Butter Coffee: Is It Good for You? (2024)

While people have been adding butter to their coffee for hundreds of years, today’s “butter coffee” refers to bulletproof coffee, which is also known as keto coffee.

Dave Asprey published his recipe for butter coffee in 2011, promoting it as a breakfast replacement. Both the recipe and Asprey’s associated line of wellness products quickly became popular.

A cup of butter coffee contains:

  • Coffee
  • 1 tsp - 2 tbsp MCT (Medium-chain triglycerides) oil
  • 1-2 tbsp grass-fed unsalted butter

MCT oil is a rapidly digested oil that is usually made from coconut or palm kernel oil.

Many claims have been made on behalf of butter coffee. However, unless a doctor has put you on a keto diet, there are healthier ways to get the same benefits a cup of bulletproof coffee will give you.

Nutrition Information

Recipes vary, but these are the basic ingredients for butter coffee. The amounts listed vary depending on the recipe used.

Coffee

A cup of coffee contains:

  • Calories: 2
  • Protein: 0 grams
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Coffee is a good source of

MCT Oil

A tablespoon of MCT oil contains:

  • Calories: 130
  • Protein: 0 grams
  • Fat: 14 grams
  • Saturated fat: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 0 grams

MCT oil is a good source of:

Butter

A tablespoon of butter contains:

  • Calories: 102
  • Protein: 0 grams
  • Fat: 12 grams
  • Saturated fat: 7 grams
  • Cholesterol: 31 milligrams
  • Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Butter is a good source of:

Butter also contains small amounts of vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin K. Grass-fed butter may contain higher amounts of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

At this point, nothing has been published in a peer-reviewed journal that supports the claim that any advantage is gained by combining these ingredients.

Potential Health Benefits of Butter Coffee

Butter coffee may provide some health benefits, particularly to people whose doctors have put them on a ketogenic diet. However, more research is required to validate this claim.

Reduced Time to Ketosis and Reduced Symptoms of Keto-Induction in a Ketogenic Diet

A ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate diet designed to make your body break down stores of fat and protein, a process that is called ketosis. When supervised by a doctor, a ketogenic diet can help obese individuals lose weight.

People beginning a ketogenic diet may benefit from MCT oil, which can shorten the time it takes for the body to stop burning blood sugar reserves and start burning fat and protein. It has also demonstrated the potential to reduce the symptoms experienced by those beginning this diet, which can include fatigue, nausea, constipation, and headaches.

Reduced Hunger

Consuming butter coffee results in feelings of fullness associated with the high fat content. However, if you are drinking butter coffee, you should pay attention to your calorie count throughout the day to make sure that the addition does not push you over your recommended daily amount.

Potential Risks of Butter Coffee

Butter coffee is likely safe for most people. When incorporated into a person’s diet, MCT oil has proven comparable to olive oil, producing no additional health risks.

However, butter coffee is very high in fat, which makes it a poor choice for people who are concerned with the following:

Weight Gain

The high calorie count and high amounts of saturated fat can lead to weight gain and health problems associated with obesity. Moreover, a ketogenic diet is not recommended for everyone. Consult your doctor to see if a ketogenic diet is a good option for you.

Healthier Alternatives

A Healthy, Balanced Meal

There are certain benefits to the various ingredients of butter coffee, and it may help those transitioning to a ketogenic diet. However, you would generally be better off consuming a nutrient-dense and balanced meal. A solid breakfast will provide you with the same feelings of alertness and fullness while providing additional nutritional benefits.

Butter Coffee: Is It Good for You? (2024)

FAQs

Is butter in your coffee really good for you? ›

Although butter coffee also contains minute amounts of calcium, vitamins K and E, and several of the B vitamins, it's not a good source of these nutrients. Butter coffee is high in calories and dietary fat. It's a good source of vitamin A, but it's not a good source of other nutrients.

Does butter in coffee kick you out of ketosis? ›

Coconut oil and butter are also beneficial for those on ketogenic diets because consuming high fat foods is necessary to reach and maintain ketosis. Combining these fats with coffee makes for a filling, energizing, keto-friendly drink that may help ketogenic dieters.

What to add to your coffee to lose weight? ›

Adding cinnamon to your morning cup can help reduce hyperglycemia, increase fat burning, and decrease inflammation (3). All of these are incredibly beneficial to speed up your metabolism and help with weight loss. Cinnamon is a great addition to any herbal, green, or black tea, as well as coffee.

What are the side effects of ghee coffee? ›

The richness of fat in ghee coffee may pose digestion challenges, causing discomfort like bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea-especially for those unaccustomed to consuming substantial fat in their morning routine.

What are the side effects of butter coffee? ›

But some people who try butter coffee report experiencing unpleasant side effects like bloating, diarrhea and an upset stomach after drinking it.

Is butter coffee bad for cholesterol? ›

For those who have cholesterol problems while on a low carb or ketogenic diet, one of the first things to do is avoid excessive intake of fat (such as butter). This includes Bulletproof coffee.

How much butter should I put in my coffee? ›

Butter coffee is the new latte, but better for you

Add 1-2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter and 1-2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil to strong, black coffee to take your coffee to the next level. When blended, the drink will have the same consistency as a creamy latte.

How much butter per day for weight loss? ›

Considering the fact that saturated fat is also found in other dairy products and meat, it's wise to stick to 1 tablespoon or less of butter per day. “Small amounts of butter are fine, especially in a diet that's rich in fiber and overall low in saturated fat, or less than 10% of total calories.

Is butter inflammatory? ›

Along with processed meat like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage, these meats have a lot of pro-inflammatory saturated fat. Butter, whole milk, and cheese. These foods tend to be high in saturated fat, unlike low-fat dairy products. Fried foods.

Who should avoid ghee coffee? ›

Who Should Not Drink Ghee Coffee? People with certain health conditions should avoid drinking ghee coffee. Those with heart disease, high cholesterol, or any condition that requires a low-fat diet should be cautious, as ghee is high in saturated fats.

Who should avoid ghee? ›

People with obesity have higher blood levels of LDL and triglycerides. They also have low levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol. Reducing your intake of ghee and other saturated fats is vital to avoid heart disease. T2DM is a metabolic disorder that affects almost every system of your body.

What is the difference between butter and ghee? ›

Ghee is made by melting regular butter. The butter separates into liquid fats and milk solids. Once separated, the milk solids are removed, which means that ghee has less lactose than butter. Traditionally, ghee has been used as cooking oil, an ingredient in dishes, and in Ayurveda therapies.

What are the side effects of MCT oil in coffee? ›

Even in lower amounts, consuming too much MCT oil can lead to digestive side effects for some people. These include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and bloating. To reduce side effects, some people may need to start with smaller amounts and slowly increase MCT intake over time (64).

Why is butter better than milk in coffee? ›

Adding butter to your coffee might, in fact, increase the antioxidant benefits since it's well-known that fats help your body absorb fat-soluble antioxidants. 3. Butter is higher in fat and calories compared to milk.

What are the benefits of MCT oil in coffee? ›

Combining a high quality coffee with MCTs is the equivalent of a biohacking power couple. MCTs alone have been shown in studies to increase energy and endurance (3), support your microbiome, stimulate metabolism, and boost brain function (4).

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