Bulletproof coffee is a caffeinated beverage made with coffee, cold-pressed coconut oil and unsalted butter or ghee. It is ideally prepared with free-range milk.

Bulletproof coffee is generally high in caffeine and vitamin D, which can boost your energy levels, improve your concentration, promote bone health, and accelerate weight loss.

Although it has been consumed for centuries in Asia, bulletproof coffee became popularly known through entrepreneur Dave Asprey, who helped to promote the drink in other countries.

Health benefits

Bulletproof coffee may be associated with health benefits like:

Promoting weight loss, as this drink has excellent amounts of caffeine that boost metabolism and stimulate fat-burning. It is prepared with butter, which generally takes longer to digest and keep your appetite at bay throughout the day.
Improving focus and concentration, due to the presence of caffeine which stimulates the central nervous system and increases your ability to concentrate
Increasing physical performance, as caffeine reduces fatigue and pain during physical exercise. The fat in coconut oil can keep you energized while exercising.
Maintaining bone health, as bulletproof coffee contains vitamin D, which is a nutrient that is important for calcium absorption.

However, it is important to highlight that that there are no scientific studies that support these health benefits.

How to drink

You can drink bulletproof coffee for breakfast, or drink it before physical activities to improve your performance.

Because it is a food with a low glycemic index, bulletproof coffee can be incorporated into low-carb diets or keto diets.

How to make

When making bulletproof coffee, you should opt for organic foods and a medium-roast coffee, which will help to preserve its nutrients.

Ingredients:

240 ml of coffee, made with a French press or freshly ground and filtered;
1 level tablespoon of cold-pressed coconut oil;
1 level tablespoon of unsalted butter or ghee.

Directions

Place the coffee, coconut oil and butter, in a blender and mix for up to 30 seconds or until smooth. Drink immediately, without adding sugar. You should limit consumption to only one cup per day.

Possible side effects

Bulletproof coffee contains caffeine, a compound that, when consumed in excess, can lead to stomach aches, tremors, agitation or insomnia. These can especially be noted if the bulletproof coffee is consumed in the late afternoon or evening. Therefore, the recommended intake is 1 cup per day and up to 6 hours before bed.

Furthermore, consuming coconut oil and butter can increase your overall daily calorie count, leading to weight gain if consumed in excess.

Contraindications for consumption

Bulletproof coffee consumption should be avoided by children, people with gastritis, acid reflux, high cholesterol and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You should not drink bulletproof coffee together with other caffeine source (like such green tea, yerba mate or chocolate) as too much caffeine can lead to palpitations, nausea, dehydration, or even cause long-term dependence.