What is Bulletproof Coffee? (Plus a Recipe)

Forget the cream and sugar. Butter is the new cool kid on the block, especially when it comes to your morning coffee.

Bulletproof Coffee, which is coffee with grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil mixed in, was designed by Dave Asprey, owner of Bulletproof Executive, to “supercharge your brain function and create an effortless fat loss with no cravings.”

What is Bulletproof Coffee?

Bulletproof Coffee may be a great way to get healthy fats first thing in the morning. Starting the day with healthy fats provides energy, is good for cognitive function, and supports your hormones.

Butter from grass-fed cows supplies a ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids that are far healthier than butter from conventionally raised livestock. MCT oil is like rocket fuel for the brain and metabolism (research also indicates its anti-aging, helpful for autoimmune conditions and lowering cholesterol. (1))

MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides. It is a concentrated form of fat that is about six times stronger than coconut oil when it comes to feeding your brain. The body makes ketones when breaking down fat, which is a very efficient energy source and provides mental clarity.

So here’s the deal: I am NOT a big fan of coffee. Most of the clients I see have tired adrenals and caffeine, particularly from coffee and black tea, creates negative effects with regard to these precious hormones. The adrenals are responsible for energy levels, endurance and vitality.  Coffee triggers your pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, thus increasing levels of stress in the body. Coffee has also been linked to blood sugar issues and when combined with a sugar filled diet and the Metabolic Syndrome may be the end result. Needless to say, caution must be exercised with regard to caffeine intake. Below are a few tips to help when selecting your “bulletproof coffee brew.”

Espresso is better for you than regular coffee because it has less caffeine is brewed on the spot. Espresso can actually be alkaline forming if you drink it within the first 15 minutes of being brewed.

I recommend drinking Crio Bru, a coffee substitute made of roasted cacao beans. It’s loaded with antioxidants and minerals, with little to no caffeine. The flavor is similar to coffee without the acidity of some other coffee substitutes I’ve tried in the past. Crio Bru was shown to be 5.5 on the litmus scale, consistent with raw cocoa. Coffee is more acidic at 5.0. Crio and coffee are more neutral than beer or any fruit juice and similar to carbonated water (which contains carbonic acid as a result of the dissolved carbon dioxide).

The beauty of bulletproofing is that you can have that coffee shop foam without exposing yourself to low-quality ingredients and your wallet to the coffee shop price gauge.

Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-2 c brewed organic coffee or coffee substitute
• 2 T MCT oil or Brain octane
• 2 T Grass-fed butter or ghee
• 1 t Maca powder 
• 1 t Cacao powder
• ¼ t Ceylon Cinnamon
• 1/8 t Turmeric
• 1/8 t Cayenne
• Option to add: 1 T Collagen

Directions

1. Brew coffee.
2. Add all ingredients (coffee first) into the blender.
3. Blend 30 seconds. Enjoy!

Now I want to hear from you. Have you tried Bulletproof Coffee?? What was your experience? Is there a recipe that you love? Please leave your comment below.

CLICK HERE to Pin this Recipe:

(See this article published for Elephant Journal!)

Sources:1. Babayan, V.K. Medium chain fatty acid esters and their medical and nutritional applications. J Am Oil Chem Soc, 1981, 58: 49A-51A.

Photo Credit: Flame to Fork

Melissa Schollaert is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor and founder of Real Nutritious Living. Helping others achieve their health goals to attain their healthiest, happiest life is her greatest ambition.

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