Keto Coffee: Butter Options And Their Benefits

Keto coffee is a popular drink that combines coffee, butter, and MCT or coconut oil. It is said to boost your metabolism and energy levels, but these effects have yet to be proven. The drink is often consumed in place of breakfast by those following a keto diet, which is high in fat and low in carbs.

The main benefit of keto coffee is its potential to provide long-lasting satiety and energy. The fat in the butter and MCT or coconut oil slows digestion, which may increase feelings of fullness and provide a slower release of caffeine. This can result in a more sustained feeling of energy. Additionally, MCTs are rapidly broken down and absorbed by the body, providing an instant energy source or turning into ketones that can help boost energy levels over a longer period.

When making keto coffee, it is recommended to use grass-fed, unsalted butter to maximise the nutritional benefits. The coffee can be brewed using a variety of methods, such as a French press, Keurig coffee machine, or drip machine. The butter and MCT or coconut oil are then added, with suggested amounts ranging from one teaspoon to one tablespoon per 6-8 ounces of coffee. These ingredients are blended together, creating a creamy latte-like drink with a foamy top.

What is keto coffee?

Keto coffee is a drink consisting of brewed coffee, unsalted butter, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), an easily digested type of fat. It is commonly used in intermittent fasting and is often consumed in place of breakfast by those following a keto diet.

How to Make Keto Coffee

To make keto coffee, brew about 1 cup (8–12 ounces or 237–355 ml) of coffee. Then, add 1–2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter or ghee (a type of clarified butter lower in lactose) and 1–2 tablespoons of MCT oil or coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients in a blender for 20–30 seconds until it resembles a foamy latte.

Benefits of Keto Coffee

Keto coffee is said to provide several benefits, although more research is needed to confirm them. First, it may boost energy and focus. The MCTs in keto coffee are rapidly broken down and absorbed by the body, providing an instant energy source or turned into ketones, which can help boost energy levels over a longer period. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee is known to increase alertness and focus.

Second, keto coffee may aid weight loss by suppressing hunger. The high amount of fat in butter coffee slows digestion and increases feelings of fullness. The MCTs in butter coffee, in particular, have been found to promote greater feelings of fullness compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) found in other high-fat foods.

Third, keto coffee may support ketosis. While there is no evidence that it can help reach ketosis quicker, it can provide additional fuel in the form of ketones for those already in ketosis.

Downsides of Keto Coffee

While keto coffee is a popular drink, it is not a balanced way to start the day. Replacing a nutritious breakfast with keto coffee can displace important nutrients, and drinking it in addition to breakfast adds a significant number of unnecessary calories. Additionally, the high amount of fat in keto coffee can cause stomach discomfort and other gastrointestinal issues, especially if you are not used to consuming high amounts of fat. Finally, keto coffee contains a significant amount of cholesterol, which may negatively impact the cholesterol levels of those who are cholesterol hyper-responders.

How to make keto coffee

Keto coffee is a great alternative to a typical breakfast, providing plenty of energy and a feeling of fullness throughout the morning.

Ingredients:

• Brewed coffee
• Unsalted butter (or ghee)
• MCT oil (or coconut oil)
• (Optional) Heavy whipping cream
• (Optional) Vanilla extract
• (Optional) Unsweetened almond milk
• (Optional) Collagen protein powder
• (Optional) Keto coffee syrup

Method:

• Brew 8-12 fl oz of coffee.
• Add 1-2 tbsp of butter.
• Add 1 tsp of MCT oil.
• (Optional) Add 1/2 cup of almond milk, 1 tbsp of collagen protein powder, and 1 tbsp of keto coffee syrup.
• Blend all ingredients for 5-30 seconds until frothy and smooth.
• Pour into a mug and serve immediately.

Tips:

• If you don't have a blender, you can use a milk frother or immersion blender to emulsify the ingredients.
• If you are making iced keto coffee, use ghee instead of butter and pour the coffee over ice after blending.
• If you are dairy-free, you can substitute almond milk with a dairy-free creamer.

The benefits of keto coffee

Keto coffee is a popular drink that contains brewed coffee, butter, and MCT or coconut oil. It is said to boost your metabolism and energy levels, but these effects have yet to be proven. Here are some of the benefits of keto coffee:

Fat Loss

The consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) has been linked to greater losses in adipose tissue (fat tissue) in both animals and humans. MCT oil is just more concentrated than coconut oil, but both have been shown to aid in fat loss.

More Energy

Studies have shown that the rapid rate of oxidation in MCFAs (Medium-Chain Fatty Acids) leads to an increase in energy expenditure. MCFAs are converted into ketones, which are absorbed differently in the body compared to regular oils and provide more overall energy.

Heart Health

The myth that saturated fat increases the chance of Coronary Heart Disease has been debunked. Recent studies show that saturated fats can actually have a positive effect on your overall heart health.

Sustained Energy Boost

Keto coffee takes the energy boost from regular coffee to another level. MCTs are one of the most bioavailable sources of energy, particularly C8 MCT (also known as caprylic acid). Due to their short molecular structure, C8 MCTs are instantly converted into ketones by the liver to become a source of fuel.

Increased Focus

Keto coffee can help improve cognitive function and increase focus. Grass-fed butter offers a healthy dose of omega-3, an essential fatty acid known for its cognitive-enhancing functions. MCTs in your brew also help to boost cognitive performance by offering your brain another rich serving of concentration-improving fatty acids.

Decreased Cravings

Keto coffee can help suppress hunger and decrease cravings. Coffee is known to suppress hunger, while the healthy fats from grass-fed butter and MCTs can help you feel fuller for longer. Each cup of keto coffee offers about 30 grams of fat to help suppress your body's production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone.

The downsides of keto coffee

Keto coffee is a popular drink that contains coffee, butter, and MCT or coconut oil. It's said to boost your metabolism and energy levels, but these effects have yet to be proven. While it may benefit those on a ketogenic diet, there are several healthier ways to start your day. Here are some potential downsides of keto coffee:

Lack of Nutrients:

Keto coffee is not a balanced meal and lacks many essential nutrients. Replacing a nutritious breakfast with keto coffee means missing out on protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A more nutritious breakfast option would be two scrambled eggs with spinach, along with oatmeal with flaxseed and berries.

High in Saturated Fat:

Keto coffee is very high in saturated fat, which may be harmful in large doses. Most dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat intake. If you're concerned about high cholesterol levels or the potential health risks associated with saturated fat, consider limiting or avoiding keto coffee.

May Raise Cholesterol Levels:

Butter and ketogenic diets high in saturated fat may increase cholesterol levels and other heart disease risk factors in some individuals. If you have elevated cholesterol levels, you may want to avoid keto coffee.

Gastrointestinal Issues:

The high amount of fat in keto coffee can cause stomach discomfort and other gastrointestinal issues like bloating and diarrhea, especially if you're not used to consuming high amounts of fat.

High Calories:

Keto coffee is high in calories and dietary fat. While it can be a good source of vitamin A, it's not a good source of other nutrients. If you're watching your calorie intake, this may not be the best option for you.

Potential Cholesterol Concerns:

Although dietary cholesterol doesn't affect most people, about 25% of individuals are cholesterol hyper-responders, meaning their blood cholesterol levels are significantly impacted by high-cholesterol foods. If you're in this category, it's best to avoid keto coffee.

Keto coffee recipes

Keto coffee, also known as Bulletproof Coffee, is a blend of coffee, butter or ghee, and either coconut oil or MCT oil. The drink is popular among those following a keto diet, who often consume it in place of breakfast.

How to Make Keto Coffee

To make keto coffee, you will need the following ingredients:

• Brewed coffee (8-12 ounces)
• 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter or ghee
• 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil or coconut oil
• Optional: 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and/or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for 20-30 seconds until the mixture resembles a foamy latte. If you don't have a blender, you can use a milk frother or immersion blender instead.

Benefits of Keto Coffee

Proponents of keto coffee claim that it provides several health benefits, including:

• Increased feelings of fullness and appetite suppression, which may aid weight loss
• Boosted energy and mental focus
• Support for ketosis by providing additional fuel in the form of ketones

Downsides of Keto Coffee

However, it is important to note that keto coffee is not a balanced meal and may displace important nutrients if consumed in place of breakfast. It is also very high in saturated fat and calories, which may be concerning for those watching their weight or with high cholesterol.

If you wish to try keto coffee, be sure to maintain a balanced diet throughout the rest of your day by filling up on extra protein, fruits, and vegetables, and reducing your fat intake at other meals.

Frequently asked questions