Upgrade your coffee … with mushrooms!

Spore-over brew — is it actually a healthier alternative? Mushroom coffee is lauded as a healthier alternative to regular coffee, but what does science say?

͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­

Today's Ingredients Personally, I like my mushrooms sauteed in butter, chopped into a wintry casserole, or freshly sprouting in a misty meadow. It has never crossed my mind to put them in coffee, but smarter people than I understand their benefits for our brains and immunity. We'll look into those below. Also in today's Nutrition Edition:   • Ozempic insurance coverage in doubt   • New pecan benefits unlocked   • Grow your own brain food   • Nature's statin looks a lot like red rice Bon appétit, Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Healthline   Written by Tim Snaith August 15, 2023 • 4 min read Main Course All about mushroom coffee A nice warm cup of mushroom coffee could do much more than provide your daily caffeine fix. While the fungi may seem like a strange addition, they might offer some powerful health benefits that complement the antioxidant properties of coffee. Here's what some of the most well-known mushrooms can do for you: 🍄 Lion's Mane   • Contains bioactive substances that may stimulate the growth of brain cells   • May ward off dementia and cognitive decline   • May relieve anxiety and depression 🍄 Cordyceps and Chaga   • Boost the immune system   • Contain polysaccharides that activate infection-fighting cells   • May have anticancer effects 🍄 Reishi   • May boost immune function   • Has potentially anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects 🍄 Turkey Tail   • Contains many antioxidants   • May boost immunity and help fight cancer ⚠️ However, be mindful of these potential risks:   • Their purity and dosage are often unregulated, so buy from reputable sources.   • Some people report digestive issues and allergies.   • They may interact with some medications.   • People who have autoimmune disorders or take blood thinners should be extra cautious. But for most healthy adults, a warm mug of mushroom coffee could be an easy way to give your immune system and brain health a boost (and we haven't even touched on how some mushrooms work their magic). 😉 Tell us: Have you made room for mushrooms in your daily routine? Which is your favorite? Message us at nutritionedition@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!) Kitchen Kit What we're using Stick it to Big Mushroom by growing your own lion's mane colony in your kitchen. Lion's mane's distinctive appearance is unmistakable, and after a few spritzes (and a little time), your mini garden should start sprouting plump, dense, shaggy mushroom clusters. This particular strain is highly versatile and can be enjoyed cooked, dried, extracted, or even steeped as a tea. Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.   North Spore Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Spray & Grow Kit 4.2  |  1,000+ ratings Shop now Nutrition Spotlight We focus on a different nutrient each week — some well known, others more unusual. This week, a natural source of statins … Red yeast rice Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, this fermented rice product is gaining popularity as a nutritional supplement that can lower cholesterol, among other benefits. Red yeast rice contains monacolin K — the same active ingredient as the prescription drug lovastatin. Studies show that red yeast rice lowers levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and total cholesterol, improving heart health. Some research also indicates it may improve blood sugar levels, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome risk factors and even inhibit cancer cell growth. However, red yeast rice can cause side effects similar to those of statin drugs, including muscle problems and liver toxicity. Be wary that it's unregulated, so actual monacolin K levels may differ from those on labels. People who are already taking statins should not use red yeast rice. The FDA limits allowable monacolin K in supplements to trace amounts and considers products with large amounts to be unapproved drugs. Still, some products break this rule, which means their legal status is questionable. In short, red yeast rice shows promise for heart health, but its safety profile has gaps. Learn more about red yeast rice — both the upsides and the downsides — on our site. And given the serious safety concerns around red yeast rice, talk with a healthcare professional to decide whether it's right for you before trying it. the takeout What we're digesting 🥧 More reasons to love pecans. In addition to being rich, delicious, and versatile, they may protect against obesity and diabetes. 🥚 Can keto help with gout? While there's no direct evidence the diet can fix gout, it can reduce overweight, which can worsen inflammatory arthritis, so it may help. 💲 Insurance providers are halting coverage of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. It comes down to increasing costs, and future weight loss drugs may also be denied coverage. 🍎 Which foods are best at relieving constipation? Get your fill of fiber! These 17 foods will help you eat enough of it. Thank you for reading! In the next Edition, we'll look at how pro athletes approach nutrition and what that means for the rest of us. Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!   This edition was powered by mushrooms in garlic butter.

View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy   |   Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001