Mushroom Coffee and Cholesterol: Have Studies Found Benefits?
Depending on the ingredients, mushroom coffees can do pretty much anything. Well, not everything. They won’t write a check or do your laundry, but they can have benefits all over your body.
Functional mushrooms can help you feel less stressed, support joint health, give you laser focus, promote gut health, and more… But what about cholesterol and heart health? Given that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, you probably want to know how you can support the ol’ ticker. Buckle up, and let’s dive into the connections between mushroom coffee and heart health.
How Does Cholesterol Impact Heart Health?
Contrary to popular belief, cholesterol itself isn’t evil. Your body needs it to build cells, make hormones, and digest fats.
The trouble starts when there's too much LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) roaming freely through your arteries. It tends to deposit itself along artery walls, forming plaque that narrows your vessels and makes your heart work harder. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.
On the flip side, HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) helps sweep excess LDL out of your system. The key is balance. You want less of the bad stuff and more of the good stuff. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices all play a massive role.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee might sound a little strange, but there’s a reason it’s so popular nowadays. While some brands offer “coffee” made from ground-up mushrooms, our Mushroom Coffee+ combines regular coffee extract and adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane and chaga. These fungi are prized for their brain-encouraging, immune-supporting, and stress-busting benefits.
Our formula also contains 4g of grass-fed collagen per serving and L-theanine to help support both your gut and your sleep. Between that and the low caffeine content, you’ll get enough to tackle your to-do list without getting anxiety or coffee sweats.
Can Mushroom Coffee Support Healthy Cholesterol?
So, we know what mushroom coffee is, but how does it tie into heart health? Our Mushroom Coffee+ can support heart health thanks to its low caffeine content, stress-relieving properties, and antioxidants.
Caffeine Content
Traditional coffee can be a double-edged sword. Sure, it might provide energy, but it can also raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels thanks to its higher caffeine content (over 200 mg per 12-oz cup).
Our mushroom coffee, however, contains only 45 mg of caffeine per serving. This lower caffeine content can help you avoid the risk of caffeine-induced spikes in blood pressure. Additionally, L-theanine is an amino acid known for helping you feel relaxed (but not too sleepy) and can help counteract any caffeine side effects that could try and make their way in.
Stress Support
Chronic stress is a one-way ticket to elevated cholesterol levels and heart disease. That’s why our mushroom coffee contains adaptogens like lion's mane and L-theanine, which can help you chill out at the end of a long day.
By promoting feelings of relaxation and mental clarity, these ingredients can help the body manage stress effectively. Reducing stress can, in turn, support healthy cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
Antioxidant Properties
Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress, which can lead to elevated cholesterol levels and heart disease if you don’t watch them. Chaga mushroom, one of our star ingredients, boasts an impressive ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score of 146,700 μmol TE/100g.
This high antioxidant content helps our coffee support your body’s defenses against oxidative damage, encouraging healthy cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.
How Else Can You Support Healthy Cholesterol?
Aside from cutting back on fried foods (that’s the big one, folks), there’s a lot you can do to support healthy cholesterol levels without turning your life into a kale-only zone. First, eat more soluble fiber (think oats, beans, apples), which helps trap and flush LDL cholesterol from your system.
Then, try incorporating more healthy fats, like those in avocados, nuts, and olive oil. These fats can raise your HDL and lower your LDL. And of course, move your body, as regular exercise helps increase good cholesterol and reduce the bad stuff.
And don’t forget the underrated power of stress management. As we highlighted previously, chronic stress can actually mess with your lipid levels. Whatever you do, remember that it’s not about perfection. It’s about making consistent, heart-loving choices while still allowing room for the things you love.
How To Drink More Mushroom Coffee
Incorporating mushroom coffee into your daily routine is easy and, in our opinion, super delicious. To start, mix our mushroom coffee powder with hot or cold water, stir until dissolved, and that’s it! You can enjoy it plain (which is one of our favorite ways to drink our Dose), or you can spice things up a little bit.
Here are some creative ways to enjoy mushroom coffee:
- Mushroom Latte: Blend with steamed milk and a touch of honey for a budget-friendly and benefits-packed option.
- Mushroom Mocha: Add cocoa powder and a sweetener of choice for a chocolatey twist.
- Smoothie: Incorporate it into a peanut butter and banana smoothie for an added energy boost.
- Overnight Oats: Mix into your oats along with some almond milk and chia seeds for a nutritious breakfast.
- Iced Mushroom Coffee: Serve over ice with a splash of milk for a refreshing beverage.
The Bottom Line
Cholesterol might sound like something to worry about in a decade or two, but the reality is that it plays a huge role in your health, no matter where you’re at in life. There are plenty of ways you can support healthy cholesterol: You can exercise, de-stress, and eat a balanced diet. You can also drink a cup of coffee — mushroom coffee, that is.
Our Mushroom Coffee+ has a lower caffeine content than regular coffee and can also help you relax, as well as provide extra antioxidants. It’s like a good screwdriver — it shouldn’t be the only tool in your cholesterol toolbox, but it sure is helpful to have. For more health tips and tricks, visit the Everyday Dose blog today.
Sources:
Leading Causes of Death, United States | Women’s Health | CDC
HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides | American Heart Association
Caffeine chart | Center for Science in the Public Interest
Yes, Stress Can Hurt Your Heart: 3 Things to Know > News | Yale Medicine
