Ryze Superfoods Mushroom Coffee: Hype or Health?

Mushrooms seem to be everywhere—from dietary supplements to cosmetics and even hot beverages. One of these products, Ryze Superfoods mushroom-powered coffee, is claimed to boost energy and focus; however, our review suggests it may fall short of the proposed benefits.

Reishi, shiitake, and other functional mushrooms are fungi believed to have health benefits beyond nutrition. Used for centuries in traditional medicine systems, they have successfully broken into the wellness world in recent years.

Their supplements market size in North America was valued at $541.77 million in 2023, with lion's mane holding the largest share of the market.

But do these functional mushrooms-powered supplements and products live up to their claims? Here's our review of Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee.

Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee: ingredients

The mushroom coffee is made with Arabica coffee, MCT oil, and coconut milk and contains a blend of functional mushrooms: cordyceps, lion's mane, reishi, shiitake, turkey tail, and king trumpet.

The product contains 2,000 mg of high-potency mushrooms, according to the manufacturer, but their exact amounts aren't specified, the usual practice for proprietary blends.

Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee is claimed to boost energy, improve mental clarity, and support digestion. It promises 'sustained energy without the crash' and no jitters while providing calmer and sharper focus.

A cup contains about 48mg of caffeine, about as much as a cup of espresso. The amounts of MCT oil and coconut milk aren't disclosed.

A 30-serving bag of Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee costs $36.

Benefits of Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee

Ryze Superfoods mushroom coffee hasn't been tested for effectiveness in clinical trials, and the amounts of most ingredients have not been disclosed. Therefore, it is hard to tell whether the product can provide the proposed benefits.

The effects of its individual ingredients aren't well understood either. Despite centuries-long use, there is a lack of extensive human studies to support many claims made by mushroom-containing supplements.

Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist and the founder of Mendocino Food Consulting, says functional mushrooms show promise for boosting energy, focus, and digestion, but evidence is still limited.

"Lion's mane mushroom has the strongest evidence for improving cognitive function, with studies showing it supports nerve growth and brain health. Cordyceps may enhance physical endurance and delay fatigue by improving energy production and oxygen use, though human data is less established," Le tells WellnessPulse.

Most benefits of cordyceps have been demonstrated in animals, while human studies are small in size.

In a 2017 trial, individuals who took a mushroom blend containing cordyceps saw increases in maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and time to exhaustion, measurements suggesting improved energy and performance, compared to a placebo. However, the study included only 28 healthy adults, so the findings may not apply to a broader population.

Many studies on lion's mane supplementation are also small and provide mixed results. Some benefits have been shown in adults with mild cognitive decline, but the effect is less clear in other populations.

A 2023 clinical trial included 41 healthy adults aged 18 to 45. Those who took lion's mane performed better on one cognitive task testing attention and working memory 60 minutes after supplementation, but not on other tasks. While participants reported reduced perceived stress, no objective measures were used to evaluate stress levels.

Animal and lab studies have suggested that lion's mane supplementation may promote beneficial gut bacteria and suppress the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that cause ulcers and gastritis, and may raise the risk of stomach cancer.

Reishi mushroom has shown the potential to help reduce anxiety and depression, decrease fatigue in cancer patients, and boost the immune system. Still, again, the studies are small in size and provide conflicting findings.

There are some human trials proposing shiitake benefits for the immune system, but less is known about its effects on focus and energy.

Turkey tail in a form extract is explored as a complementary cancer treatment in multiple human studies, while king trumpet, or king oyster, was associated with metabolic benefits in one human trial. However, it was consumed as a whole mushroom rather than a powdered supplement.

Mushrooms are rich in dietary fiber, which supports gut health by nourishing beneficial bacteria, but these digestive benefits are most substantial when eating whole mushrooms, according to Le.

Processing mushrooms into supplements or powders can reduce fiber content, and there is not enough evidence to recommend them alone for treating digestive issues.

Dr. Bryan Quoc Le

Regular consumption of whole mushrooms may protect the brain from neurodegeneration, according to a 2023 study that included data from over 2,200 adults. Every additional 10 grams of mushrooms per day was associated with a 12% lower chance of mild cognitive impairment.

A small trial that included 73 adults with obesity found that those who substituted mushrooms for red meat for a year lost more weight and had lower blood pressure. This suggests the potential of mushrooms as a red meat alternative, although more and larger studies are needed.

When it comes to oral health, mushroom coffee may be superior to traditional coffee, as it tends to be less acidic, according Dr. Sandip Sachar, the founder of Sachar Dental NYC.

Moreover, it contains less caffeine, which causes decreased saliva production and a dry mouth. Saliva performs an important role in washing away food particles, plaque, and bacteria. Increased bacteria in a dry mouth significantly contribute to enamel erosion.

Ryze Superfoods mushroom side effects

According to the Ryze Superfoods website, mushroom coffee can expose consumers to chemicals, including lead, which are associated with cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm.

Le says the safety of functional mushroom supplements during pregnancy and lactation and in children isn't well studied, making their use in these populations potentially risky.

Bioactive compounds present in mushrooms may interfere with absorbing essential nutrients, trace elements, and vitamins, raising concerns for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

Individuals who are taking prescription medications or herbal remedies should exercise caution when using functional mushroom supplements. The bioactive compounds in mushrooms might interact with certain drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness or causing adverse effects. Therefore, consulting a healthcare professional before incorporating these supplements is strongly recommended.

Dr. Bryan Quoc Le

The takeaway

Regular consumption of whole functional mushrooms has been associated with cognitive and digestive benefits. However, less is understood about the effects of functional mushroom supplements, as most evidence comes from animal or small human studies.

Ryze Superfoods mushroom-powered coffee doesn't specify the amounts of individual ingredients, making it hard to draw any conclusions about their potential therapeutic effects.