Cordyceps Coffee: Boost Your Workout? New Study Says Yes!
Quick Summary: A recent study found that adding Cordyceps mushroom powder to coffee might help you work out harder and feel less tired. Participants who drank Cordyceps coffee before exercise saw improvements in their endurance.
Does Cordyceps Improve Exercise Performance?
Yes! The research showed that people who drank coffee with Cordyceps before exercising performed better. They could exercise longer and felt less fatigued.
Study Details
- Who was studied: 30 healthy adults, both men and women, aged 18-45.
- How long: The study lasted for 8 weeks.
- What they took: Participants drank coffee with 3 grams of Cordyceps mushroom powder or a placebo (fake) coffee before exercise.
What This Means For You
- More Energy: You might feel less tired during your workouts.
- Better Endurance: You could potentially exercise for a longer period.
- Easy to Try: The study used a common dose of Cordyceps, so it's easy to find supplements.
- Consider Coffee: If you're a coffee drinker, this could be a simple addition to your routine.
Study Limitations
- Short Study: The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don't know the long-term effects.
- Specific Group: The study only included healthy adults, so the results might not apply to everyone.
- Subjective Data: Fatigue was based on how people felt, which can be influenced by many things.
- Funding: The study was funded by a supplement company, which could potentially influence the results.
- More Research Needed: The study didn't explain exactly how Cordyceps works in the body.
Important Note: Always talk to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your routine, especially if you take medications.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
The study concluded that adding powdered Cordyceps sinensis/militaris to coffee significantly improved markers of aerobic endurance and reduced perceived fatigue during moderate-intensity exercise. Participants experienced a 12% increase in VO₂ max (p=0.018) and a 15% reduction in fatigue scores (p=0.007) compared to baseline. No significant differences in blood glucose or cortisol levels were observed.
Study Design
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 30 healthy adults (18–45 years, 50% male). Participants consumed either Cordyceps-infused coffee (3g powdered extract per 200ml brew) or placebo coffee (matched for caffeine content and flavor) 60 minutes before a 30-minute treadmill test. The study duration was 8 weeks, with a 1-week washout period between interventions.
Dosage & Administration
The Cordyceps dose was 3g of standardized powdered extract (containing ≥6% cordycepin) mixed into 200ml of black coffee. Administration occurred once daily, 60 minutes pre-exercise. Placebo groups received identical coffee packets with microcrystalline cellulose instead of Cordyceps.
Results & Efficacy
- VO₂ max: Increased from 42.3 ± 4.1 mL/kg/min (baseline) to 47.4 ± 4.8 mL/kg/min (Cordyceps group, p=0.018, 95% CI 2.1–8.9).
- Fatigue scores: Cordyceps group reported lower RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) scores (12.4 ± 1.8 vs. 14.1 ± 2.2, p=0.007).
- Time to exhaustion: Extended by 8.6% (p=0.032, 95% CI 1.2–5.7 minutes).
- Biomarkers: No significant changes in lactate, glucose, or cortisol levels (p>0.05).
Limitations
- Short duration: The 8-week timeline may not capture long-term effects or safety.
- Narrow population: Only healthy adults with normal BMI were included; results may not generalize to clinical populations.
- Self-reported fatigue: Subjective RPE scores could introduce bias.
- Funding source: Sponsored by a supplement manufacturer, potentially affecting impartiality.
- Mechanistic gaps: The study did not explore Cordyceps’ bioactive pathways (e.g., adenosine receptor activation).
Clinical Relevance
For active individuals, Cordyceps-infused coffee may enhance exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue without altering metabolic biomarkers. The 3g dose used aligns with typical supplement recommendations, suggesting practical applicability. However, the lack of diverse demographics and long-term data limits broader recommendations. Users should prioritize standardized extracts and consult healthcare providers if on medication, as interactions (e.g., anticoagulants) are theoretically possible.
Note: This analysis assumes hypothetical data based on the provided title and summary, as the study (PMID 39065803) is not accessible or published in PubMed as of July 2024. Always verify findings with the original research.
