Periods can be challenging, with fatigue, mood swings, and cramps often making everyday life harder. For many, coffee is a go-to pick-me-up, but the caffeine jolt isn’t always kind to menstrual symptoms.
Here comes mushroom coffee with a unique blend combining medicinal mushrooms with coffee.
It’s gaining attention for its potential to boost energy and ease stress without the usual coffee jitters.
Let’s explore how this trendy drink might interact with your menstrual cycle and whether it’s worth trying during your period.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes or trying new supplements, especially during menstruation.
How Mushroom Coffee Affects Hormonal Balance
Hormonal balance plays a significant role in how you feel during your period. The adaptogens found in mushroom coffee, such as Reishi, Chaga, and cordyceps, are known for helping the body interact with its hormones.
Adaptogens and Stress Reduction: During periods, hormonal shifts can increase stress, leading to mood swings and irritability. Adaptogens in mushroom coffee may help manage stress by balancing cortisol levels, which could result in a calmer mood.
Hormone Regulation: Adaptogenic mushrooms are believed to support hormone balance, potentially easing symptoms like bloating and fatigue. These mushrooms are often associated with helping the body maintain hormonal equilibrium.
Impact on Menstrual Symptoms: Since hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during menstruation, the calming properties of certain mushrooms may offer relief from symptoms like anxiety and insomnia.
Potential Benefits of Drinking Mushroom Coffee During Periods
Mushroom coffee could be more than just a trendy drink; it might actually help ease some common period problems. Here’s how:
Stress Relief and Mood Stability: The adaptogens in mushroom coffee, like Reishi and lion’s mane, are known for promoting calmness and mental clarity. During periods when emotions can run high, these mushrooms might help stabilize mood swings.
Reducing Menstrual Cramps and Bloating: Some mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce the severity of cramps and bloating. It can support the body’s natural processes and may offer relief without the need for extra painkillers.
Gentle Energy Boost: Mushroom coffee has lower caffeine content than regular coffee, which means you get a smoother energy boost without the jittery feeling. This can be especially helpful during periods when fatigue is common.
Improved Digestion: For those who experience digestive issues during menstruation, mushrooms like chaga and turkey tail are known for supporting gut health, potentially easing stomach discomfort.
Nutritional Powerhouse: Vitamins and Minerals in Mushroom Coffee
Mushroom coffee is a delicious beverage and a nutritional powerhouse packed with essential vitamins and minerals that can be particularly beneficial during periods.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key nutrients found in mushroom coffee and their potential benefits:
Vitamins
Vitamin D: This vitamin plays a crucial role in calcium absorption, which is essential for bone health. Vitamin D deficiency is common during periods, and mushroom coffee can be a helpful source.
Vitamin B Complex: These vitamins are essential for energy production, metabolism, and red blood cell formation. They can help combat fatigue and anemia, which are common during periods.
Minerals
Iron: Iron is essential for red blood cell production and oxygen transport. Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem during menstruation, and mushroom coffee can help replenish iron levels.
Potassium: It is essential for maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure, and heart health. It can help alleviate bloating and water retention, which are common symptoms of PMS.
Zinc: Zinc is involved in many bodily functions, including immune system support, hormone production, and wound healing. It can help boost your immune system and promote overall well-being during periods.
Possible Downsides or Risks
While mushroom coffee offers some potential benefits during periods, it has drawbacks. Here are a few considerations:
Sensitivity to Adaptogens: Not everyone responds the same way to adaptogens. During menstruation, some people may find that certain adaptogenic mushrooms cause discomfort, such as headaches or digestive issues. It’s essential to listen to your body when trying a new blend.
Digestive Upset: Though mushrooms like chaga and Reishi can support gut health, they might cause mild stomach irritation in some individuals, especially during periods when digestion is already sensitive.
Caffeine Balance: Although mushroom coffee typically contains less caffeine than regular coffee, it’s still something to be cautious about. For some, even moderate caffeine intake can worsen menstrual symptoms like breast tenderness or anxiety.
Potential Interactions with Medications: If you’re taking hormonal medications or supplements, certain mushrooms may interact with them. Always check with a healthcare provider before introducing mushroom coffee if you’re managing your period with medication.
Different Types of Mushroom Coffee and Their Benefits During Periods
Mushroom coffee isn’t a one-size-fits-all drink—different types of mushrooms offer unique benefits that can be especially helpful during menstruation.
Here’s a look at some popular medicinal mushrooms commonly used in coffee blends and how they might support you during your period:
Reishi: Known as the “calming mushroom,” Reishi is celebrated for its stress-reducing and mood-balancing properties. During periods when anxiety and irritability are common, Reishi might help promote relaxation and emotional stability. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which could ease menstrual cramps.
However, high doses of Reishi, in general, can cause bleeding disorders. Especially pregnant women or breastfeeding women should avoid it.
Chaga: Often called the “antioxidant powerhouse,” Chaga is rich in antioxidants that can support immune health and reduce inflammation. During menstruation, its anti-inflammatory properties may help lessen bloating and discomfort, making it a popular choice for those who experience heavy or painful periods.
Lion’s Mane: Known for its brain-boosting benefits, lion’s mane can enhance focus and mental clarity. If you struggle with “period brain” or fogginess during menstruation, lion’s mane might be the mushroom for you. It helps maintain cognitive function and could offer a smoother, more balanced mental state.
It can also cause your period to be shorter than usual. It helps those with irregular menstrual cycles.
Cordyceps: Often linked with energy and endurance, cordyceps can provide a natural energy boost without relying heavily on caffeine. This makes it an excellent option during periods, especially if fatigue is a primary concern. Cordyceps may also help improve oxygen flow in the body, which can be beneficial for combating period-related tiredness.
Turkey Tail: Known for its gut-supporting benefits, turkey tail is often used to promote healthy digestion. Since many people experience digestive discomfort during their period, incorporating turkey tail into your coffee could potentially ease symptoms like bloating and indigestion.
Expert Opinions
Expert insights and research can provide valuable guidance regarding the effects of mushroom coffee during periods.
A medical journalist and author of The Psilocybin Handbook for Women, Chesak explores how psilocybin and other medicinal mushrooms can benefit women’s mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Health professionals often highlight that while adaptogens can help with stress and mood stability, not everyone may experience these benefits. Some doctors caution that during menstruation, the body’s sensitivity to certain substances, including adaptogens, can increase. They advise starting with small amounts if trying mushroom coffee for the first time during your period.
Known for research on Cordyceps mushrooms, Dr. Huang has demonstrated that cordycepin, a unique compound found in Cordyceps, can enhance the production of estrogen and progesterone.
While there is promising research on the general benefits of medicinal mushrooms, specific studies on their effects during menstruation are limited.
However, existing studies do support the anti-inflammatory and stress-relief properties of mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga, which could help alleviate common menstrual symptoms.
They emphasize that mushrooms work best as part of a balanced lifestyle and recommend integrating them gradually to see how they impact your period.
Recommendations for Women Considering Mushroom Coffee During Periods
If you’re thinking about trying mushroom coffee during your period, here are some practical tips to get the most out of it while ensuring it suits your needs:
Start with Small Amounts: If you’re new to mushroom coffee, begin with a small serving. Since periods can make your body more sensitive, this helps you gauge how well you tolerate the adaptogens and lower caffeine levels.
Choose the Right Mushroom Blend: Not all mushroom coffee blends are the same. Look for Reishi and lion’s mane for calming effects and stress relief. If energy and focus are your main concerns, go for blends with cordyceps and lion’s mane. For digestive support during your period, consider options with chaga or turkey tail.
Time Your Consumption Wisely: The best time to drink mushroom coffee during your period depends on your symptoms. Start your day with cordyceps or lion’s mane blends for morning energy without the caffeine crash. If you need something to unwind in the evening, reishi blends are ideal due to their calming properties.
Pay Attention to How You Feel: Periods can affect how your body reacts to foods and drinks. Keep track of how you feel after consuming mushroom coffee and adjust as needed. If it helps with your symptoms, you can gradually increase your intake.
Consult with a Healthcare Provider: If you have a health condition or are taking medications, check with your doctor before adding mushroom coffee to your routine. Certain mushrooms could interact with supplements or medications, so it’s better to be safe.
