Why do people put butter and coconut oil in their coffee?

It seems that coffee drinkers worldwide are adding all sorts of things to their coffee these days – butter, ghee, fancy syrups, cacao, dairy alternatives, protein powders, liqueurs and more.

But have you ever tried adding coconut oil to your morning cup of coffee? Some people do this as part of the paleo diet or the ketogenic diet. Butter coffee or Bulletproof coffee, which countless keto disciples love, contains coffee, butter and coconut oil or MCT oil.

Coconut oil can help you achieve and maintain the desired metabolic state of ketosis as it is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). It is effortless to create a smooth, simple, tasty coffee without using any butter.

And you don’t need to be religiously following one of the diets mentioned above to enjoy a little coconut oil in your coffee. You may choose to do it merely for a change or because it tastes good.

But there are also some potential health benefits worth knowing.

Contents

• Benefits of Coconut Oil in Coffee
• The Downside of Coconut Oil in Coffee
• How to Make Coconut Oil Coffee
• The Final Word on Coconut Oil in Coffee
• Author

Benefits of Coconut Oil in Coffee

Research shows that there are several health benefits associated with adding coconut oil to your favourite coffee drink. Coconut oil contains antioxidants and, according to the Harvard Health Letter, it can help boost HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol, perhaps helping lower the risk of heart disease.

It can also curb the appetite, helping you avoid those pesky cravings that can sabotage your diet resolutions.  It may help the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, calcium and magnesium.

It can aid digestion, acting as a lubricant. And, along with coffee, it may also boost your mental alertness and your energy levels, without the corresponding crash that comes from consuming too much sugar.

As explained on WebMD, coconut oil contains lauric acid so that it boosts the immune system – and who doesn’t want that during these pandemic days? Coconut oil is rapidly metabolized because it is easily absorbed, and lauric acid is easily transported.

Most ingested lauric acid goes directly to the liver where it converts to energy rather than being stored as fat.  On top of all that, coconut oil, though it won’t whiten your teeth, may contribute to good oral health because of its antibacterial properties.

That’s something to smile about. So, there are many good reasons why you might like to try adding some coconut oil to your cup of joe.

The Downside of Coconut Oil in Coffee

The good news is that the purported benefits seem to outweigh the risks. But it is, of course, always important to be aware of the potential side effects of anything you are consuming.

In the case of coconut oil, there are some things to watch out for. Though it may taste pretty good and be an increasingly popular choice these days, coconut oil is also relatively high in calories and saturated fats.

It contains more fat than other non-dairy options, so be sure not to overdo it.  It’s probably best to limit your intake to no more than two tablespoons (30 ml) per day.

Too much too soon may reportedly cause nausea, stomach upset, headaches or other allergic reactions. So proceed with a little caution.

How to Make Coconut Oil Coffee

• If you decide to add some coconut oil to your coffee, using a blender or a food processor to blend it rather than just stirring it in is much better as it makes it frothy and prevents the oil from rising to the top of the drink. 
• Blend it for around 20-30 seconds until the drink is a lovely light brown color. 
• You can stir the oil into your drink, or pour the coffee onto the coconut oil. It just may not be quite as frothy and creamy.

Organic coconut oil is always the best option and preferably virgin coconut oil that is cold-pressed and unrefined. I personally like the Nutiva and the Kirkland brands, but there are many options out there.

Beware of partially hydrogenated coconut oil, which is similar to other processed oils containing trans fats. Virgin coconut oil is extracted without the use of chemicals and tends not to be bleached or deodorized like some oils, so that’s also something to consider.

Try your drink first to see if you like it. You may want to add a little sweetener according to your taste, such as stevia, raw honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, or gelatin.

Other options to spice the coffee up a bit include a little ginger, cinnamon or cayenne. Some people like to add peppermint, nutmeg, or my favourite, good quality dark chocolate.

This healthy, tasty addition is not just for hot coffee. You can also add a little coconut oil to your cup of tea, if you so desire, and to any of your favourite cold brews or smoothies.

The Final Word on Coconut Oil in Coffee

So, coffee and coconut oil go quite well together. Give it a go and see if you like the tropical, mellow, slightly nutty taste. After all, lots of coffee drinkers swear by it. Perhaps it’s more than just another health fad. 

Frankly, if it helps me with weight loss, gives me an energy boost, makes me less grumpy or helps me avoid getting hangry, I’ll give it a whirl. Coffee alone is already thought to have some serious health benefits.

Couple that with a little coconut oil and you might be off to the races!

Author

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  Mel Farrimond

  Mel Farrimond loves all kinds of writing: creative, academic, freelancing, and blogging. She has her own blog, The MONDAY Blog at www.themondayblog.com, covering music, oeuvres, news, dining, art and yoga.

  What does putting coconut oil in coffee do?

  Coconut oil has become increasingly popular among people following the high-fat, very-low-carb ketogenic diet. Adding it to your coffee can help you reach or maintain ketosis, a metabolic state in which your body uses ketones — molecules produced from fat breakdown — as fuel instead of glucose, a type of sugar ( 1 ).

  What does putting butter in your coffee do for you?

  Not only does mixing butter in your coffee provide your body with all of these essential nutrients your body needs to thrive, but it also keeps you fuller longer, reduces jitters and crashes, provides a slower, more sustained energy high, and kicks the body into fat-burning drive first thing in the morning.

  What is coffee with butter and coconut oil called?

  This bulletproof coffee (also known as butter coffee, MCT coffee, or keto coffee) is just regular coffee, but with added fat. It's very popular in the keto and paleo communities. The fat gives you a feeling of fullness and can promote ketosis. It tastes great and gives you long-lasting energy.

  Does coconut oil in coffee help lose weight?

  Does coconut oil in coffee help you lose weight? Coconut oil can help to boost your metabolism, so it can help you burn more calories and aid with weight loss. It's also more effective than other fats to satiate your hunger, so a cup in the morning can help you avoid snacking before lunch.