Lingzhi Coffee: Nutrition Information, Benefits and How to Take It

He lingzhi coffee is a drink prepared from the infusion of roasted coffee beans with extract of dried and powdered lingzhi fungus. The lingzhi is a set of several species of fungi of the genus Ganoderma ; the most commons are Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma tsugae and Ganoderma lingzhi .

In Japan they are known as reishi. In China, both Ganoderma lucidum (red lingzhi) like Sinensis (purple lingzhi) are recognized as lingzhi. These species differ in some of their properties; he Ganoderma lucidum It is considered the most medicinal ling zhi, and it is the strain that is used in Korean and Japanese medicine.

The drink that is prepared with this variety is dark and bitter. It is considered an adaptogen because it helps the body to adapt to both physical and mental stress.

They contain beta-glucans, which strengthen the immune system, contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and can delay the onset of tumor growth.

Among its chemical components include triterpenoids; these carry out activities in the biological field that turn them into components that could be very useful in the treatment and prevention of various diseases.

Composition and nutritional information

In general, fresh mushrooms have approximately 90% water and 10% dry matter. In the dry matter are the proteins with a moderate to high content, a high content in fiber, low in carbohydrates and ash.

Two main components are present in the lingzhi: polysaccharides and triterpenoids. The polysaccharide compounds (carbohydrates and fiber) are soluble in water.

In relation to triterpenoids, they have been identified in the genus Ganoderma more than 130 which, due to their fat-soluble nature, are found in the ethanolic extract.

In the two main strains (red and purple lingzhi) the levels of bioactive ergosterol differ, as do those of triterpenoids. On the contrary, the content of polysaccharides does not differ significantly.

The triterpenoids of Ganoderma lucidum They are called ganoderic acids and have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones.

Other compounds present are beta-glucans (polysaccharide), coumarin, mannitol and alkaloids. The sterols isolated from the fungus include ganoderol, ganoderenic acid, ganoderiol, ganodermanontriol, lucidiaiol and ganodermadiol.

Fungal immunomodulatory proteins are bioactive ingredients within the genus Ganoderma They stimulate the different cells that allow the immune response. Among these are the T and B lymphocytes.

Caffeine

Lingzhi coffee contains only 9 mg of caffeine per cup, unlike traditional coffee that contains between 150 and 200 mg in a similar size portion. Black tea contains 50 mg and green tea contains 30 to 50 mg.

The pH of most coffees is 5.5, while the lingzhi coffee has a pH of between 7.3 and 7.5.

Benefits

Until now no scientific evidence of the health benefits of lingzhi coffee has been found. However, there are reviews on the healthy effects of gender Ganoderma , especially of the attempts to evaluate the therapeutic effect of lingzhi in the promotion of healthy aging.

The beneficial effects of taking Ganoderma lucidum they are attributed to two of the main components already mentioned: on the one hand, polysaccharides (carbohydrates and fibers) and peptidoglycans (carbohydrates with amino acids that branch out from them); and on the other, triterpenoids (fat-soluble molecules with a structure similar to cholesterol).

- Ganoderma lucidum It has antioxidant properties when used as a supplement. It also has a therapeutic effect on insulin resistance and can help treat a variety of conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome.

- Studies have been conducted in humans with reishi in patients with mild hypertension and high levels of blood lipids. While the results showed little change in blood pressure, the researchers found a marked reduction in serum triglycerides and a marked increase in HDL cholesterol.

- Ganoderma lucidum Strengthens the immune system It has been used in the treatment of AIDS and for the relief of the damage of chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Supplements of this extract reduce the chances of prostate and breast cancer, as well as metastasis.

- It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of a polysaccharide peptide in the lingzhi fungus inhibits the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis.

- The extract of the fungus helps eliminate the hyperactive inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular disease.

- It has also been indicated that the intake of 150 to 300 milligrams of extract of Ganoderma lucidum Two or three times a day can relieve urinary tract infections.

- Ganoderma lucidum it prevents the gradual degeneration of nerve cells and can help fight degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

- Ganoderma It has sedative properties, which induce relaxation and sleep. Therefore, it can help relieve insomnia and chronic fatigue.

- It is effective in the fight against viruses such as influenza and herpes simplex virus.

How to take it?

Currently lingzhi comes from artificial cultivation on appropriate substrates, such as sawdust, grains and wood logs.

After forming, lingzhi is harvested, dried, ground and processed into tablets or capsules to be ingested directly or converted into tea or soup. Other lingzhi products include mycelium or processed fungal spores.

If it is made with the commercial mixture with coffee solubilized in powder, ready to prepare, it is recommended not to eat more than one or two small cups a day, such as espresso coffee.

Now, if the commercial preparation is not available, the lingzhi infusion can be made and mixed with coffee. For this it is necessary to attenuate the bitter taste of lingzhi.

It is traditionally prepared by adding it, fresh or dried, in thin slices or pulverized to a pot of boiling water over low heat. The water gradually decreases and in the covered pot it cooks little by little during two hours.

The resulting liquid is quite bitter in taste and dark. The red lingzhi is more bitter than the black. The process is sometimes repeated for additional concentration; this decoction can be mixed with coffee.

Side effects

There are not many studies on the safety of lingzhi coffee. It can cause a series of side effects, such as nausea, dryness of the throat and nose, and itching or rash.

It is important to consult the doctor before taking the drink if you take medications for blood pressure, anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, platelet antiaggregants or chemotherapeutics.

Lingzhi contains adenosine, a compound that can inhibit platelet aggregation. This can lead to unusual or excessive bleeding due to its anticoagulant properties.

As it is associated with coffee, the effects of ingesting high doses of caffeine must be considered, such as the acceleration of the heart rate, difficulty in falling asleep, some stomach alterations and the increase of anxiety states.

References

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