Is it safe to drink mushroom coffee while pregnant? This is an important topic that many expecting mothers find themselves curious about.
In this aricle, we’ll explore the facts – the benefits and risks associated with consuming mushroom coffee while pregnant.
What is mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee offers that mix of a ground mushroom and coffee beans. It is brewed like the regular coffee and has a dark, smooth and nutty flavor.
Most of the ones on the market contains extracts from medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, lion’s mane or chaga.
And these mushrooms are recognized for their health benefits like minimizing stress, improving the immune and helping memory loss. They’re also known to provide a quick energy boost.
Despite its name, mushroom coffee doesn’t taste like mushrooms. Instead it has the rich coffee flavor that most people usually do enjoy.
You can easily get it in ready-to-mix packets of instant coffee, and that makes it very convenient and quick to prepare.
Can pregnant people drink mushroom coffee?
If you’re pregnant and considering consuming mushroom coffee, it is generally safe to do so. It is usually made from culinary mushrooms, which are safe for pregnant women to eat.
However make sure you are using or taking commonly eaten mushrooms and not the wild or psilocybin ones which are to be avoided while pregnant.
These pregnancy-safe mushroom options include;
- Button
- Baby
- Portobello
- Shiitake
- Oyster
- Cremini
Popular brands such as the four sigmatic and Ryze mushroom coffee are all safe to be taken during pregnancy, but in moderation.
Mushroom coffees contain significant amounts of caffeine, which is a typical concern in pregnancy.
Binge eating caffeine can cause some side effects like miscarriage and low birth weight. In fact in most cases, it can affect your baby’s heart rate and breathing in the womb.
So you should monitor your intake keenly and make sure you do not over drink.
What size coffee can I drink when pregnant?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women must not take more than 200mg of caffeine in a day, which is about a 12-ounce cup of coffee.
Staying within this recommended dosage has been proven safe and not likely to cause pregnancy complications.
You should also note that tea, energy drinks and chocolate may contain caffeine too so you should factor their dosages when tracking the caffeine amount to consume in a day.
I have a full article on coffee intake during pregnancy. You can find it here for an indepth information.
Benefits of mushroom coffee during pregnancy
The medicinal mushroom added to the coffee blend can provide various health benefits such as:
Boosting the immune system
During pregnancy, your immune system becomes weaker than usual, and mushrooms such as Chaga or Shiitake have been shown to help boost immunity and potentially help in prevention of infections.
Reducing stress
No two ways here, Pregnancy can be stressful, but the addition of Lion’s Mane Mushroom to coffee can help stress and anxiety reduction by maintaining brain hormones in the body.
Boosting energy
Caffeine and cordyceps mushroom found in many mushroom coffee blends can boost energy levels, which is very helpful in managing persistent fatigue in pregnancy.
Supporting brain fuctions
Concentration and memory are important during pregnancy, and the benefits of the pion’s mane mushroom were found to promote healthy nerve functions and support brain functions.
Reducing inflammation
Some types of mushrooms like chaga have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body.
While mushrooms coffee may be these potential benefits, it’s very important to consume small quantities, just like any other caffeinated beverages during pregnancy.
What kind of coffee can pregnant woman drink?
If you’re looking to drink coffee during pregnancy, then it is very important to be mindful of the caffeine content.
Regular brands contain varying amounts of caffeine depending on factors like the type of coffee bean, the brewing method and the amounts of grams.
Decaffeinated coffee has significantly less caffeine – mostly containing less than 5mg per an 8 ounce serving, and can be a good option.
It’s also worth considering other alternatives that are caffeine-free such as herbal teas like ginger or chacomile tea which can provide the warm and soothing beverage option for pregnant women.
Is mushroom tea safe during pregnancy?
Yes, mushroom tea is just as safe as mushroom coffee during pregnancy. It is important to note that different types of mushrooms may have different effects and safeness. You should choose safe mushroom options like;
- Shiitake
- Portobello
- Oyster
- Maitake
- Chestnut
- Crimini and
- White button mushrooms
These good mushrooms contain nutrients and antioxidants that can improve your overall health together with your baby.
Some research makes it clearer that eating mushrooms during pregnancy may help to lower the risk of conditions like Preeclampsia, Hypertension and Gestational diabetes.
It is important to note that mushrooms such as wild mushrooms and psilocybin mushrooms should be avoided during pregnancy.
Just like mushroom coffee, you shouldn’t binge on the teas too. And as always, talk with your doctor before starting any new diet or herbal concoction like mushroom tea during pregnancy
What are good alternatives to mushroom coffee when pregnant?
Some alternatives to mushroom coffee to consider include;
- Decaffeinated tea
- Herbal tea
- Hot water with lemon
- Hot cocoa
Can you have reishi mushroom while pregnant?
If you are a lover of mushroom, then you may have wondered why I did not add Reishi mushrooms to the list of good mushrooms for pregnant women.
Though it has some potential benefits like supporting immune system and controlling blood sugar levels, it is known to have anticoagulant properties which may pose some level of risks to pregnant women especially near the time of delivery.
This is the reason why you must talk to your doctor when deciding to have reishni mushrooms during pregnancy.
FAQs
Pregnant women can safely take in mushroom supplements but they should check first with their health providers. This is necessary to ensure that you have good mushrooms in the ingredients of the supplement you choose to have.
Yes, mushrooms are good and safe depending on the types you choose. If you’re unsure, check with your dietitian or doctor to confirm first, before you have it.
If you’re looking to boost energy in pregnancy, choose safer options like eating balanced meals and drinking small amounts of sports drinks like gatorade.
Conclusion
Pregnant women can safely drink mushroom coffee but in moderation.
While there’s still research into its safety during pregnancy, the medicinal mushrooms, which are added to the coffee blend, makes it safe to be taken during pregnancy.
However, you don’t need to drink to excess. You only have 200mg of caffeine intake in a day and it may quickly add up if you put your cravings over your health and the baby.
Not forgetting to discuss with your doctor too especially if you’re considering to taking it routinely. He or she would give you advises geared towards your specific health need.
References: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mushroom-coffee-should-you-be-drinking-it/
