Bulletproof Coffee - Yay or Nay?

This high fat coffee drink had its heyday back in 2015 but, since then, advocates (especially those who’ve gone keto) still swear that they’re reaping the benefits of consuming this breakfast-replacing drink.  Bulletproof coffee combines coffee, oil, and butter as a substitute for breakfast. Promoters of the drink claim it has a range of health benefits, including:

• Helping you in maintaining energy levels throughout the morning
• Preventing your cravings and staving off hunger
• Improving your mental focus

Making your own cup of #BulletproofCoffee will involve tracking down a few specific ingredients: Bulletproof Coffee branded coffee, Bulletproof Coffee branded Brain Octane Oil (Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil, which is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil derived from coconut oil), and unsalted grass-fed butter or ghee. There are four steps to making bulletproof coffee:

• Using freshly ground coffee beans, brew 1 cup of coffee - ideally the coffee is brewed using a French press.
• Add 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, which usually derives from coconut oil.
• Add 1 to 2 tbsp of grass-fed, unsalted butter or a non-dairy alternative
• Mix in a blender for 20 to 30 seconds.

The coffee drink should come out foamy, thick, and creamy - and if you’re going to drink it, Susan recommends drinking it warm.While it's filling and energy-boosting, it comes with several potential downsides, including reduced overall nutrient intake, increased cholesterol, and high levels of saturated fat. Here’s a bit more about the fat-providing  ingredients that go into this trendy drink:

• Butter adds a significant amount of calories to coffee and people often experience greater satiety when they choose to eat their calories rather than drink them. While adding butter to your coffee may make you feel fuller for longer, so will eating a balanced meal in the morning.

• MCT oil is a supplement made from a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides. MCT molecules are smaller than those in most of the fats you eat (long-chain triglycerides [LCT]). This makes them easier to digest. You can absorb MCT in your bloodstream quickly. This turns it into energy you can use. MCT Oil, which is often used in #ketogenicdiets to boost ketone production, may increase satiety and promote a small amount of weight loss. Some research found improvements in brain health among people with Alzheimer’s disease who took MCT Oil but further research is needed in this area. You'll also want to keep in mind that while MCT oil is generally safe, some people experience minor side effects like diarrhea, cramping, bloating, and an upset stomach after consuming it.

Despite its prevalence, Bulletproof Coffee has not had enough scientific research into whether it benefits or harms health. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who are responsible for assessing the safety of food, medication, cosmetics, and other products, have not yet evaluated bulletproof coffee.

In conclusion, coffee itself in the morning can improve your mental focus and help a person feel more awake and alert, which lasts for a maximum of 2 to 4 hours. Bulletproof Coffee may be ok to incorporate into your diet but you’ll need to also consider what else you’re eating…there isn’t enough research at this point to definitively say that Bulletproof Coffee benefits the body in a positive way, and there are other foods and drinks that provide significantly higher nutritional benefits that are better worked into a fit and healthy lifestyle that prioritizes your nutrition and your fitness regimen.