I have just been introduced to a product that is a combination of green tea and ganoderma (a red mushroom). It also comes mixed with coffee. I was wondering if you have seen amy research on ganoderma. Thank you so much for this website. It is wonderful!
mpbailey / Originally posted in The Healthiest Beverage
Answer:
I’m so glad you’re finding the website useful! Ganoderma lucidum is more commonly known as the reishi mushroom, one of the oldest known fungi used medicinally. According to the latest review on the subject, there are remarkably few clinical studies on its use despite its popularity throughout East Asia. It does appear to have beneficial immunomodulatory effects in cancer patients but without endpoint data (such as survival and remission rates), case reports with names like Fatal Fulminant Hepatitis Associated With Ganoderma would argue against drinking it in your coffee until we know more.
The healthiest thing to drink is likely green tea. We have good evidence of its benefits and, as a bonus, no fatal side-effects! Hibiscus tea is also a good option. See: Better Than Green Tea?
Image Credit: Kanko / Wikimedia Commons
