What Is Bulletproof Coffee, and Is It Good For You?

Bulletproof coffee, also known as butter coffee, is black coffee with butter or coconut oil added. Research has shown some mild fat loss and cholesterol level regulation in people who drink bulletproof coffee.

Bulletproof coffee, also known as butter coffee, is black coffee with butter or coconut oil added. People on the keto diet and intermittent fasters claim to see the most bulletproof coffee benefits. However, there are some health risks involved in drinking bulletproof coffee that you should consider before adding butter and oil to your morning coffee.

Bulletproof coffee, or butter coffee, is coffee with butter or coconut oil added rather than cream or sugar. Bulletproof coffee is made using the following steps:

1. Prepare one cup of black coffee. It should be strong.
2. Stir in one to two tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter.
3. Add a tablespoon of medium-chain triglyceride oil, or MCT oil.
4. Use a blender to combine the ingredients.

It does not count as bulletproof unless you use this specific butter and oil.

The following populations have a history of making concoctions similar to bulletproof coffee:

• Nepal Himalayan natives
• Northern India Kashmiris
• Singapore natives
• Vietnamese natives
• Gurange natives of Ethiopia

Preparation methods included sauteing coffee with spices and butter; roasting after mixing with salt, butter, and sugar; and other preparations involving honey, butter, and salt. 

The US version of this buttery concoction was the brainchild of Bulletproof executive owner Dave Asprey. He claims this drink will create natural weight loss and increase brain function. The drink became a popular trend among people on the paleo diet and fans of grass-fed diets in particular. 

The flavor may be an acquired taste, but bulletproof coffee supposedly aids in weight loss and increases energy.  

Drinking bulletproof coffee is a way to ingest healthy fats that your body needs on a regular basis. There are many benefits to beginning your morning with healthy fats. They provide energy and hormonal system support, and they are good for cognitive function. Grass-fed cow butter supplies more omega-3 and 4 fatty acids than butter from traditionally raised cows.

Just like in regular coffee, antioxidants are abundant in bulletproof coffee. 

Research has shown some mild fat loss and cholesterol level regulation in people who drink bulletproof coffee. However, the research supporting this is limited.

MCTs are unique in that they use fewer enzymes and energy during the digestion process. Their form is unique when compared to long-chain triglycerides found in other fats. They produce ketone bodies, which the brain sometimes uses for mental processing.

Not much research is available to determine the long-term health effects of bulletproof coffee. There are, however, health risks that come with regularly drinking bulletproof coffee. 

• Long-term use of bulletproof coffee may increase the risk of heart disease due to the high levels of saturated fat that remain in the coffee. 
• The addition of butter and oil adds a lot of additional calories to a normal cup of coffee. In fact, the butter and oil can take your black coffee from 0 calories per serving up to almost 500 calories per serving. 
• Sources of MCTs like coconut oil contain higher levels of trans fats and saturated fats. These are known to raise cholesterol levels, increasing cardiovascular problems and the risk of heart disease. One tablespoon of MCT oil and 1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter adds up to 100 percent of your daily recommended allowance of saturated fat.  
• MCT sources add an additional 200-500 calories per serving. Unless you use bulletproof coffee as a replacement for other foods or beverages that you take in daily, you could potentially gain an extra 20-30 pounds over the course of a year. 

Studies show that butter fat contains omega fatty acids. Omega 3 and 6 help you to hold on to energy longer by slowing down the body's metabolism of caffeine. This helps to prevent crashing when the stimulant effect wears off.

Butterfat also contains fatty acids called glycosphingolipids. These help to protect against digestive tract infections in vulnerable demographics like young children and the elderly.

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs. 

• MCTs are shorter-chain triglycerides as opposed to the long-chain triglycerides found in other dietary fats.  
• Unlike other fats, MCTs are not stored in fat tissues. 
• MCTs digest easily and go straight to your liver. 
• The body processes MCTs into ketone bodies, which can improve mental functions.