Benefits and harms of coffee with butter (Bulletproof coffee) and drink recipe

Bulletproof coffee is a high–calorie drink, the main ingredients of which are: coffee, unsalted butter and MST oil (coconut oil). It is used as a fat burner and an alternative to breakfast.

The drink is designed to lose weight and improve performance, however, in some situations, it can not only benefit, but also harm the body.

What is bulletproof coffee?

Bulletproof coffee (Russian Bulletproof coffee) is a coffee–based drink containing a large number of calories and designed 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 of MST oil. MCT (from the English medium-chain triglycerides) is a complex of triacyglycerides with an average chain length. A good available source of MCT is coconut oil.

Originally, the drink was created as an easy-to-prepare alternative to the usual breakfast due to its high calorie content and general toning effect. Over time, the recipe has become a component of one of the most popular diets for controlling and reducing body weight.

The author of the recipe is an American entrepreneur Dave Asprey ( Dave Asprey ), who constantly strives to improve his own life and the lives of the people around him. In 15 years, according to his statements, he managed to lose almost 45 kg of weight and raise his own IQ by 20 points.

The idea of creating bulletproof coffee was born to Dave during a trip to Tibet. The population of the mountainous regions of this small country has been taking "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 remedy that gives  a charge of strength and energy and 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 to the territories of Europe, North and South America.

Mechanism of action

Bulletproof coffee puts the human body into a new mode of operation aimed at burning fat. This process is called ketosis is 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 are by their nature unique sources of energy. The body begins to use them to meet energy needs, destroying a large number of adipose tissue cells. Proven that ketosis has an anorexic effect.

Experiments on rodents conducted by American scientists, demonstrated that ketosis contributes to an overall increase in life expectancy. An increase in survival was observed in all animals, but the course of physiological processes did not change.

It is important to note that this drink helps to reduce body weight in various ways implemented by each component included in the composition:

1. Coffee. Caffeine, according to experts from Germany , causes a decrease in the volume of fat reserves (especially abdominal). The substance also activates the metabolism of substances (accelerates energy consumption) and suppresses hunger. Caffeine is also causes increased content of ketone bodies in blood plasma.
2. Butter. Is rich in vitamins (A, K2, E) and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidant substances (glutathione, superoxide dismutase), which normalize the course of metabolic processes in the body, create "ideal" conditions for the destruction of adipose tissue cells.
3. Oil revenge. Proven that these substances are much more efficiently disposed of 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 cognitive performance ( memory , thinking , associative processes) and allow to improve the general condition against the background of degenerative brain diseases (Alzheimer's or Peak's disease).

There are a number of other benefits of taking Bulletproof coffee:

• Reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their serious complications (only with moderate consumption);
• Prevention of malignant degeneration of body cells;
• Prevention of type II diabetes mellitus (only with moderate consumption);
• Improving mental and physical performance ;
• Activation of attention and thinking ;

The described effects are observed exclusively for several hours after taking the drink.

Drink Recipe

The following ingredients are required for cooking:

• 237-355 ml of hot freshly brewed coffee;
• 2 tbsp. l. (about 28 grams) unsalted organic butter.
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of any MST oil. It is best to give preference to coconut oil.

The recipe is as follows:

1. Combine all the ingredients.
2. Whisk in a blender. It is recommended to beat for 20-30 seconds to get a foamy structure.

The product should be consumed slowly for 5-15 minutes.

There is also a simpler version of the recipe, adapted to the availability of the components. This will require:

• 237-355 ml ml freshly brewed hot coffee;
• 2 tbsp plain butter;
• 1-2 tbsp coconut oil.

The cooking scheme is similar.

How to take it correctly?

The most important advantage of the drink is weight loss. It also increases the level of wakefulness, Improves brain function and physical performance. Positive effects are observed only with moderate consumption (1 time per day, for breakfast).

It is necessary to additionally enrich the first meal with any fruits (banana, apples) and nuts in order to improve the quality of the diet.

It is important to note that there is no evidence base regarding the ratio of beneficial and harmful properties of bulletproof coffee for the human body. Only "single" properties have been proven, on the basis of which it is impossible to present a complete picture.

Before starting to take coffee with ghee, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a specialist can competently weigh all the advantages and risks and make a sound decision regarding the expediency of switching to a similar ketone diet option.

3 harmful properties

Unfortunately, Bulletproof coffee has drawbacks that can call into question the expediency of taking a drink. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. Low volume of nutrients. The drink is strictly forbidden to be used as a partial or complete alternative to the usual diet. It contains extremely few vitamins, macro- and microelements, which are important for the adequate functioning of all body systems.
2. The mass of saturated fats. Convincing data regarding the negative impact of these components not accumulated It is assumed that saturated fats are associated with a slight increase in the incidence of cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.
3. Changing the lipid profile. Foreign specialists found that coffee with butter leads to an increase in of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, reduces the concentration of beneficial lipids with high specific gravity. It is also possible to reduce Arterial wall stability to any influences. The combination of the above effects provokes the earlier development of atherosclerosis with all the ensuing consequences in the future (after 3-15 years): coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and other thrombotic and thromboembolic complications.

The drink also has all the adverse properties due to the presence of caffeine:

1. Anxiety and general irritability. Effects are conditioned the release of adrenaline, which activates the work of all body systems. In rare cases, the development of panic attacks is characteristic, nervousness and irritability.
2. Sleep disturbance. Caffeine is capable of make sleep shallow (a person easily wakes up when exposed to any weak stimuli), as well as shorten it. You can not take a drink later than 5-6 hours before going to bed.
3. Disorders of the digestive tract. Caffeine provokes the development of gastritis, GERD, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. Accelerates the motility of the large intestine, which is manifested by diarrhea.
4. Increased fatigue. Hyperstimulation of the body leads to the development of habituation to a new mode of functioning. If you abruptly stop consuming a drink (for example, the next day), you may develop fatigue , drowsiness, of depression , lack of interest in the outside world.
5. Addiction. Caffeine changes secretion of various mediators at the brain level. Over time, such phenomena acquire a "necessary" character, which is fraught with development Caffeine addiction . Abrupt cancellation of bulletproof coffee can lead to multiple manifestations of withdrawal syndrome.

It is necessary to carefully consider the range of side effects and contraindications, as well as consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Thus, bulletproof coffee is a popular drink with a high content of saturated fats, designed to replace breakfast. It has advantages (weight loss, increased physical and mental performance), but it is not without disadvantages (some are observed even with moderate consumption): an increase in cholesterol levels and the development of atherosclerosis, impaired functioning of the digestive system, sleep disorders, etc.

Before taking it, it is necessary to carefully assess the condition of the body by consulting a doctor.