This caffeine alternative offers surprising health benefits

Mushroom coffee is gaining ground as a substitute for the morning caffeine fix.While drinking mushrooms might not sound like the most appealing thing in the world, the trend has attracted attention for its array of health benefits and added energy boost.Mushroom coffee proponents have said it promotes better sleep — plus provides more energy, improves focus, boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation, according to a Harvard Health publication.Some mushroom coffee makers also claim the drink can boost mood and gut health.Most mushroom coffees do include caffeine but contain about half the amount of a regular cup of coffee.The brew is typically made with medicinal mushrooms, including common varieties such as chaga, lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, king trumpet and turkey tail, Harvard Health noted. These are considered adaptogens as part of the “adaptogenic mushroom coffee” infusion that’s meant to provide health benefits.In a video posted to Instagram over the weekend, Fox News co-anchor Dana Perino of “America’s Newsroom” and “The Five” shared her love of mushroom coffee with “Fox & Friends” co-hosts Rachel Campos-Duffy and Charlie Hurt.“I’m a big proponent and I love amazing coffee,” Perino said as her colleagues took a sip.“It’s like mushroom soup,” Hurt reacted with disapproval.“You’ve just ruined it for me,” Campos-Duffy responded.“I was about to say ‘great.'”Perino rated her mushroom coffee a 10 out of 10 — while Campos-Duffy gave it a four and Hurt gave it a one.

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Never miss a story.“Ask Martha McCallum, she likes it, too,” said Perino. “It kind of does grow on you,” Campos-Duffy said.In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Perino detailed how s...