Part of our Mushroom Coffee guide library.
Short answer: It can, mainly because it is still coffee. Coffee stimulates the colon in many people, and studies found that even decaf did this, so it is not only the caffeine. Mushroom coffee usually has less caffeine than a regular cup, which may make the effect milder, but no study has tested mushroom coffee itself. The mushroom extracts are not a laxative, although lion's mane has been linked to stomach discomfort in some people, and milk or creamer can play a part too.
If your mushroom coffee sends you to the bathroom soon after the first sip, you are not alone. Here is what is likely behind it, whether mushroom coffee can cause diarrhea, and what to try if it bothers your stomach.
What you'll learn
- Why coffee, including mushroom coffee, can make you poop
- Whether the caffeine or the mushrooms are responsible
- Whether mushroom coffee can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach
- What to try if it bothers you, and when to see a provider
Why mushroom coffee can make you poop
Mushroom coffee is real coffee blended with mushroom extracts, so the research on coffee applies:
- In a survey of 99 healthy young adults, 29% said coffee gave them the urge to have a bowel movement. In those who said so, activity in the lower colon increased within about 4 minutes of drinking regular or decaf coffee and lasted at least 30 minutes; hot water had no such effect (Brown et al., 1990).
- In another study, caffeinated coffee with 150 mg of caffeine stimulated the colon about as much as a 1,000-calorie meal: 60% more than water and 23% more than decaf (Rao et al., 1998).
So both coffee itself and its caffeine seem to play a part. No study has tested mushroom coffee specifically.
Is it the caffeine or the mushrooms?
Caffeine is part of it, but not all. Mushroom coffee usually has less caffeine than a regular cup: NeuroCoffee has 30 mg per serving (Product Facts), compared with about 113 to 247 mg in a 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee (FDA). Less caffeine may mean a milder effect for some people, but because decaf coffee also stimulated the colon in studies, the coffee itself still counts.
The mushrooms are not a laxative. Mushrooms contain carbohydrates such as chitin and beta-glucans that can act as prebiotics for gut bacteria (Jayachandran et al., 2017), but labels rarely say how much a serving provides, and there is no evidence that the small amounts in a cup act as a laxative. Lion's mane, a common ingredient, has been linked to abdominal discomfort and nausea in a clinical study (MSKCC).
Can mushroom coffee cause diarrhea?
For most people a normal cup is unlikely to cause diarrhea, but it can loosen things or upset the stomach in some, for a few reasons:
- Caffeine and stomach acid. Caffeine increases the release of stomach acid, which can lead to an upset stomach or heartburn (MedlinePlus).
- Milk or creamer. If you are lactose intolerant, milk can cause bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea within a few hours (NIDDK).
- The mushroom blend. Lion's mane has been linked to abdominal discomfort (MSKCC). If a new blend upsets your stomach, compare its ingredient list with one that does not.
For other possible side effects, including the kidney note on chaga, see mushroom coffee side effects.
Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee for your gut
| Mushroom coffee | Regular brewed coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains coffee | Yes, usually instant or ground coffee | Yes |
| Caffeine | Usually lower; NeuroCoffee has 30 mg per serving (Product Facts) | About 113–247 mg per 12 fl oz (FDA) |
| Other ingredients | Mushroom extracts; some blends add other ingredients | None unless you add them |
| Likely to make you poop? | Possibly, because it is still coffee | Yes for some people (Brown et al., 1990) |
What to try if mushroom coffee bothers your gut
- Have it with food rather than on an empty stomach.
- Start with half a serving and increase slowly.
- Switch the milk to lactose-free or a plant milk if you take it with milk.
- Change one thing at a time so you can tell whether the coffee, the milk or the blend is the issue.
- Drink it earlier in the day. See when to drink mushroom coffee.
When to see a health care provider
Talk to a provider if you have diarrhea for more than 2 days, signs of dehydration, severe pain in your abdomen or rectum, a fever of 102 degrees or higher, or stools that contain blood or pus or are black and tarry (MedlinePlus).
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Mushroom coffee is a natural laxative. Reality: It is not a laxative. Like regular coffee, it can stimulate the colon in some people.
Myth: It is the mushrooms that make you poop. Reality: Coffee itself, even decaf, stimulated the colon in some people in studies. The mushrooms have not been shown to act as a laxative.
Myth: Lower caffeine means it cannot affect your bowels. Reality: In one study, decaf coffee also increased colon activity in people sensitive to coffee, so a lower-caffeine coffee can still have an effect.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does mushroom coffee make you poop?
It can, because it is still coffee. Coffee stimulates the colon in many people, and studies found that even decaf did. No study has tested mushroom coffee itself.
Why does mushroom coffee make me poop?
Most likely the coffee and its caffeine. In one study, 29% of young adults said coffee gave them the urge to go. Milk or creamer can also play a part if you are lactose intolerant.
Can mushroom coffee cause diarrhea?
A normal cup is unlikely to cause diarrhea in most people. If it does, try having it with food, using half a serving or switching the milk. See a provider if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days.
Is mushroom coffee easier on the stomach than regular coffee?
It may be for some people because it usually has less caffeine, but it still contains coffee. Lion's mane has been linked to stomach discomfort in some people.
Does decaf mushroom coffee make you poop?
It can. In one study, decaf coffee increased activity in the lower colon in people who said coffee gave them the urge to go, although caffeinated coffee had a stronger effect in another study.
Is mushroom coffee good for gut health?
Mushrooms contain carbohydrates such as chitin and beta-glucans that can feed gut bacteria, but research on mushroom coffee and gut health in people is lacking, and labels rarely list the amounts.
Related guides
- Mushroom coffee side effects
- Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
- Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee
- Does matcha make you poop?
- Lion's mane mushroom supplement: does it work?
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 if you have ongoing digestive symptoms, GERD or ulcers, kidney problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication.
References
- Brown SR, Cann PA, Read NW. "Effect of coffee on distal colon function." Gut, 1990;31(4):450-453. doi:10.1136/gut.31.4.450
- Rao SS, et al. "Is coffee a colonic stimulant?" European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 1998;10(2):113-118. doi:10.1097/00042737-199802000-00003
- Jayachandran M, Xiao J, Xu B. "A critical review on health promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017;18(9):1934. doi:10.3390/ijms18091934
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Lion's Mane Mushroom". Updated June 5, 2024.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?" Content current as of August 28, 2024.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). "Caffeine".
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). "Diarrhea".
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Symptoms & Causes of Lactose Intolerance".
