Welcome to “McDaniel’s Bite-Sized Reviews” | Four Sigmatic Mushroom Cacao Mix with Reishi
It’s a weekly series we’re calling “McDaniel’s Bite-Sized Reviews!” Every other week, we’ll share a popular food, drink or supplement one of our MNT Registered Dietitians tried, reviewed and rated. With the growing number of products on the grocery store shelves, figuring out which items are getting you the most nutritional bang for your buck can feel overwhelming? Our hope is that we can make grocery shopping at least 0.5% easier!
FYI – these posts aren’t sponsored. They are opinions of unpaid tastebuds.
Check Out Our Past Reviews:
Caulipower Pizza Crust
Sports Research Collagen Peptides
Garden Lites Muffins
What is Four Sigmatic Mushroom Cacao Mix?
Tero Isokauppila, the founder of Four Sigmatic was raised on a farm in Finland where he grew up foraging for mushrooms and other wild foods. The name of the company comes from identifying superfoods that are four “standard deviations” above normal food in terms of quality and nutrient density. They qualify mushrooms into this category along with 50 other “superfoods.” The company aims to incorporate mushrooms into everyday convenience items such as coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. This cacao mix is intended to be integrated as a part of your nightly routine.
Why Did We Try Four Sigmatic Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix?
Research continues to grow (due to interest in intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating) and suggest that we should hold off eating 2-3 hours before bed. Giving our body this break between food and sleep may allow for deeper sleep compared to digestion while sleeping. Other benefits include reduced acid reflux, a healthier body weight and improved blood sugar control. For many, nighttime eating happens out of habit. We aren’t usually “hungry;” we just have an appetite for food. My consideration in giving this product a try was to see if it could:
- Be an indulgent-feeling substitute for sweets.
- Be something to “do” in the evening versus eating.
- Be a way to support sleep through the calming effect of Reishi mushrooms.
How Many Stars?
Our 5 Star Rating
Taste:
I tasted zero mushroom, lots of cacao with a hint of cinnamon sweetness. The sweet flavor comes from the addition of stevia. Overall, I felt like I was drinking a lower sugar hot chocolate with an extra kick of cinnamon and cacao. It’s an ideal way to wind down an evening without sugar or the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Nutrient Density: 3/5
Mushrooms are a nutrient powerhouse; high in fiber, vitamins (potassium, B-vitamins) and antioxidants. AND, did you know, they’re the only source of vitamin D in the produce aisle? To be fair, they often don’t get the credit they deserve. Studies have shown that mushrooms can improve immune system function and reduce the symptoms that cancer patients experience during treatment.
Reishi mushrooms specifically have the ability to help relax the body (with no psychedelic affect). It has been shown to support sleep cycles when consumed in small doses often. Four Sigmatic uses the fruit bodies of red reishi mushrooms for their products. Most of the research on the benefits of these mushrooms comes from these fruit bodies. However, they take more time to harvest so most companies do not use them. This sets Four Sigmatic products apart from others on the market.
This mix includes 500 mg of reishi mushrooms. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to about 0.02 ounces. If you don’t enjoy mushrooms, this product might be helpful to include mushrooms into your diet. However, if you do enjoy mushrooms, you might find that you get a lot more by simply buying mushrooms and including them in your normal dishes.
Value: 2/5
This cacao mix comes in a box of 10 packets for $20. At $2/packet, you’re paying half the price of Starbuck’s beverage, but probably 2-3 times more compared to a cup of herbal tea.
Average Rating:
Where To Find Four Sigmatic Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix?
Four Sigmatic’s website states that purchasing online at www.foursigmatic.com, and your item will be shipped within 3-5 business days. Their products can also be found at Fresh Thyme and Whole Foods in the Saint Louis area.