what it is, benefits and how to do it

Everyone loves a cup of coffee. It’s no surprise that, around the world, recipes and recipes on how to prepare it in the best possible way emerge every year. There are those who prefer its classic version, as a good brewed coffee cannot be denied. However, one of the biggest crazes today when it comes to the drink is certainly “Bulletproof Coffee”. Literally, the term translates to “armored coffee”, or “bulletproof coffee”. And the reason certainly lives up to the name.

Almost a cocktail, bulletproof coffee is a mixture of good quality coffee and healthy fats and oils. The recipe is aimed at people who want to lose weight, live longer and boost their brains. In this sense, in addition to coffee, the drink contains fat-free butter, preferably ghee, and a beneficial oil, such as coconut. Easy and practical to prepare, this shielded coffee is a rage among most celebrities and influencers focused on lifestyle.

Despite all the benefits that bulletproof coffee promises to offer, much of its basis has not yet been studied in depth. Therefore, it is essential to seek a professional opinion from a nutritionist before jumping into the recipe. Therefore, check below everything you need to know about coffee, as well as its benefits, how it works, contraindications and preparation method.

What is bulletproof coffee?

The recipe is the creation of Dave Asprey, an American technology entrepreneur based in Seattle. He is also the founder of the company Bulletproof, and author of the book “The Bulletproof Diet”. For many years, in search of extended longevity, Asprey spent decades investigating his own biology. However, on a trip to Tibet, he discovered a typical drink from the region made up of a mixture of tea and butter from the milk of yaks, a local bovine.

Such drinks with coffee, butter and other fat options are an ancient tradition in regions such as Tibet, the Himalayas, Nepal, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Its foundation is to provide energy and heat for the body, due to the mild temperatures of the areas. In that sense, after a long walk, Asprey’s energy recovered quickly, something that left him intrigued. After researching further, upon returning to the West, he founded his company Bulletproof and has since gained admirers all over the world.

How it works

In the mixture of coffee, ghee and coconut oil, the saturated fat in butter supports the slow burning of fat, and is even more beneficial than regular fat. This happens because its production comes from cows that only feed on grass, without antibiotics. Furthermore, it does not contain lactose, casein or any toxin that could harm the body.

In turn, the medium-chain triglycerides in the oil promote thermogenesis due to the fact that they are quickly digested and absorbed. This speeds up metabolism.

Finally, coffee helps promote fat burning, in addition to other benefits of its properties. By using coffee free of mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungi) as indicated in recipes, it is possible to avoid risks to health and healthy brain function. They are what make you feel more insomnia, fatigue, malaise and lack of concentration, for example.

Benefits of bulletproof coffee

First of all, it is important to understand that bulletproof coffee was initially created to promote increased brain activity. Furthermore, it helps keep the body well fed to withstand the demands of the activity. Thus, people who drink coffee regularly claim to experience improved brain performance. In other words: focus, cognitive speed and response to different demands changes a lot.

On the other hand, there are those who say that coffee also helps with weight control, as it gives a greater feeling of satiety, as well as more willingness to exercise. However, this all depends on each person’s metabolism, as well as their lifestyle habits and diets. Furthermore, there is no concrete proof that bulletproof coffee actually does all of this. In general, however, what you can expect from the drink is:

• Improves concentration;
• Increased memory;
• More mental clarity;
• More focus and productivity;
• Increased body resistance and energy;
• Increased fat burning;
• Less tiredness.

Contraindications

In any case, bulletproof coffee should not be consumed by anyone who is not used to fasting or who has gastrointestinal problems, for example. Furthermore, those who should avoid the drink most are pregnant women, children, breastfeeding women, hypertensive people, people with extreme anxiety and insomnia, inflammatory bowel diseases, osteoporosis and urinary incontinence. Likewise, coffee should not be included in the diet of those who already eat high carbohydrate foods. Above all, consult a nutritionist before making any decision.

How to make bulletproof coffee

In order for bulletproof coffee to work the way it should, it is essential that its preparation is also adequate. Therefore, choosing a good coffee bean, good butter and coconut oil is essential. Low quality coffees, for example, contain mycotoxins, which cause a series of health risks, weaken the body and generate inflammation.

1 – Original recipe

The original recipe for bulletproof coffee is the one recommended by Dave Asprey, its creator. Thus, one of the ingredients may be more difficult to find wherever it is.

Ingredients

• 250ml of water;
• 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of special coffee beans, freshly ground;
• 1 or 2 spoons of Brain Octane;
• 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of ghee or unsalted butter.

Preparation mode

Blend everything in a mixer or blender for 20 or 30 seconds and drink the mixture immediately.

2 – National revenue

The national recipe is the same recipe for bulletproof coffee, but adapted for national and easier-to-access products.

Ingredients

• 250ml of water;
• 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of special coffee beans, freshly ground;
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of ghee or unsalted butter;
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil or MCT.

Preparation mode

In the same way, blend everything in a blender or mixer for 20 or 30 seconds, until it reaches a creamy consistency. Drink as soon as you are ready.

The other side of the coin

Despite all the supposedly miraculous benefits of bulletproof coffee, it is still unknown whether the drink is actually good for your health. In this sense, studies are needed to prove everything it promises, as it is only possible to confirm the theory with scientific data.

Furthermore, for those who seek to include coffee in their diet in search of weight loss, it is possible that nothing will happen the way you imagine. After all, while a traditional black coffee has practically 0 calories, bulletproof coffee can reach up to 270. Caffeine naturally increases metabolism and helps with focus. Adding fat to coffee is an unnecessary evil depending on your objective. In the case of certain amounts of ghee and coconut oil, the drink is likely to become increasingly caloric.

Technically, mixing coconut oil and ghee would bring greater benefits when trying to lose a few pounds. However, coconut oil, for example, when consumed in excess, can pose risks. Based on the idea that the ingredient increases the feeling of satiety and has a thermogenic effect, it quickly became a rage. The same goes for ghee butter: even so, it remains the healthiest option among other types of butter. Above all, however, excess saturated fat should be avoided.

Sources: Reviewcafe, Grão Gourmet, UCoffee, Dani Noce, Viva Bem

Images: Grão Gourmet, Café Blog, Wellness Play, Bioanalysis, GQ