Bulletproof Coffee – The State of High Performance

About Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof sells coffee, MCT oils, protein bars and supplements. Its flagship product, Bulletproof Coffee, is a morning health drink that utilizes high-quality ingredients to encourage peak productivity and body efficiency throughout the day. Bulletproof Coffee uses natural ingredients and is a healthier alternative to some meal replacement options on the market today.

What Is Bulletproof Coffee?

Bulletproof Coffee is a trademarked butter coffee recipe (and brand) by entrepreneur and Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey. Making a cup of Bulletproof Coffee involves blending 1 cup of coffee brewed with Bulletproof ground coffee, unsalted grass-fed butter or ghee, and a Bulletproof-branded supplement called Brain Octane Oil, which is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil derived from coconut oil. The result is what the company calls “an energizing, high-performance drink” that’s meant to be consumed in place of breakfast.

Using Bulletproof’s recipe, your cup of coffee can range anywhere from 140 calories up to as high as 500 calories depending on how much Brain Octane Oil and butter you use, explains Turoff.

A true Bulletproof Coffee requires using Bulletproof-branded ingredients, but you can also make a similar butter coffee drink by combining other brands of coffee with grass-fed butter or ghee and MCT oil.

Pros

• Increased energy
• Quality coffee beans
• Keto-friendly

Cons

• Expensive
• High in saturated fat

Bulletproof Coffee is a meal replacement drink made with coffee, MCT oil and grass-fed, unsalted butter. It’s high in saturated fat, which can increase cholesterol, but the keto-friendly drink helps some dieters lose weight.

Bulletproof Coffee Product Overview

Is there a way to stay energetic even when on a diet that requires you to take a limited number of calories? The Bulletproof coffee is a drink rich in coffee and saturated fats and is meant to provide a replacement for your breakfast meal.

The idea behind it is to provide you with a drink that’s not only filling but also energy-inducing. It comprises three components as follows:

• Coffee — 2 Cups (equivalent to 470 ml)
• Unsalted Butter — 2 Tablespoons (28 grams)
• MCT Oil — 2 Tablespoons (30 ml)

The drink provides you with lots of fat with the objective of curbing your appetite and restocking your energy reserves after a long night. Of course, it also contains medium roast coffee Arabica which as you know is a stimulant.

According to the company behind it, it’s the quality of these three ingredients that makes the whole product special. While it’s possible to find these ingredients in nearby stores, it isn’t possible to ascertain that their quality standards will help meet its intended objectives.

For instance, while it’s possible to buy coffee from Walmart, it’s not possible to guarantee that such coffee is mold-free. That’s why Dave Asprey encourages folks to insist on finding quality ingredients at all costs.

How to make Bulletproof Coffee

There are different versions of Bulletproof Coffee (or tea), but all involve mixing a caffeinated beverage with rich sources of fat like butter, ghee, and oil. It was popularized by biohacker and entrepreneur Dave Asprey, who credits it with fueling his high-intensity lifestyle.

I prefer to drink eight ounces of hot (but not scalding) coffee, mixed with a tablespoon of butter and half a teaspoon of coconut oil (This is the raw material for MCT oil. It’s significantly cheaper, and I haven’t notice a difference in benefits).

Bulletproof Coffee, the trend of blending freshly brewed coffee with butter from grass-fed cows and MCT oil, is one of the rare diet fads I actually like as a nutrition reporter.

Fans say the drink can boost energy and focus, reduce caffeine crashes, and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. Bulletproof coffee isn’t for everyone; one Insider reporter who previously tried it didn’t notice a difference in drinking it from consuming regular coffee. There’s also mixed evidence behind some of reported benefits.

Health, diet, and lifestyle benefits of bulletproof coffee

Drinking coffee in moderation has a range of health benefitsTrusted Source and may reduce the risk of death from heart disease and several cancers. Drinking coffee may also lower the likelihood of developing conditions, such as liver disease, Parkinson’s disease, and type 2 diabetes. However, the reasons for these health benefits need further research.

Coffee in the morning can improve mental focus and help a person to feel more awake and alert. This effect usually lasts for a maximum of a few hours.

The bulletproof coffee recipe uses a coconut-derived MCT oil. MCT oil contains a medium-length chain of triglyceride fats. The shorter the chain of fats, the more quickly the body can break them down.

A 2015 review of scientific evidence found that MCTs may be more useful for weight loss than long-chain fats, which most other fats and oils contain. However, the authors concluded that there is not enough research to determine whether MCTs are safe and effective as a food supplement.

The ketogenic diet

Usually, the body converts carbohydrates into energy before using fat. If there are not enough carbohydrates available, then the body uses its fat stores as an alternative source of energy. When the body uses its fat reserves, it produces ketones.

A ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Promoters of bulletproof coffee claim that it fits into a ketogenic eating plan because it contains fat but no carbohydrates, and the body converts MCT oil into ketones.

However, there is currently a lack of scientific research into the potential health benefits and risks of the ketogenic diet.

Type 2 diabetes

Some studies state that a low-carbohydrate diet may be beneficial for some people with type 2 diabetesTrusted Source.

A low-carbohydrate diet may help a person with diabetes to:

• reduce their risk of heart attack or heart disease
• lose weight if needed
• lower their blood sugar level

Doctors usually recommend following a low-carbohydrate diet for a short time only.

Reducing hunger

One of the reasons for drinking bulletproof coffee is to prevent hunger during the morning. Adding butter and oil to coffee may make a person feel less hungry than if they drank coffee alone. Everyone is different, but some people may still feel hungry during the morning if they have not eaten a meal for breakfast.

Downsides of bulletproof coffee

The American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source recommend people limit the amount of saturated fat in their diet. The organization state that only 5 to 6 percent of calories should come from saturated fat, which is around 13 grams (g) of saturated fat per day.

According to the United States Department of AgricultureTrusted Source, 1 tbsp of unsalted butter contains around 7 g of saturated fatty acids. A bulletproof coffee can contain 2 tbsp of butter. This totals 14 g of saturated fatty acids, which is more than the AHA’s recommended daily allowance.

Consuming large amounts of saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in the blood. High cholesterol increases a person’s risk for stroke and heart disease.

However, not all saturated fats are the same. Although high in saturated fat, MCTs may be more healthfulTrusted Source than long-chain fats.

The idea is to drink bulletproof coffee as an alternative to breakfast. However, replacing a meal with a drink can leave a person short of the nutrients they need each day.

Bulletproof coffee does not contain the right balance of essential nutrients. Coffee, oil, and butter do not contain carbohydrates, protein, fiber, or many of the other vitamins and minerals that a person needs. Choosing a breakfast that includes a balance of nutrients is a more healthful way to start the day.

The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend including carbohydrates, protein, and fruits or vegetables in a breakfast meal. Some people may choose to have a hot drink rather than food first thing in the morning. However, a homemade smoothie can be a healthier option than skipping breakfast altogether. Try blending fruit, a few berries, and a banana with milk.

Losing weight with Bulletproof Coffee

The company claims that dieters can lose up to a pound per day with Bulletproof Coffee combined with a high-fat, low-carb diet and intermittent fasting. This diet is similar to the ketogenic diet and is designed to hack the body to make it function optimally.

On the Bulletproof Coffee diet, you start the day off with MCT oil and butter. MCT oil contains high levels of omega-3s, which are supposed to help with inflammation, gut health and energy levels. All of these things together combine to help people effectively lose weight.

Where to buy Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof Coffee can be bought on the company’s website, from Amazon and at retailers across the nation like Walmart and Hy-Vee. On Bulletproof Coffee’s site, customers can subscribe to receive Bulletproof products regularly and save 10%.

With Bulletproof coffee, I have fewer caffeine crashes or jitters
The main reason I add butter to my coffee is that I like the taste. I’m not a sweet coffee person, and this is a fun treat, especially with a flavored coffee like butter rum.

I also feel like I get the benefits of caffeine with fewer side effects.

I’m a daily coffee drinker, and while I’m generally pretty good at pacing myself, I sometimes overdo it on the caffeine when I’m sleepy or stressed. That means instead of feeling alert and productive, I end up getting sweaty and distracted. Too much caffeine for me also tends to lead to a crash a few hours later.

Since I naturally have lower energy in the afternoons, feeling groggy as my morning coffee wears off is the last thing I want.

I don’t see it as a substitute for a good breakfast

Swapping out Bulletproof Coffee for breakfast on a busy day is useful, but not as a permanent part of my routine.

I almost always have a healthy breakfast and lunch. For me, that means plenty of protein from eggs, Greek yogurt, or beans, as well as fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains.

When I don’t do this, I find that my mood and energy levels immediately suffer. I’m less focused and more likely to get sleepy or distracted at work.

I like Bulletproof Coffee best in moderation

I drink Bulletproof Coffee about once a month or so. But it’s not a magic replacement for planning and prepping healthy whole foods for most of my meals.

I haven’t experienced any of the side effects potentially linked to Bulletproof Coffee, such as digestive issues, either.

If you want to try it yourself, I recommend starting with a smaller amount of butter and MCT oil at first. Then, follow up with a good meal afterward.

Losing weight with Bulletproof Coffee

The company claims that dieters can lose up to a pound per day with Bulletproof Coffee combined with a high-fat, low-carb diet and intermittent fasting. This diet is similar to the ketogenic diet and is designed to hack the body to make it function optimally.

On the Bulletproof Coffee diet, you start the day off with MCT oil and butter. MCT oil contains high levels of omega-3s, which are supposed to help with inflammation, gut health and energy levels. All of these things together combine to help people effectively lose weight.

The Final Takeaway

Bulletproof Coffee may be fine to incorporate into your diet, but you’ll need to consider what else you’re eating, and keep in mind that there really isn’t enough research at this point to definitively know if Bulletproof Coffee benefits the body in a positive way.

Bulletproof may keep you full for longer than some other breakfast options, but, as we mentioned, nutritionists say you’re probably better off eating a balanced breakfast. For now you may want to consider swapping a mug of Bulletproof for a bowl of oatmeal and fruit with a side of some trusty espresso or drip coffee… at least until more research is available.

Bulletproof Coffee FAQ

How much is bulletproof coffee?

Customers can buy a starter kit with all three ingredients for $56.60. This kit makes approximately 20 to 25 cups of Bulletproof Coffee, so it should last about a month.

What does bulletproof coffee taste like?

Many people think Bulletproof Coffee tastes like a nutty latte. It is a bit heavier because of the butter, but the butter also creates a more flavorful and creamy drink.

What are the health benefits of Bulletproof Coffee?

Bulletproof Coffee is designed to kickstart your morning with fats that help your body function more optimally throughout the day. The company states the coffee raises your energy levels, promotes more effective digestion and fat burning and increases your focus.

What is Brain Octane oil?

Brain Octane oil is Bulletproof’s brand of MCT oil. It is extracted from 100% coconut oil and is more concentrated than traditional MCT oil.

Does Starbucks sell Bulletproof Coffee?

No, Starbucks does not sell Bulletproof Coffee products. But customers can create one from a Starbucks coffee by adding unsalted butter and Bulletproof’s MCT oil or using one of the company’s Instamix creamers.

Can I drink Bulletproof Coffee twice a day?

You could drink Bulletproof Coffee twice a day, but we don’t recommend it. The best benefits come from having just one cup of Bulletproof Coffee each day.