Bulletproof coffee is an excellent beverage designed to help curb hunger while introducing a boatload of nutrients and vitamins into the body.
It is also proving to be an effective tool for weight management and works well with several different diets.
In this article, we will discuss not only what bulletproof coffee is, the different types and recipes enjoyed by bulletproof coffee drinkers, and a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious beverage.
What is Bulletproof Coffee?
Bulletproof coffee is a high-fat, high-calorie drink popular with people who adhere to ketogenic, paleo, and other low-carb diets.
It combines coffee with high-quality fats like grass-fed butter or ghee and coconut oil.
It is typically used in place of the breakfast meal.
Bulletproof coffee was designed to help keep the body in a state of ketosis.
Ketosis, the metabolic state where the body burns fat instead of glucose, is a popular method of fat and weight loss.
Why Do They Call it Bulletproof Coffee?
The name “bulletproof coffee” was introduced by founder and entrepreneur Dave Asprey.
The name comes from his signature line of diet supplements, including Brain Octane Oil, which is designed to combat brain fog and help people feel more alert and energetic for longer periods.
What Does Bulletproof Coffee Do For You?
Bulletproof coffee, also known as butter coffee, has a long list of potential health benefits, which makes it a popular drink choice.
The healthy fat drink is said to be a convenient way to get in an energy-boosting breakfast that will also keep you full for hours.
Additionally, it is packed with healthy fats that can help you meet your daily fat intake goals.
What Does Bulletproof Coffee Taste Like?
Most people agree that bulletproof coffee has an incredibly rich and creamy texture that resembles a latte.
However, it doesn’t contain the milk or added sugars of the traditional coffee drink, making it a healthier and more satisfying alternative.
Other spices can be added to the traditional bulletproof coffee recipe which can alter its flavors, such as turmeric or dark chocolate powder.
Who Should Drink Bulletproof Coffee?
In addition to helping curb hunger cravings, reducing brain fog, and providing more stable and consistent energy throughout the day, bulletproof coffee is said to also aid in weight loss.
As such, many people who adhere to low-carb diets such as the paleo or ketogenic diets find bulletproof coffee to be a beneficial part of their daily diet.
When Do You Drink Bulletproof Coffee?
Although there is no right or wrong time of day to drink bulletproof coffee, most people choose to drink it in the morning.
Not only is coffee traditionally a morning pick me up thanks to its caffeine content, but bulletproof coffee’s high-fat content is great for satisfying hunger and providing long-term fuel.
How Much Bulletproof Coffee is Too Much?
Most studies agree that between 3 and 4 cups of regular coffee is a safe amount for the average healthy adult in terms of caffeine consumption.
If you love the rich and creamy taste of a bulletproof coffee, you may find yourself wanting to partake in a second or third cup.
However, there is such a thing as too much bulletproof coffee.
This is thanks to the fat content.
The beverage contains a higher-than-recommended daily amount of saturated fat, which, when enjoyed in excess, can lead to health problems.
It is considered safe and standard to enjoy 1 cup of bulletproof coffee a day.
Pros and Cons of Bulletproof Coffee
When it comes to human health, there are always pros and cons to the types of foods we eat.
Let’s address the pros and cons of drinking bulletproof coffee.
Benefits of Drinking Bulletproof Coffee
There are plenty of health benefits to drinking bulletproof coffee, including:
- Improved metabolism
- Increased focus and sense of alertness
- More stable energy-levels
- Weight loss
- Improved mood
Weight loss is a primary focus for many people who choose to drink bulletproof coffee.
This idea is due to the MCT oil present, which short-term studies have shown can have positive effects on weight management and overall weight loss.
The basic science behind this is simple.
When the human body digests fats like MCT oil alongside a low-carb diet, it produces ketones which are used as the primary energy source in place of carbohydrates.
This process allows the body to lower its insulin levels and burn fat, leading to weight loss.
Health Benefits of Drinking Bulletproof Coffee
People researching butter coffee and the high-fat diets it is associated with often wonder whether it is healthy or not.
The truth is that further research is needed to determine if high-fat diets and beverages like bulletproof coffee can be deemed “healthy.”
In the meantime, the research that has been done supports the idea that these ingredients can promote effective and long-term weight loss, which tends to have a positive impact on health indicators, like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Potential Downsides of Bulletproof Coffee
Of course, like any diet food or drink, there are also some potential downsides to drinking bulletproof coffee.
For example, bulletproof coffee is incredibly high in calories.
Thanks to the high-fat content, most of which is saturated fat, a 12-ounce cup of coffee equals almost 500 calories.
People trying to follow a low-calorie diet for health or weight loss reasons may struggle with adding in this type of food.
The high levels of saturated fat are another downside to bulletproof coffee, as we touched on above.
Each 12-ounce cup has around 22 grams of saturated fat.
The American Heart Association recommends that the average person eating a 2,000 calorie diet shouldn’t consume more than 13 grams of saturated fat per day.
Too much saturated fat can potentially raise LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk for heart disease.
Four Kinds of Bulletproof Coffee
There are several different recipes for bulletproof coffee.
The recipe you choose will largely depend on your nutrition goals and individual taste preferences.
The Original Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
The original bulletproof coffee recipe includes:
- 1 cup of medium roast coffee
- 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter or ghee
- 1-2 teaspoons of MCT oil (or coconut oil)
Brew the coffee like normal.
When it is ready, pour it into a blender with the measured amounts of butter and oil.
Blend until the drink takes on a thick, foamy texture.
Protein-Packed Bulletproof Coffee
You can also easily add protein to your morning bulletproof coffee to increase its nutrient value.
To do this, simply add a scoop of your preferred protein powder in with the butter, oil, and coffee and blend for 20 to 30 seconds.
Adding protein powder can also alter the flavor of your coffee, giving it a more chocolate or vanilla taste depending on the powder you use.
Collagen powder can be added as an alternative to or in addition to protein powder for an extra dose of amino acids and protein.
Collagen powder is typically tasteless and dissolves easily in liquid, meaning it won’t add flavor to your bulletproof coffee but will dramatically increase the number of vitamins and nutrients you’re getting.
Dessert Bulletproof Coffee
When it comes to making your bulletproof coffee taste like your favorite dessert, the results are endless.
You are limited only by your creativity.
Spices are a huge help in making your coffee taste sweeter or more like a morning pastry.
Adding a sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, or cacao powder into the blender with the traditional ingredients can elevate the coffee’s overall flavor.
Creamy Keto Coffee
On its own, bulletproof coffee has a fairly creamy texture that is reminiscent of a full-fat latte.
However, you can up the creaminess by adding in a dollop of full-fat coconut milk, heavy whipping cream, or any of a variety of flavored keto-friendly creamers.
How to Make Bullet Coffee – Step by Step
Making bulletproof coffee is incredibly simple.
It is also affordable.
Most people have access to the ingredients or have alternatives already in their pantries, as they are considered staples.
Bulletproof Coffee Ingredients
We’ve discussed several different kinds of bulletproof coffee recipes, which can include varying ingredients.
However, traditional bulletproof coffee consists of:
- Coffee beans or ground coffee
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) or coconut oil
- Unsalted, grass-fed butter or ghee
MCT oil can be made from raw coconut oil or palm kernel oil.
Although both oils will do in a pinch, MCT oil is the preferred ingredient because it is 100% MCTs.
This concentrated formula is more beneficial for crushing hunger, increasing energy levels, and aiding in weight loss efforts.
You can buy MCT oil at any grocery, health foods, or vitamins and supplements store.
Ghee is a concentrated form of clarified butter that has long been a popular food in Pakistani and Indian cultures.
With ghee, the water and milk solids present in regular butter have been removed, resulting in a solid butter that has a much higher fat content than regular butter.
For example, 1 tablespoon of ghee has 123 calories and 14 grams of fat.
1 tablespoon of butter has around 100 calories and only 11 grams of fat.
Almost all of the calories in ghee and butter come from their high-fat content.
Instructions for Making Bulletproof Coffee
Making bulletproof coffee is as simple as its ingredient list.
- Brew the coffee as you would normally, which can include adding grounds to a filter in a traditional coffee pot, letting the grounds steep in a french press, or using a pour-over method.
- Once the coffee has been brewed, transfer the liquid to a blender.
- Add the MCT oil (coconut oil) and the ghee (unsalted butter).
- Blend for up to 30 seconds or until the coffee is a lighter color with a thick head of foam.
- Pour into your mug of choice and enjoy!
If you don’t have access to a blender, you could also use an immersion blender or whisk together.
Final Thoughts
Bulletproof coffee is a simple recipe that has taken the world by storm.
Not only are the ingredients easy to find and affordable for most people, but they can also be made and enjoyed in a matter of a couple of minutes.
Overall, bulletproof coffee is a quick way for busy people to get the nutrients they need without partaking in a heavy breakfast full of sugar and carbohydrates.
This keto and paleo-friendly beverage is a sensible addition to your morning routine and may ultimately aid in your efforts for better energy, more stable moods, and weight loss.
