms are commonly used in cooking and are known for their delicious flavor and meaty texture. While some research has uncovered interesting compounds in King Trumpet mushrooms, such as anti-inflammatory properties or beneficial sterols, they’re not usually used for medicinal purposes like the other mushrooms we’ve discussed.
As of now, there haven’t been any human trials investigating the health benefits of King Trumpet mushrooms. And certainly, there’s no evidence to support the idea that they’re effective for fighting oxidative stress.
Does Ryze Mushroom Coffee work?
Wondering if Ryze Mushroom Coffee lives up to the hype? Well, it’s unlikely to do much more than your regular cup of joe. While medicinal mushrooms have caught the eye of the medical community and are being studied in humans, many still lack substantial research. This knowledge gap adds to their mystique and almost magical reputation.
Unfortunately, there’s not solid human evidence to support the health benefits marketed by Ryze Mushroom Coffee. While the idea of mushroom coffee is intriguing, it’s important to realize that you’re mainly drinking it for the taste and texture. Realistically, the mushrooms in mushroom coffee aren’t likely to significantly boost your overall health.
But maybe deep down, you already had a feeling about that. Perhaps you hoped that the unproven but potentially beneficial effects from the powdered mushroom mix would somehow seep into your cells as you enjoyed your mushroom coffee, giving you a little extra pep and clarity. And maybe it was the mushrooms… or maybe it was just the coffee.
Top alternatives to Ryze Mushroom Coffee
If you’re looking to achieve effects similar to Ryze Mushroom Coffee, I would try:
- Caffeine anhydrous – 1 cap / day
- Green coffee (caps) – 1 to 2 caps / day
- Green tea (caps) – 2 to 4 caps / day
- Green tea (Hyleys) – 1 to 2 cups / day
- Green tea (teabags, decaf) – 1 to 4 cups / day
- Green tea (teabags) – 1 to 4 cups / day
- Mushroom coffee – 1 to 2 cups / day
Learn more about
- Is Coffee Good For Weight Loss?
- Green Tea For Weight Loss
- Green Coffee Bean For Weight Loss
- Supplement reviews
Citations
Benson KF, Stamets P, Davis R, Nally R, Taylor A, Slater S, Jensen GS. The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Dec 2;19(1):342. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2681-7. PMID: 31791317; PMCID: PMC6889544.
Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 May;16(5):585-90. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0226. PMID: 20804368; PMCID: PMC3110835.
Grozier CD, Alves VA, Killen LG, Simpson JD, O’Neal EK, Waldman HS. Four Weeks of Hericium erinaceus Supplementation Does Not Impact Markers of Metabolic Flexibility or Cognition. Int J Exerc Sci. 2022;15(2):1366-1380. Published 2022 Oct 1.
Kreipke PhD VC, Moffatt PhD RJ, Tanner Ma CJ, Ormsbee PhD MJ. Effects of Concurrent Training and a Multi-Ingredient Performance Supplement Containing Rhodiola rosea and Cordyceps sinensis on Body Composition, Performance, and Health in Active Men. J Diet Suppl. 2021;18(6):597-613. doi:10.1080/19390211.2020.1822486
Kushairi N, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V, Vidyadaran S, Naidu M, David P. Comparative Neuroprotective, Anti-Inflammatory and Neurite Outgrowth Activities of Extracts of King Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii (Agaricomycetes). Int J Med Mushrooms. 2020;22(12):1171-1181. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2020036938
Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:155. Published 2020 Jun 3. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155
Li X, Liu Q, Li W, et al. A breakthrough in the artificial cultivation of Chinese cordyceps on a large-scale and its impact on science, the economy, and industry. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2019;39(2):181-191. doi:10.1080/07388551.2018.1531820
Lorenzo Calvo J, Fei X, Domínguez R, Pareja-Galeano H. Caffeine and Cognitive Functions in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):868. Published 2021 Mar 6. doi:10.3390/nu13030868
Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634
Parcell AC, Smith JM, Schulthies SS, Myrer JW, Fellingham G. Cordyceps Sinensis (CordyMax Cs-4) supplementation does not improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004;14(2):236-242. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.14.2.236
Roman BE, Beli E, Duriancik DM, Gardner EM. Short-term supplementation with active hexose correlated compound improves the antibody response to influenza B vaccine. Nutr Res. 2013;33(1):12-17. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2012.11.001
Saitou K, Ochiai R, Kozuma K, et al. Effect of Chlorogenic Acids on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1337. Published 2018 Sep 20. doi:10.3390/nu10101337
Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K. Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomed Res. 2019;40(4):125-131. doi:10.2220/biomedres.40.125
Shin MS, Park HJ, Maeda T, Nishioka H, Fujii H, Kang I. The Effects of AHCC®, a Standardized Extract of Cultured Lentinura edodes Mycelia, on Natural Killer and T Cells in Health and Disease: Reviews on Human and Animal Studies. J Immunol Res. 2019 Dec 20;2019:3758576. doi: 10.1155/2019/3758576. PMID: 31930148; PMCID: PMC6942843.
Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al. AHCC® Supplementation to Support Immune Function to Clear Persistent Human Papillomavirus Infections. Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. Published 2022 Jun 22. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902
Tsuk S, Lev YH, Rotstein A, Zeev A, Carasso R, Steiner G. Effects of a Commercial Supplement of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum on Physiological Responses to Maximal Exercise in Healthy Young Participants. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2018;20(4):359-367. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018025989
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Attributions
Depending on growing conditions, lingzhi may resemble antlers, with no umbrella cap. By Hokkaido Reishi Co., Ltd – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28018133
Grown lingzhi mushroom By frankenstoen from Portland, Oregon – reishi mushrooms, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7304170
Hedgehog beard (Hericium erinaceus) By Lebrac – eigene arbeit von Lebrac, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3528646
King trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii). By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21884669
Nepal geernteter Chinesischer Raupenpilz – Cordyceps sinensis – Yartsa Gunbu By Nicolas Merky – Nicolas Merky, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11503151
Shiitake mushroom growing on wood. By frankenstoen from Portland, Oregon – Shiitake Mushrooms, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7304024
Trametes versicolor By Jerzy Opioła – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25175312
See also
- Doctor Reviews: Mounja BurnMounja Burn appears to be a repackaged, ineffective tonic for varicose veins, now marketed as a worthless weight loss supplement.
- Doctor Reviews: MitolynMitolyn’s claims about mitochondria and weight loss are misleading—there’s no evidence this supplement works at all.
- Doctor Reviews: BiomaBioma and other generic probiotics may support general gut health but lack specific, research-backed benefits for weight loss.
- Doctor Reviews: LipozemLipozem and similar keto BHB supplements have shown little to no effectiveness in supporting keto, weight loss, or athletic performance.
- Doctor Reviews: Youthful BrainYouthful Brain is unlikely to improve cognitive performance in healthy individuals, as research shows limited benefits for their ingredients.