Bulletproof coffee is a craze that’s been around for several years now. You may have heard about it, or you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. The idea behind bulletproof coffee is simple: blend up some butter with your coffee and drink it. But does it actually have any health benefits? Can putting butter in your coffee help you lose weight, or do any of the other things it’s claimed to do? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this trend.
Bulletproof Coffee: Good or Bad Idea?
As already mentioned, butter coffee, also known as bulletproof coffee, is a trend that involves putting butter or coconut oil in your morning coffee. This trend gained popularity alongside the keto diet, a diet that consists of eating higher fat and protein and very few carbohydrates. Many claims have been made about how drinking bulletproof coffee can improve your health in various ways. Many health experts, however, disagree. So bulletproof coffee: Is it a yay or a nay?
The Claims For Bulletproof Coffee
The health claims for putting butter in your coffee are pretty straightforward: More energy, a clearer mind, reduce hunger and lose weight. But what is the science behind these claims? It’s actually not too dissimilar from the keto diet. The idea behind both is that adding fat to your diet can help you feel fuller, longer. This means you won’t crave snacks or sweets throughout the day. (1)
But it goes even further than that. The theory behind the keto diet is that cutting carbs will force your body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. This can lead to weight loss and other health benefits like improved brain function and lower risk of heart disease. Bulletproof coffee takes this one step further by adding in some medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are fatty acids that are easier for your body to digest and absorb than other types of fat. These are either added in the form of coconut oil (which is a source of MCTs) or purified MCT oil, usually sourced from palm oil.
Read: Drink these types of coffee to live longer, study says
Energy and Mental Clarity?
One of the claims for bulletproof coffee is that it provides the drinker with more mental clarity. This is due to the combination of caffeine and MCTs. The theory is that since MCTs are easier for your body to digest and absorb than other types of fat, they can be used by the brain as an energy source. This can lead to improved focus and concentration. Others say that it provides them with more energy than regular black coffee. This is all anecdotal, however.
Is Putting Butter In Your Coffee Really A Healthy Choice?
Many so-called “health experts” have been loud on social media over the last few years about the supposed benefits of bulletproof coffee. But there are also claims against putting butter in your coffee—and they’re just as compelling. Replacing a nutritious breakfast with butter coffee means losing out on a lot of nutrients. After all, coffee is not breakfast. And it’s certainly not a substitute for a healthy breakfast.
Saturated Fats
While there are (maybe) some benefits to adding butter and MCT oil to your morning brew, there are drawbacks. The most obvious one: fat and calories. First of all, bulletproof coffee contains a high percentage of saturated fats. These are the fats that have been linked to heart disease, obesity, and other health problems. Adding more saturated fat is not a good idea for those at risk of heart disease. And it’s important to remember that just because something has cholesterol in it doesn’t mean you should automatically avoid it. In fact, many foods contain cholesterol but still have good nutritional value—like eggs and salmon. (2, 3)
For some people, butter coffee can cause stomach discomfort and other gastrointestinal issues such as bloating and diarrhea. This is because butter coffee contains high levels of fat, which can cause digestive problems if you’re not used to it.
The Bottom Line
So, should you be putting butter in your morning coffee? The truth is, probably not. It adds a lot of extra calories and fat to your diet without any real nutritional benefits. If you are really looking for ways to boost energy and mental clarity and feel satiated- eat a healthy, balanced breakfast. But ultimately, if you like the taste of butter coffee, feel free to drink it; just keep in mind it’s nothing magical.
Keep Reading: Interesting Fact: Peanuts Aren’t Technically Nuts So What Are They?
- “Should You Add Butter to Your Coffee?” Healthline. Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD. April 22, 2019
- “Bulletproof Coffee Shouldn’t Be an Everyday Drink.” Cleveland Clinic
- “Setting The Record Straight on Saturated Fats.” Biolayne. Alan Flanagan. August 31, 2017.