The Bulletproof coffee trend is sweeping the nation, so we explore exactly what putting fat in your coffee can do for you.
First, Can You Really Put Butter & Coconut Oil in Coffee?
Butter and oil in coffee? What madness is this? Of course, if a new trend involves dolloping tasty fats into your brew instead of your regular milk and sugar, who are we to complain? The good news for morning coffee drinkers is that not only is bulletproof coffee the best thing you’ll drink all day, but it's actually good for you, too.
But why, exactly, are people adding butter and coconut oil to their coffee? Well, the main reason is that dairy fat and coconut oil contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are digested very differently to other types of fats. Recent scientific studies have shown that MCTs are more readily utilised by the body for energy than other types of fat, and that they have the ability to actually reduce body fat, as opposed to increasing it.
There are some golden rules to making Bulletproof coffee, though. The butter must be the healthier kind, as not all butters can be treated as equal. It's best to use grass-fed, unsalted butter, as grass-fed cows produce more nutritious meat and milk than non-grass-fed cows.
Grass-fed butter actually contains the good fats that can regulate cholesterol, along with a sturdy ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which helps to regulate body fat and also provides you with a good dose of vitamin K, which is great for heart health. Plus, grass-fed butter seems to mix better with coffee than regular butter, producing a silky-smooth brew.
Bulletproof Coffee Benefits
If these health perks aren’t enough to convince you – and not to mention a tasty new flavour for your coffee – another perk to Bulletproof coffee is that it's geared to boost your energy and the function of your brain. It's actually thought that the bioflavonoids in coffee can improve your outlook and sense of alertness, while actually sharpening your focus and ability to concentrate.
Plus, the healthy fats in Bulletproof coffee will keep your energy levels up for longer as they digest much more slowly than carbohydrates and protein. It’s not just the fats themselves that are good for you, either. Bulletproof coffee is chock-full of essential nutrients such as B vitamins, manganese, potassium and antioxidants. Grass-fed butter is also a good-quality source of butyrate, which is a fatty acid that has the ability to decrease inflammation.
Importantly, the MCTs found in coconut oil and dairy fat have been found to boost the rate of your metabolism, which in turn can decrease the amount of fat your body stores and, well, burns it. Not only is Bulletproof brimming with MCTs, but it also provides extra energy – meaning you can work harder in the gym. Plus, the fat in Bulletproof coffee is thought to delay digestion of the caffeine, which means a slower, more steady release of caffeine over a longer period of time.
Lastly, the good-for-you fats in Bulletproof coffee can ward off cravings for snacks between meals, providing you with everything you need to keep you satisfied. Combine cutting down unnecessary snacks with a natural energy-boost and its ability to burn fat, and Bulletproof coffee is just about everything you need to start your day when you're dieting or cutting your body fat.
Bulletproof Coffee Ingredients
- 2 ½ heaping tbsp. ground coffee beans
- 1-2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1- 2 tbsp. grass-fed, unsalted butter or grass-fed ghee (clarified butter) – this is down to personal choice
Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
It’s all a matter of having the right ingredients and knowing how to put them together. Everyone has their own preference for putting a good cup of coffee together, and preparing Bulletproof coffee shouldn't be any different.
To begin, brew your coffee as you usually would. The higher the quality of your coffee, the better. It's best to use a cafetiere, so you'll be able to better preserve any coffee oils that paper filters can sometimes keep out (when you actually want them in).
Stir in your two tablespoons of coconut oil, adding it bit by bit rather than in one big dollop and keep stirring as you go.
Next, add the grass-fed, unsalted butter. You'll need a blender or a good electric hand whisk to combine the ingredients properly. Now put it all in the blender until it looks creamy and even with foam on top. And that's it – perfectly creamy, Bulletproof coffee to fuel your morning or help you power through your workout.
Take Home Message
If you're looking for a new, healthy spin on your morning coffee, Bulletproof coffee with its coconut oil and grass-fed, unsalted butter content can provide you with everything you need to make it through your morning workout. It provides you with plenty of energy and also serves as a top fat-burning, filling, tasty drink that'll leave you ready for whatever your day can throw at you.
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