Part of our Mushroom Coffee guide library.
Short answer: There is no good evidence that mushroom coffee helps you lose weight. No study has tested mushroom coffee for weight loss, and the mushroom extracts in it have not been shown to reduce body weight in people. The caffeine in coffee slightly raises the calories your body burns, and people who drink more unsweetened coffee tend to gain a little less weight over time, but the effects are small. Where mushroom coffee can help is simpler: a plain serving has few calories, so swapping it for a sweetened coffee drink cuts calories, as long as you keep the sugar and creamer light.
Mushroom coffee is often marketed alongside words like "metabolism" and "weight loss." If you are thinking about switching, it is fair to ask whether it will actually help you lose weight. This guide looks at what the research says about coffee, caffeine and the mushrooms themselves, and where mushroom coffee can realistically fit into a weight management routine.
What you'll learn
- Whether any study shows mushroom coffee causes weight loss
- What research says about coffee, caffeine and body weight
- Whether the mushroom extracts themselves affect weight
- How mushroom coffee compares with regular and sweetened coffee in calories and caffeine
- Practical ways to fit mushroom coffee into a weight management routine
Does mushroom coffee help you lose weight?
Not directly, as far as the evidence goes. We did not find any study that tested mushroom coffee for weight loss in people. Claims that it "melts fat" or "boosts metabolism" usually borrow from research on caffeine or on concentrated mushroom compounds tested in animals or cells, not from studies of mushroom coffee itself.
That does not make mushroom coffee useless for someone watching their weight. It means any benefit comes from ordinary things: the calories in your cup, the caffeine, and what the drink replaces. For a broader look at which mushroom coffee claims hold up, see mushroom coffee claims: proven, promising or marketing.
What research says about coffee, caffeine and weight
Coffee and caffeine have been studied far more than mushroom coffee. The findings point in a helpful direction, but the effects are modest:
| Study | What it found | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Dulloo et al., 1989 | 100 mg of caffeine raised resting metabolic rate by 3 to 4% over 2.5 hours. Taking 100 mg every 2 hours for 12 hours raised daily energy use by about 150 calories in lean adults and 79 calories in adults who had previously had obesity (Dulloo et al., 1989). | Small study. The repeated dosing added up to 600 mg of caffeine a day, more than the FDA's 400 mg guide for most adults. |
| Tabrizi et al., 2019 | A review of 13 randomized trials with 606 people concluded that caffeine intake might promote small reductions in weight, BMI and body fat (Tabrizi et al., 2019). | Results varied widely from study to study. |
| Henn et al., 2023 | In three large U.S. cohorts followed over decades, each extra daily cup of unsweetened coffee, caffeinated or decaf, was linked to about 0.12 kg (0.26 lb) less weight gain over 4 years. Each added teaspoon of sugar was linked to 0.09 kg more (Henn et al., 2023). | Observational: it shows an association, not cause and effect. Adding cream or nondairy creamer was not significantly linked to weight change. |
Two points stand out. First, the caffeine effect is real but small, and it depends on the dose. Second, what you put in your coffee matters: in the Henn study, adding sugar counteracted the link between coffee and less weight gain (Henn et al., 2023).
Do the mushrooms themselves help with weight?
There is little human evidence that they do. For reishi, a Cochrane review of small randomized trials found that reishi taken at 1.4 to 3 g a day for 12 to 16 weeks did not significantly change body mass index in adults with type 2 diabetes (Klupp et al., 2015).
We did not find human trials showing that lion's mane, chaga, cordyceps or turkey tail extracts reduce body weight. Most mushroom research looks at other questions, and much of it is done in animals or cells. Mushroom coffee is best chosen for its taste and its lower caffeine dose, not as a weight loss product. See our guide to the mushrooms in mushroom coffee for more on each mushroom.
Calories and caffeine: mushroom coffee vs regular coffee
Plain coffee, with or without mushrooms, is low in calories. What changes the picture is sugar, syrups and creamers.
| Drink | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Black coffee, brewed, 1 cup (8 fl oz) | About 2 (USDA FoodData Central) | About 95 mg (USDA FoodData Central) |
| NeuroCoffee mushroom coffee, 2 tbsp (6 g) | 25 (Product Facts) | 30 mg (Product Facts) |
| Each teaspoon of sugar you add | About 16 more (USDA FoodData Central) | None |
| Milk, creamer, syrups or whipped cream | More, depending on the amount | None |
The black coffee and sugar figures are our calculations from USDA data per 100 g. Other mushroom coffee brands vary, so check the calories and caffeine on the label. For more on caffeine content, see does mushroom coffee have caffeine?.
Because a serving of NeuroCoffee has less caffeine than a typical cup of brewed coffee, you should not expect a bigger metabolic effect from it. Its appeal is a lower caffeine dose, not a stronger effect.
How to fit mushroom coffee into a weight management routine
- Use it as a swap. If you usually buy a sweetened coffee drink, a plain mushroom coffee with a splash of milk can save calories.
- Go easy on sugar. Each teaspoon adds about 16 calories (USDA FoodData Central), and in long-term research added sugar was linked to more weight gain (Henn et al., 2023). Try cinnamon, vanilla or a little less sweetener each week.
- Measure the extras. Creamers, syrups and oat or coconut milks can add more calories than the coffee itself.
- Keep it out of your evening. The FDA lists trouble sleeping among the signs of too much caffeine (FDA). See how long caffeine stays in your system and when to drink mushroom coffee.
- Do not count on it. No drink replaces the basics of eating patterns, activity and sleep.
Need a recipe? Our guide to how to make mushroom coffee includes lighter options. If you fast, see does mushroom coffee break a fast?
Who should be careful
- Caffeine limits: for most healthy adults, the FDA cites up to 400 mg of caffeine a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects. Some people are more sensitive (FDA).
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your health care provider about caffeine (FDA).
- Medications and health conditions: if you take medication, have a medical condition or are following a weight loss plan from your doctor, ask before adding mushroom supplements or drinks.
- Weight loss products: be wary of any coffee or supplement promising fast or effortless weight loss.
For more, see mushroom coffee side effects and how much caffeine is too much.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Mushroom coffee burns fat. Reality: No study has shown that mushroom coffee burns fat or causes weight loss in people.
Myth: More caffeine means faster weight loss. Reality: Caffeine raises energy use only slightly, and higher doses bring side effects such as jitters and poor sleep. The FDA cites 400 mg a day as a general limit for most healthy adults.
Myth: Adding mushrooms makes a sweet coffee drink healthy. Reality: Sugar, syrups and creamers count the same either way. In long-term research, added sugar in coffee was linked to more weight gain.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does mushroom coffee help you lose weight?
There is no good evidence that it does. No study has tested mushroom coffee for weight loss. It can help indirectly if a plain cup replaces a sweetened coffee drink.
Is mushroom coffee better than regular coffee for weight loss?
Not in a proven way. Plain versions of both are low in calories. Regular coffee usually has more caffeine, and caffeine slightly raises the calories you burn, but the effect is small.
How many calories are in mushroom coffee?
It depends on the brand. One serving of NeuroCoffee (2 tablespoons) has 25 calories, compared with about 2 in a cup of black coffee. Milk, sugar and creamer add more.
Does mushroom coffee suppress appetite?
We did not find studies showing that mushroom coffee reduces appetite or how much people eat.
Can mushroom coffee boost metabolism?
The caffeine in it can raise metabolic rate slightly. In one study, 100 mg of caffeine raised resting metabolic rate by 3 to 4% for a few hours. A serving of NeuroCoffee has 30 mg.
What is the healthiest way to drink mushroom coffee?
Plain or with a small splash of milk, with little or no added sugar, and early enough in the day that it does not affect your sleep.
Do mushrooms like reishi or lion's mane help with weight loss?
Human evidence is lacking. A Cochrane review found reishi did not significantly change body mass index, and we did not find human weight loss trials for lion's mane, chaga or cordyceps.
Related guides
- Does mushroom coffee break a fast?
- Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
- Mushroom coffee claims: proven, promising or marketing
- Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee
- How to make mushroom coffee
- Mushroom coffee side effects
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your health care provider before changing your diet or caffeine intake if you have a medical condition, take medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Dulloo AG, et al. "Normal caffeine consumption: influence on thermogenesis and daily energy expenditure in lean and postobese human volunteers." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1989;49(1):44-50. doi:10.1093/ajcn/49.1.44
- Tabrizi R, et al. "The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996
- Henn M, et al. "Changes in Coffee Intake, Added Sugar and Long-Term Weight Gain - Results from Three Large Prospective US Cohort Studies." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2023;118(6):1164-1171. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.09.023
- Klupp NL, et al. "Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015;(2):CD007259. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Beverages, coffee, brewed, prepared with tap water" (FDC ID 171890). FoodData Central, SR Legacy.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Sugars, granulated" (FDC ID 169655). FoodData Central, SR Legacy.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?".
- OurJrney. Product Facts: caffeine, serving size and ingredients.
