Mushroom coffee and teas are officially a thing. Much
like acai bowls and avocado toast, the health food trend promises some
pretty impressive health benefits, but, we have to admit it lacks the
same appeal. So what's the deal with this new take on your morning cup
of coffee? We share all the must-know info below.
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First, let's
get one thing out of the way. There's nothing wrong with sipping java
on the regular. While the everything-in-moderation rule definitely
applies, studies have even proven that it can have health benefits,
including a longer life. So why all the hype about this coffee-esque beverage? It's about its ability to fight adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue
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But in a culture where maxed out is the status quo,
cortisol production is often in overdrive. The result? An excess of
stress hormones in the bloodstream that can lead to everything from
suppressed thyroid function to weakened immunity and anxiety. Activating
the body's relaxation response is key to switching off heightened
cortisol production. Activities such as exercise, meditation, breathing
exercises and journaling can help manage stress and bring cortisol
levels down to a balanced, healthy level and so can the introduction of
adaptogens into your diet.
Adaptogens
Derived from herbs
and roots, adaptogens are organic compounds that can support the body in
the management of ongoing stress. They particularly target the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA),
a key player in the body's stress-system. In a nutshell, adaptogens
control the body's response to stressors, capping cortisol production,
and ultimately alleviating associated problems such as irritability,
exhaustion and etc.— all without the typical side effects of traditional
pharmaceuticals. Sounds good, right?
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Which brings us back to mushrooms. Much like turmeric, ginseng
and maca, mushrooms are adaptogens. Pair that with their other
health-boosting benefits—including anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants and brain-fog-fighting powers (not to mention polysaccharides, which can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells) and you have a pretty powerful tool for both combatting adrenal fatigue and enhancing health overall.
Mushroom Coffee and Tea
Stress
itself isn't the only thing that will kicked your body's production of
cortisol into high gear—caffeine causes your body to make cortisol too.
Reducing caffeine consumption or finding a replacement for your morning
cup(s) of joe is a pretty good strategy for kicking adrenal fatigue to
the curb — which is why things like mushroom coffee and tea are on the
rise.
[post_ads]While not entirely devoid of caffeine, mushroom coffee
provides adrenal support and eliminates things like post-espresso
jitters and crashes, plus the alkaline nature of the mushrooms means no
stomach burn. Mushroom tonics, on the other hand, are totally caffeine
free—ideal if you're looking to nix coffee altogether but still want a
caffeine-esque boost.
Taste is, however, a major consideration
here and for those who aren't fans of mushrooms, the idea of mushroom
coffee might be incredibly off-putting. We hear you. Luckily, the buzzy
beverage doesn't actually taste like mushrooms, but rather an
earthy, mellow blend of coffee and tea. It comes in powder form in
either a tea bag or instant coffee-like pouch, which is then added to
hot water.
Intrigued by the idea? Four Sigmatic and Moon Juice offer a variety of different products that allow you to get your mushroom fix.
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