Cordyceps mushroom can boost VO₂ max (oxygen usage efficiency) and provide other benefits
Drinking mushroom coffee before working out offers performance and energy boosts
Strength-building, purposeful athletes may require other pre-workout stims instead
Introduction: A New Contender in the Fitness World
Pre-workout drinks provide a lot of energy, but do they give you jitters? Many people find traditional pre-workout drinks to be too sweet or strong. Beta-alanine tingles can feel over-stimulating. Mushroom coffee, especially with Cordyceps, enters the ring as a workout drink alternative. It offers a more natural boost to energy, thanks to a unique combination of caffeine and performance-enhancing adaptogens.
Ding ding ding: let’s break down the pros and cons of mushroom coffee for exercising, if it can actually replace pre-workout drinks, and what you should know.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee blends regular coffee with functional mushrooms that have a variety of benefits, from cognitive improvements and relaxation to smooth energy boosts. Usually, mushroom coffee has less caffeine–from 30 mg to 75 mg. So, less than a standard cup of joe (100 mg) or an energy drink (which can go over 300 mg!). Mushroom coffee is also lower in acidity and can be better for those with digestive concerns.
Mushroom coffee’s main mushrooms used include:
Cordyceps: Provides energy and better oxygen utilization. Helps athletes sustain higher intensities of exercise.
Lion’s Mane: The most neutral-tasting mushroom. Itcan enhance focus and the mind-muscle connection.
Chaga: Rich in antioxidants, Chaga supports better stress management and provides immune enhancement.
Reishi: Used mostly for stress reduction, anti-inflammation, and better sleep. Probably not ideal if you want an energy boost in a pre-workout drink, so you may want to avoid Reishi mushroom coffee if you’re drinking it specifically for exercising.
Spotlight on Cordyceps: The Athlete’s Mushroom
Cordyceps is a natural adaptogenic mushroom. It’s been used for centuries to improve stamina and energy levels. In traditional Chinese medicines, Cordyceps is also used to treat fatigue, respiratory problems, cardiac and renal problems, and more.
Cordyceps has been studied for its benefits to high intensity exercise. Let’s review the key findings of this study.
Cordyceps supplements can boost VOâ max, which can allow athletes to use oxygen more efficiently
You can sustain higher intensities of exercise for longer with Cordyceps
Lactate clearance is improved, which essentially can delay muscle cramps and sensations of fatigue
Cordyceps has the potential to support immune function
Cordyceps may naturally enhance performance of exercise and make you feel less fatigued or pained. This suggests it can be a solid supplement to your workout.
Now let’s go over pre-workout supplements, how they work, and what drawbacks make them suboptimal.
How Pre-Workout Supplements Work
Pre-workout drinks and supplements come in many forms. Powders are popular: everyone has probably seen those bulky, black-and-gold tubs. Then you have drinks and even pills, meant to boost athletic performance and energy before a workout.
Examples of what is found in traditional pre-workout drinks:
High caffeine levels (150 to 350 mg)
Beta-alanine
Creatine
Taurine
Nitric oxide boosters
Artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners
Common side effects:
Jitters
A racing heartbeat and anxiety symptoms
Beta-alanine tingles, which can be unsettling
Energy crash later in the day
Digestive discomfort
So now we come to the key question. Can mushroom coffee provide similar pre-workout benefits without the downsides?
The Caffeine & Cordyceps Combination: A Natural Performance Booster
We have to look at the pros and cons of both mushrooms (Cordyceps in particular) and caffeine, the main ingredients of mushroom coffee.
Some people find mushroom coffee to reduce GI issues when compared to regular coffee. However, some people report digestive reactions to adaptogenic mushrooms. This may be especially the case for those who are pregnant or have sensitive dietary needs.
Essentially, mushroom coffee provides you with fewer energy crashes compared to high-stim pre-workout supplements. Caffeine could even help bring out the natural benefits of Cordyceps mushrooms.
If you drink Cordyceps mushroom coffee, the synergistic blend can result in:
Smoother energy
More stable endurance during a workout session
Clearer focus
Fewer jitters than regular caffeinated energy drinks
Fitness Benefits of Drinking Mushroom Coffee Pre-Workout
Better focus and smoother energy
Lion’s Mane has been taken traditionally for mental clarity and concentration. Research shows it has nutritional and cognitive benefits, helping you sustain yourself in the long run, not just during the workout.
Adaptogens help regulate stimulation and stress
Functional, adaptogenic mushrooms are a natural way to improve your body’s ability to manage stress. Yes, stress management can be a physical thing that isn’t only about stress coping strategies! Mushroom coffee can be a valuable way to relax your system. It gives fewer intense highs and lows, fewer jitters, and smoother energy for workouts.
Better Endurance
Cordyceps can enhance stamina, which tends to be useful for running, cycling, HIIT, and endurance sports. This makes it easier to do workouts for longer times. Just be careful to continue working out safely and within your means. Better health is a marathon, not a sprint.
Reduced Anxiety or Overstimulation
The lower caffeine load of most mushroom coffee blends helps prevent jittery sensations. Without beta-alanine, you can also avoid tingles if you don’t like the experience.
Chaga and Reishi (if included in the blend) can also help generate a sense of calm and relaxation. This can be great if you’re using the mushroom coffee for yoga or meditation.
Improved Recovery and Less Inflammations
Adaptogenic mushrooms are often rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Mushroom coffee may help reduce inflammation post-workout, which can make you feel better physically about exercising.
When Mushroom Coffee Can Replace Pre-Workout
Low to medium energy requirements
If you have low to moderate energy needs, mushroom coffee can be a solid replacement. Examples of workout routines that could benefit from an mushroom coffee energy boost include:
Light to moderate lifting
Cardio (running, rowing, cycling)
Yoga or moderate pilates
HIIT for beginners or intermediates
For those sensitive to stimulants
Caffeine is the most popular stimulant in the world. It’s in most energy drinks and supplements. If you hate the way it makes you feel, then you might find mushroom coffee’s lower levels of caffeine a better option.
Mushroom coffee offers cleaner, non-aggressive energy when compared to regular caffeinated drinks. Not only is that thanks to the lower caffeine levels, but many mushrooms provide stress-relieving, functional effects.
For early morning workouts
If you’re one of those people ready to hit the gym or do yoga at 5 am, mushroom coffee can be an excellent choice. It tends to be gentler on the stomach and the body, causing much less caffeine-induced anxiety.
For people who want natural ingredients
High quality mushroom coffee shouldn’t have artificial stimulants or chemical additives. This of course depends on the brand you choose—read the mushroom coffee’s ingredient list to be certain.
When Mushroom Coffee Probably Isn’t Enough
If you want to do any heavy lifting, max-strength sessions, or otherwise really need that creatine or nitric oxide boost… you probably need a different pre-workout supplement. Mushroom coffee isn’t really for high-stim performance for advanced athletes. It’s also not ideal for long endurance events like marathons that require complex carbohydrate and energy support.
Hybrid approach?
You can consider drinking mushroom coffee with added supplements, such as blends that work with creatine or electrolytes. However, we recommend speaking with a dietician or physician before mixing supplements by yourself, especially if you are already taking other supplements for health or exercise.
Best Types of Mushroom Coffee for Pre-Workout
Ideally, you want to look for mushroom blends that feature the following
Key mushrooms:
Cordyceps. This is the top priority since it is the adaptogenic mushroom that improves oxygen usage, provides energy, and enhances the ability to do high-intensity exercise
Lion’s Mane. Useful for providing sustainable focus and energy
Chaga. The antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and improve immune support
Moderate caffeine: Anything from 30 to 100 mg is good enough. Depends on how tolerant you are to caffeine.
*Your mushroom coffee blend may include creatine or other supplements already.
Generally, we advise against adding sugary creamers that can spike your energy levels during the workout and then crash your energy levels later on.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
Adaptogens affect everyone differently. Whereas one person might feel like they run faster than the wind when taking Cordyceps coffee, another person might feel like it’s not enough energy boost. Some people with digestive issues find mushroom coffee to improve their gut health, but others may actually dislike the results of swapping to mushroom coffee. Essentially, your mileage may vary.
Plus, if you’re trying to do a late-night workout or are caffeine-sensitive, mushroom coffee still has caffeine. You can switch to it instead of regular energy drinks, but you may still face sleeping difficulties at night.
In the long run, mushroom coffee usually requires consistent consumption to feel the full adaptogenic benefits.
Final Verdict: Can Mushroom Coffee Replace Pre-Workout?
Yes for many people.
Those wanting smooth, natural, jitter-free performance for their daily workouts can benefit from mushroom coffee, especially with Cordyceps mushroom. The calm energy helps you stay functional the rest of the day, avoiding serious jitters or energy crashes.
Maybe or no for athletes.
If you’re planning on doing high-intensity training, Cordyceps mushrooms can improve oxygen efficiency and reduce fatigue. It can help you workout for longer at high intensities. However, you are not getting the same muscle-growth protein powder benefits or strong caffeination of standard pre-workout drinks. You might want more specialized supplementation.
If you already take other supplements, it’s important to be careful about adding mushroom coffee to your routine. There may be overlaps that result in excessive dosages of a certain ingredient.
Conclusion: A Natural Way to Power Your Workout
Looking for a pre-workout boost that’s better for jitters and energy levels? Mushroom coffee, with Cordyceps in particular, can:
Improve oxygen usage efficiency
Reduce fatigue
Offer smoother energy boost
Avoid jitters and tingles
But if you’re doing serious training sessions as a professional athlete, mushroom coffee might not be enough for you.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
