Whole foods mushroom coffee is a coffee blend with medicinal mushroom extracts that’s been lauded as a healthier alternative to traditional coffee, with purported health benefits such as immune support and improved athletic performance. It looks like your standard cup of joe, though the mushrooms go through a drying and extraction process before getting added to the beans to make up the coffee-like mix.

Where to Find Mushroom Coffee at Whole Foods

The most popular brands of the product feature a variety of functional mushrooms including chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps. They also contain adaptogens, herbs and roots that are said to help the body manage stress and restore balance after a stressful period. For example, lion’s mane may stimulate the production of nerve growth factor and enhance brain function. Cordyceps, on the other hand, is believed to help reduce cortisol and improve blood pressure.

However, the available research is limited and many of the claims about boosting immune function, improving mental clarity or bolstering metabolism are based on anecdotal evidence, not scientific proof. And for the price (around double that of regular coffee), you’d be better off taking a dietary supplement instead, says Czerwony, who points out that chaga and lion’s mane mushrooms are high in oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stones in those at risk for the condition.

For those looking to limit caffeine or simply try something new, she recommends trying a mushroom coffee brand that’s made from shade-grown coffee beans and has low amounts of added sugar. She suggests checking out Laird Superfood, which she notes is organic, free of GMOs and uses a combination of functional mushrooms including lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps.