Coffee and butter: how to choose the right products
I'm a big coffee drinker in the morning, especially if I have time to brew it in a Turkish coffee pot. Not long ago, I came across information that my invigorating drink and butter with a loaf are the ideal combination for losing extra centimeters.
After reading more, I realized that I should exclude the crispiest part from the chain – the bun, but otherwise I’m on the right track. That is, the formula is almost the same, only instead of bread we throw butter directly into the coffee. And we give the bun to a slimmer family member.
It turns out that throughout the starry world, a coffee-butter breakfast or snack has long been practiced, and we, unknowingly, continue to smear butter on everything that crumbles, in the hope of fitting into jeans (or just having fun).
Jokes aside, but in reality the combination of these products helps you lose weight, satisfy your hunger and feel energetic from morning until lunch. You just need to choose the right ingredients for breakfast.
The drink should be prepared from high-quality grains, preferably freshly ground. Take proven and favorite brands: they have a pleasant taste and proven action. It is better to abandon the already ground version. The most benefits are in those grains that you just ground for yourself.
Not just any oil will do either. First, you will need two types:
- Creamy,
- Coconut.
You can replace it with other options to suit your taste, but there must be a combination of vegetable and animal fats.
Choose butter without salt, of the best quality and maximum fat (more than 72% fat content). The herbal supplement should also be pure, cold-pressed and fresh (lucky if you live somewhere tropical).
You can take, for example, cocoa butter, ghee. I think the combination of cream and coconut is the most delicious, but you may well think differently. Naturally, you don’t need to add any sugar or other ingredients.
What is bulletproof coffee?
Bulletproof coffee (Russian: Bulletproof coffee) is a coffee-based drink containing a large number of calories and intended to replace breakfast. The classic recipe consists of the following ingredients mixed in a blender:
- 1 cup of coffee, volume 237-355 ml.
- 2 tbsp. l. or 28 grams of unsalted organic butter.
- 1-2 tbsp. l. or 15-30 ml MCT oil. MCT (from the English medium-chain triglycerides) is a complex of triacyglycerides with a medium chain length. A good affordable source of MCTs is coconut oil.
Initially, the drink was created as an easy-to-prepare alternative to the usual breakfast due to its high calorie content and general tonic effect. Over time, the recipe became a component of one of the popular diets for weight control and loss.
The author of the recipe is American entrepreneur Dave Asprey, who constantly strives to improve his own life and the lives of those around him. For 15 years, according to him, he managed to lose almost 45 kg of weight and raise his own IQ by 20 points.
Dave got the idea for “bulletproof coffee” during a trip to Tibet. The population of the mountainous regions of this small country has been drinking “bulletproof tea” for many years, the main ingredients of which are tea leaves, salt and butter from yak milk. Inspired by this idea, Dave came up with his own drink recipe.
The result is an amazing product that gives a boost of strength and energy and is effective for weight loss. A year later, he opened his own coffee shop in Los Angeles, where he sold this drink. Over time, the product gained wide popularity and spread throughout Europe, North and South America.
Bulletproof coffee is a unique high-calorie invigorating drink that can serve as an alternative to breakfast.
How it works
Agree, mixing such products is not much like a diet. Grains can still be suspected of activating metabolism, but animal and vegetable fat are little associated with weight loss. However, it works, and not only for Hollywood stars.
It turns out that such a drink is common among the inhabitants of Tibet . It is considered almost the main source of strength, health and vigor. By the way, foreign nutritionists call this mixture Bulletproof, which means “bulletproof.” Next you will understand why mixing the two components causes such an effect.
Well, with coffee, everything seems to be clear. He is a source of cheerfulness, strength, and for some, a good mood. I know real cases when, without a morning ritual, people had headaches and irritability, although that’s another story...
In addition, caffeine and the minerals and amino acids contained in the beans trigger metabolism and remove excess moisture from the body. Women are recommended to drink a cup a day.
Natural fats of plant and animal origin help satisfy hunger, compensate for the lack of Omega-3 fats, vitamin D and much more.
Nutritional value of coffee with butter
A standard cup of coffee (240 ml) with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of butter contains (1):
- Calorie content: 445 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Total fat: 50 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sodium: 9% of recommended daily intake (RDI)
- Vitamin A: 20% of RDA
Almost 85% of the fat in this drink is saturated fat.
Although some studies have linked saturated fat to an increase in heart disease risk factors, such as high LDL cholesterol, research suggests that saturated fat does not directly lead to heart disease (2, 3, 4).
However, the amount of saturated fat in one serving of buttered coffee is excessive.
Research shows that replacing some of the saturated fats in your diet with polyunsaturated fats may reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include nuts, seeds, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, or tuna (5).
In addition to its high fat content, this drink contains other important nutrients, namely vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for healthy skin, immune function, and good vision (6).
Although butter coffee also contains small amounts of calcium, vitamins K and E, and several B vitamins, it is not a good source of these nutrients.
Summary:
Coffee with butter is high in calories and dietary fat. It is a good source of vitamin A, but it is not a good source of other nutrients.
Beneficial features
But the most important thing is that together these ingredients give a bulletproof effect (that is, Bulletproof), and here's why:
- Charge of vivacity and energy,
- Launch of metabolic processes,
- Saturation of the body with the daily norm of fats,
- The brain (and you with it) wakes up,
- Satiety for 4-6 hours,
- Great snack when you have nothing else
- You can take it with you anywhere (by the way, many Western and American coffee shops already make this drink, but you won’t find this in our country yet).
The result is a nutritious and energizing mixture - real armored coffee (another name for coffee with butter). Drank and ready to perform feats!
Potential harms of coffee with butter
It's important to note that coffee with butter is not a balanced way to start your day.
Replacing a nutrient-dense breakfast with this drink displaces many important nutrients. Additionally, drinking this drink in addition to a typical breakfast likely adds a significant amount of unnecessary calories.
Considering that all the calories in the drink come from fat, you're missing out on other health-promoting nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
A two-egg omelette with spinach and a 1-ounce serving of oatmeal with flaxseed and berries are more nutritious meals that will benefit your energy and health more than a serving of coffee with butter.
The large amount of fat in this drink can also cause stomach discomfort and other gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea, especially if you are not used to consuming large amounts of fat.
In addition, coffee with butter contains a significant amount of cholesterol. Fortunately, dietary cholesterol does not greatly affect cholesterol levels in most people (26).
However, approximately 25% of people are considered cholesterol hyperresponders—meaning that foods high in cholesterol significantly increase blood cholesterol levels (26, 27, 28).
People who are hypersensitive to cholesterol should avoid coffee with butter.
Summary:
By drinking buttery coffee instead of a balanced, nutritious breakfast, you're missing out on many important nutrients like protein and fiber. This drink is also high in fat, which may cause side effects such as diarrhea in some people.
How to cook properly
All that remains is to find out how to make armored coffee and not overdo it with the ingredients, since an extra spoonful of some product can swing the pendulum in the wrong direction (for example, increase blood pressure above normal or add kilograms; the drink is, after all, quite fatty and high in calories). You can watch the video recipe above, just skip the point about whipped cream.
All calculations are based on one standard 250 ml .
- Take fresh ground grains (two level tablespoons) and mix with water.
- Cook in the usual way.
- Separately mix 20 grams of each type of oil.
- Mix the products and beat with a blender for 30 seconds (gives special airiness and makes foam).
- Pour into a cup and enjoy.
The most difficult thing in this recipe is not to add anything extra to the table: sugar, jams, buns. The drink is high in calories - about 400 kcal , so replace one meal with it (although you won’t want to eat it for a long time).
Drink recipe
For preparation you will need the following ingredients:
- 237-355 ml hot freshly brewed coffee;
- 2 tbsp. l. (about 28 grams) unsalted organic butter.
- 1-2 tbsp. l. (15-30 ml) of any MCT oil. It is best to give preference to coconut oil.
The recipe is as follows:
- Combine all ingredients.
- Beat in a blender. It is recommended to whip for 20-30 seconds to obtain a foamy structure.
The product should be consumed slowly over 5-15 minutes.
There is also a simpler version of the recipe, adapted to the availability of the ingredients. To do this you will need:
- 237-355 ml ml freshly brewed hot coffee;
- 2 tbsp. l. regular butter;
- 1-2 tbsp. l. coconut oil.
The preparation scheme is similar.
Making the drink is quite simple at home. You should choose only high-quality natural ingredients, avoid various chemical additives and other substances that can cause harm to the body.
Who shouldn't drink
It would seem that we have before us a more than natural mixture, but it also has its contraindications. You should not switch to the mixture if:
- You are allergic to any of the components;
- You are pregnant or nursing (in many countries, all caffeine-containing products are prohibited for expectant mothers);
- If you have problems with blood pressure, blood vessels, stomach;
- Children under 16 years of age should also not be allowed to try the liquid;
- Hyperexcitability;
- Incompatibility with medications (read the instructions for your medications).
If you find any of these points, choose alternative ways to lose centimeters.
What kind of dishes are they used to cook in?
For preparation, use a cezve or an ordinary Turk. The choice of material is approached carefully. The most practical container is made of metal. It is not able to spoil the taste of a Turkish drink made from stainless steel or silver. When using a copper container, you need to pay attention to the internal coating. It must be made of special tin, otherwise the aroma and taste of the espresso will be spoiled by copper.
You can use a clay vessel, which greatly enhances the pleasant coffee aroma. But such a Turk has a big drawback. Only one type of coffee is brewed in it, which was added when first used. Otherwise, different notes will mix and the taste of the drink will be spoiled.
Espresso prepared in ceramic pots has the most amazing taste and aroma. But such a container is very fragile, so it is necessary to cook it over low heat.
When choosing a cezve, pay close attention to the handle. It should be attached as tightly as possible to the vessel and located at an angle to it.
A few more rules
Bronekoffee is an assistant in the fight against excess weight, and not a complete solution to the problem. There is no point in drowning it out with glasses and waiting for the centimeters to go away by itself. Without diet and exercise, no changes will happen. I wrote in previous posts how to make your diet healthier and more varied.
It's best to drink Bulletproof in the morning, when you need energy and strength the most. The rest of the diet should be rich in vitamins and fiber. Don't get carried away with the drink - one cup a day is enough.
Be prepared that the coffee will be greasy and unusual. Not everyone finds love the first time. If it doesn't suit you, it's okay. I have many more options in stock on how to drink (or eat) something and lose weight.
Mechanism of action
Bulletproof coffee switches the human body into a new mode of operation aimed at burning fat. This process is called ketosis - a state of carbohydrate starvation of cells, in which fat begins to actively break down with the formation of a larger number of ketone bodies.
Ketones by their nature are unique sources of energy. The body begins to use them to meet energy needs, destroying a large number of adipose tissue cells. Ketosis has been shown to have anorectic effects.
Experiments on rodents conducted by American scientists demonstrated that ketosis contributes to an overall increase in life expectancy. An increase in survival rate was observed in all animals, but the course of physiological processes did not change.
It is important to note that this drink helps reduce body weight in various ways, implemented by each component included in the composition:
- Coffee. Caffeine, according to experts from Germany, causes a decrease in fat reserves (especially abdominal fat). The substance also activates the metabolism of substances (accelerates energy consumption) and suppresses hunger. Caffeine also causes an increase in the content of ketone bodies in the blood plasma.
- Butter. Rich in vitamins (A, K2, E) and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidant substances (glutathione, superoxide dismutase), which normalize metabolic processes in the body and create “ideal” conditions for the destruction of adipose tissue cells.
- MCT oils. It has been proven that these substances are much more efficiently utilized by the body, cause a feeling of satiety and reduce the rate of body weight gain (due to the extremely high rate of destruction of adipocytes). Ketones also improve the cognitive sphere (memory, thinking, associative processes) and can improve the general condition against the background of degenerative brain diseases (Alzheimer's or Pick's disease).
There are a number of other benefits of taking Bulletproof coffee:
- reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their dangerous complications (only with moderate consumption);
- prevention of malignant degeneration of body cells;
- prevention of type II diabetes mellitus (only with moderate consumption);
- increasing mental and physical performance;
- activation of attention and thinking;
The described effects are observed exclusively within a few hours from the moment of taking the drink.
Thus, Bulletproof Coffee puts the body into a state of ketosis - the physiological process of breaking down fat cells to meet energy needs. As a result, a wide range of positive effects are observed, one of which is weight loss.
Maintain balance
If you want to try and love butter coffee, be sure to strike a balance.
To keep your diet nutritious, don't forget to add more protein, fruits and vegetables. You should also reduce your fat intake at other meals—unless you're following a keto diet—and maintain a balanced fat intake for the rest of the day.
This drink is high in saturated fat, so throughout the day, try to choose sources of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds and fatty fish.
If you're following a ketogenic diet, keep in mind that there are many very nutrient-dense dishes that are keto-friendly, such as eggs, avocados, and spinach cooked in coconut oil. To provide your body with nutrients, you can consume them instead of coffee with butter.
Summary:
If you drink butter coffee for breakfast, make sure you eat foods rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats throughout the day. In addition, try to increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and protein-rich foods at other meals.
Summarize
- Butter coffee is a popular drink that contains coffee, butter and MCT or coconut oil.
- It is said to speed up your metabolism and increase your energy levels, but these effects have yet to be proven.
- While this drink may benefit those following a ketogenic diet, there are some healthier ways to start your day.
The article was prepared by experts for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a guide for treating medical conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of illness or any symptoms, you should always consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
Tags: Coffee, Butter
About the author: Alexander Fedorov
Candidate of Biological Sciences, biologist, nutrition expert. Graduated from Stavropol State University with a degree in Biology at the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry.
- Related Posts
- What are the benefits of apple juice? Benefits and harm to the body
- Instant coffee: health benefits and harms
- What is banana tea and is it worth trying?
« Previous entry