What to avoid when drinking mushroom coffee? Your Nutrition Diet Guide

October 3, 2025 •

5 min read

Medicinal mushrooms can interact with common medications, including anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, and hypoglycemic drugs. Knowing what to avoid when drinking mushroom coffee is essential for safety, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are on prescription medication. Understanding potential risks helps ensure that this functional beverage supports your health goals rather than hindering them.

Quick Summary

Before integrating mushroom coffee into your diet, it's vital to research potential interactions with medications for diabetes and blood clotting. Certain health conditions like kidney or liver issues and autoimmune disorders warrant caution. Always choose high-quality products and be mindful of your overall caffeine intake and diet.

Key Points

Consult a Doctor: Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting mushroom coffee, especially if you have chronic health conditions or are on medication.
Avoid Certain Medications: Do not combine mushroom coffee with blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or certain diabetes drugs without medical advice, as serious interactions can occur.
Check for Oxalates: If you have a history of kidney stones or kidney disease, avoid Chaga mushrooms due to their high oxalate content.
Limit Reishi Intake with Liver Concerns: Be cautious with Reishi mushrooms, particularly if you have liver issues or consume alcohol, as excessive intake has been linked to liver toxicity.
Address Digestive Sensitivity: Start with small doses and drink with food if you have a sensitive stomach or IBS to prevent gastrointestinal distress.
Scrutinize Quality and Additives: Choose certified organic, third-party tested brands to ensure product purity and avoid unwanted fillers or contaminants.

The Importance of Informed Mushroom Coffee Consumption

Mushroom coffee, a trendy beverage blending ground coffee with medicinal mushroom extracts like Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane, has gained popularity for its purported health benefits. While marketed as a 'healthier' alternative to traditional coffee, it is not without potential risks, especially concerning interactions with medication and pre-existing health conditions. The bioactive compounds in these mushrooms, known as adaptogens, can influence physiological functions, which necessitates caution. Navigating what to avoid when drinking mushroom coffee is the first step toward safe and effective consumption. Consulting a healthcare provider before making it a regular part of your diet is always recommended.

Potential Interactions with Medication

The adaptogenic and therapeutic properties of medicinal mushrooms can interact with prescription drugs, potentially causing adverse effects. It is crucial to understand these interactions before consuming mushroom coffee.

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants)

Several medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane, are known to have blood-thinning properties. If you take anticoagulants such as warfarin, aspirin, or heparin, combining them with mushroom coffee could increase your risk of bleeding. The cumulative effect can slow blood clotting, which can be dangerous, especially before a surgery. You should inform your doctor of your mushroom coffee consumption if you are on blood-thinning medication.

Diabetes Medication

Mushrooms like Reishi and Cordyceps have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. While this can be beneficial for some, it can be problematic for individuals with diabetes taking medication to manage their blood glucose. Combining these can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia. Close monitoring of your glucose levels and a discussion with your doctor are necessary if you are on diabetes medication and considering mushroom coffee.

Immunosuppressants

Some medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi and Chaga, can boost immune function. For individuals on immunosuppressant drugs to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, or for organ transplant recipients, this effect can be counterproductive. Boosting the immune system when it is intentionally being suppressed can lead to a worsening of symptoms or other complications.

Health Conditions to Monitor

Certain health conditions can be exacerbated by the compounds found in medicinal mushrooms. Individuals with these conditions should be particularly careful.

Kidney Issues

Chaga mushrooms contain high levels of oxalates. Excessive intake of oxalates can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. For those with a history of kidney disease or kidney stones, regularly consuming Chaga-based mushroom coffee is not recommended.

Liver Problems

There have been rare case reports of liver toxicity associated with excessive Reishi mushroom consumption. If you have a pre-existing liver condition, or if you regularly consume alcohol, adding Reishi mushroom coffee could place additional strain on your liver. Moderation is key, and medical consultation is advised.

Gastrointestinal Sensitivity

For some people, especially those with sensitive digestive systems or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mushroom coffee can cause discomfort. Bloating, nausea, and diarrhea have been reported, particularly when consumed on an empty stomach. Starting with small amounts and drinking with food can help mitigate these issues.

Low Blood Pressure

Reishi mushrooms may have a blood pressure-lowering effect. While this is beneficial for those with hypertension, it could be problematic for individuals who already have low blood pressure. Consuming Reishi-based mushroom coffee could lead to symptoms like lightheadedness or dizziness.

Lifestyle Factors to Manage

How you consume mushroom coffee and what you consume it with can also influence its effects.

Caffeine Content

Don't assume all mushroom coffee is low in caffeine. While many brands advertise a lower caffeine content compared to regular coffee, the levels can vary significantly. Individuals sensitive to caffeine should check product labels and monitor their intake to avoid jitters, anxiety, or sleep disruption. Consuming it too late in the day is also likely to disrupt sleep.

Product Quality

With a rapidly expanding market, the quality of mushroom coffee products can vary widely. To avoid potential contamination, choose products that are certified organic, non-GMO, and backed by third-party testing. Poor-quality blends may contain fillers, contaminants, or inaccurately dosed mushroom extracts. Look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for verification.

Comparison of Common Medicinal Mushrooms and Potential Risks

This table outlines the specific risks associated with some of the most common medicinal mushrooms found in coffee blends.


Mushroom Type	Common Medical Interactions	Specific Risk Factors
Reishi	Blood thinners, diabetes meds, immunosuppressants	Potential liver toxicity with excessive use, lowered blood pressure
Chaga	Blood thinners, immunosuppressants	High oxalates increasing kidney stone risk
Lion's Mane	Blood thinners, diabetes meds, immunosuppressants	Slowed blood clotting
Cordyceps	Blood thinners, diabetes meds	Affects platelet aggregation and blood sugar

Best Practices for Safe Mushroom Coffee Consumption

Following these guidelines can help you enjoy mushroom coffee safely.

Consult a Healthcare Provider: Always discuss with your doctor before starting, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are on medication.
Start with Small Amounts: Introduce the beverage gradually to assess your body's response.
Check Ingredients and Quality: Choose reputable brands with transparent sourcing and third-party testing.
Drink with Food: Taking mushroom coffee on an empty stomach can increase the chance of gastrointestinal upset.
Stay Hydrated: Caffeine is a diuretic, so pair your brew with plenty of water.
Avoid Late Consumption: To prevent sleep disruption, limit intake to the mornings or early afternoons.

Conclusion: Prioritize Informed Choices

Mushroom coffee can be a beneficial addition to your nutrition diet, but it is not a universally safe beverage. By understanding what to avoid when drinking mushroom coffee, you can mitigate potential risks and make an informed decision. The most critical steps involve consulting with a healthcare professional, scrutinizing product quality, and paying close attention to your body's unique response. Don't let the buzz overshadow the need for careful consideration, especially regarding medication interactions and chronic health issues. For more detailed health information on Reishi mushrooms, consult WebMD.

Key Takeaways

Medication Interactions: Be cautious if you take blood thinners, diabetes medication, or immunosuppressants, as certain mushrooms can interfere with their effects.
Specific Health Risks: Individuals with kidney issues should avoid Chaga due to high oxalates, while those with liver or blood pressure concerns should approach Reishi carefully.
Digestive Comfort: To minimize bloating and nausea, start with a small amount of mushroom coffee and consider drinking it with food.
Check for Additives: Always read the ingredient list and opt for certified organic, third-party tested brands to avoid fillers and contaminants.
Moderate Caffeine Intake: Verify the caffeine content, as it can vary, and avoid late consumption to prevent sleep disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not consume mushroom coffee with diabetes medication without first consulting your doctor. Certain mushrooms, like Reishi and Cordyceps, can lower blood sugar, and combining them with hypoglycemic drugs may cause blood sugar to drop too low.

If you have a history of kidney stones, you should avoid mushroom coffee, especially blends containing Chaga. Chaga is high in oxalates, which can increase the risk of forming kidney stones.

Some mushrooms, like Reishi, have been shown to lower blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure or are on medication for high blood pressure, consult your doctor before consuming mushroom coffee to avoid negative interactions.

No, it is generally recommended that pregnant and nursing women avoid mushroom coffee. There is currently not enough research on the safety of medicinal mushrooms during pregnancy or lactation.

Drinking mushroom coffee on an empty stomach can increase the chance of nausea and stomach upset, especially for those with sensitive digestive systems. It is often recommended to consume it with food.

Look for brands that are certified organic and non-GMO. Check if they use a 'dual extraction' method and provide third-party testing results, often in the form of a Certificate of Analysis (COA), to verify ingredient purity.

Yes, but you should be mindful of your total daily caffeine intake. Some mushroom coffee blends still contain a significant amount of caffeine. Overconsumption can lead to caffeine-related side effects like jitters or anxiety.