Zak Haddad starts each day with a unique cup of coffee infused with lion’s mane mushroom. For him, it provides clarity without the jitters often associated with traditional coffee. These types of drinks, known as “functional coffees,” aim to offer benefits beyond caffeine.
Functional coffees have been around in health food stores for years. Recently, they made their way into mainstream coffee shops. When Zak opened his café, Sipp, in Chorlton, Greater Manchester, he was excited to include a selection of mushroom coffees on the menu. His shop features four different types of mushroom powder, allowing customers to enhance lattes or cappuccinos for an extra cost.
Nutritionist Eli Brecher believes that mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga can help improve focus without the spikes in energy typical of regular coffee. This trend is gaining traction; health food chain Holland and Barrett has nearly doubled its variety of mushroom coffees in just a year.
Starbucks, a leader in the coffee industry, recently introduced protein coffee in its U.S. stores. The UK also offers pre-made protein coffees in supermarkets. A study from Tastewise predicts that functional coffees will be one of the top trends for 2026, noting a 30% increase in the availability of these beverages in coffee shops across the UK.
Brecher emphasizes that there’s a growing interest in well-being and stress management, leading people to seek simple upgrades to their daily coffee rituals. The Black Sheep Coffee chain launched a “functional health” latte range, which has seen significant customer interest, especially for their lion’s mane latte.
Customer feedback varies. For example, Mariam Begum drinks collagen-infused coffee daily and finds it enhances her skin and joints. Meanwhile, Lauren Devlin, who drinks both coffee and protein shakes, is intrigued by functional coffees but hasn’t yet tried them at a café.
Taste-wise, many find little difference between functional coffees and traditional ones. Andrew Salter, co-founder of Dirtea, a mushroom drinks brand, notes that the flavors can be subtle. Some drinkers, like Ana Richardson, report better focus after switching to lion’s mane coffee, while others explore combinations like ashwagandha for added benefits.
Yet, experts caution against viewing functional coffees as miraculous solutions. Research on lion’s mane mushroom is limited but promising. Nutritional therapist Rakhi Lad advises that most coffees contain small amounts of lion’s mane, which might not yield significant results.
James Fleming, a sports nutrition professor, states that most people do not lack protein in their diet, making protein-fortified coffee unnecessary for the general public. According to Bini Suresh from the British Dietetics Association, the benefits of functional coffee vary widely and may not be essential for many consumers.
Overall, functional coffee can be part of a healthy diet if it fits your budget. Enjoy it as an add-on, not as a replacement for a balanced diet. The research is evolving, and personal health experiences will vary. If it makes you feel good, it’s worth a try!
For more on health trends in beverages, you can check resources like the British Dietetic Association.
