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Bulletproof Coffee?
Nutrition | February 17, 2015
Some of you may know that I really swear by the concoction commonly referred to as Bulletproof Coffee. It’s marketed as a kind of gimmick, but the methods and ingredients involved are actually quite sound. Still, some of the claims made by Dave Asprey, the man behind Bulletproof Coffee range from suspect to just a marketing ploy.
For starters, I don’t think it’s a magic potion and it’s not for everyone (especially those of you who don’t like coffee or have sensitive stomachs). I personally like it because it combines healthy fats and caffeine in a very quick and manageable drink. I love it in the morning before my workouts. The healthy fats provide fuel and the caffeine helps keep me awake and alert. Again though, everyone may not experience the same results with this concoction. However, I always suggest eating healthy fats in some form or another (see my Nutrition Guide) and consider them crucial for our diets.
Bulletproof Coffee is easily made at home with a few simple ingredients. All that is required to make it is fresh coffee, unsalted grass-fed butter (I take one tbsp), coconut or MCT oil (also one tbsp) and some type of blender.
Unfortunately, one major aspect of Asprey’s Bulletproof Coffee that I consider suspect is that he insists you must purchase his coffee beans to avoid dangerous toxins. Asprey claims that other kinds of coffee purchased at stores or cafes are toxic. More specifically, Asprey insists that they contain aflatoxins due to mold. This is quite misleading. He is implying that you can and will get sick if you purchase coffee other than his own.
According to some studies roasting any coffee actually destroys almost all of the potential aflatoxins. A study done in the academic journal, Mycotoxin Research, states the following: “The percentage of toxin destruction was up to 93% for light roasted and 99% for dark roasted coffee with a slightly higher rate up to 100% for the electrically roasted coffee for light and dark roasting.”
Also, bear in mind that a variety of other foods contain or are at risk of containing aflatoxins. This includes nuts, legumes and seeds. Even if there are small levels of toxins present in our foods the risk is still minimal to none according to Dr. Bryan Chung, founder of Evidence-Based Fitness and a board member of the academic journal, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
Toxins are everywhere. We should only be concerned when they’ve reached levels beyond regulated safety measures. It’s the dose that makes the poison. For example, apples contain cyanide, a potentially lethal poison yet we eat them everyday. Why? Because the amount of cyanide is so small, that it’s not worth considering as a health threat.
As much as I enjoy Asprey’s recipe for Bulletproof Coffee in the morning, some of the results are a bit farfetched. At the very least, they are subjective, meaning there are not any studies or research to fully support some of his statements – something I’m always careful to avoid.
Have you tried Bulletproof Coffee? How do you like it?
Private Member |
boise, idaho
Bulletproof coffee is SO SO SO GOOOOOOD! And good for you! Do the research on the butter aspect of it. It has to be grass fed butter and high quality virgin coconut oil. It keeps my energy level it does not spike it. Satisfies my appetite for a longer period of time and you do have to blend it. Blending creates an amazing creamy foam like a latte or cappacino! YUMMM! Try it!
Private Member |
manchester, united kingdom
Do your reaseach !! I dont need a stimulate spike to get myself going first thing in the morning!! I keep myself carbed up with a smoothie or porridge first thing in the morning the healthier way !!!! YUMMMMMMIIIIIIII!!!
Private Member |
There actually is a lot of research behind drinking coffee before you workout. I think it comes down to personal preference, as people like different things and are effected diversely from consuming caffeine. If you’re looking to burn body fat instead of the carbs you consume in your breakfast, it’s a great way to get energy before your workout. After replenish yourself with protein and carbs, as your metabolism will be boosted and the carbs you eat will be burned off instead of being stored as fat.
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka,
I’ve been drinking bullet proof coffee (I just stir 1tsp of org. butter & org. coconut extra virgin oil) every morning for my post-workout/ breakfast. I just enjoy so much! 😉
Private Member |
I need to try this!
Private Member |
Lol I guess you can either love it or hate it 😀
Private Member |
I personally like the taste of coconut oil and butter in my coffee. Totally random and off subject but… I love that butter dish! Is that yours? If so, what brand is it? 🙂
Private Member |
toronto, canada
The pics u take of food, beverages and such ways look so great 🙂
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Well thank you but that must belong to my friend. She took this picture. I’ll tell her you like it 🙂
Private Member |
sydney, aus
How do you make your coffee zuzka?
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
I grind the coffee beans every morning, then I brew my coffee and blend it with 1 tbsp of coconut oil and 1tbslp of grass fed butter.
Private Member |
viña del mar, chile
Hi Zu !!! I wonder what benefits besides providing more energy and less appetite, makes coconut oil in coffee … you will burn more calories than coffee alone? I eat a pita whole grain bread with turkey ham or chicken, one hour before training and then drink coffee half an hour before training but almost at night … and after training, I have my last light meal with protein and green salads. .I would like to prove my coffe with coconut oil but I need to know what happen with calories, pleaseeeee answer to me, ok???? Thank you sooooooooo much !!!! 🙂
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Hi Nina, if you eat an hour before training, then you don’t need to put any extra calories into your coffee. I drink the bulletproof coffee in the morning before my training instead of having breakfast because I can’t wait an hour to digest. I just want to get some energy and do the workout as soon as possible. I feel like it does make me feel lighter and more energized for a workout than regular breakfast tho, but that’s something you can experiment with if you want to.
Private Member |
viña del mar, chile
Hi Zu !! thank you very much for your reply !! Now I understand the purpose of the bulletproof … I thought that good fat makes another difference further to get more energy, and also I didn´t know that can be used replacing a meal…its great to know ! I´ll try tonigh before my workouts without eat that snack one hore before !!! Again Zu, thank you sooooooooo much to have a time and reply and explain my doubt !! you are awesome and the best !!!!!! 🙂 <3 🙂
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Glad I can help sweety 🙂 XO
Private Member |
viña del mar, chile
Thank you lovely Zu, you always are helping to us !! You are my inspiration and I’m your super fan !! a very big hug for you !!! 🙂 <3
Private Member |
hey Zuzka, great article! Do you use instant coffee? I don’t know what else to use with a blender. thanks
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
No I don’t. I buy whole beans so that I can have a freshly grind and brewed coffee every morning. Instant coffee tastes crapy to me 🙂
Private Member |
I love bulletproof coffee. When I am not putting butter in it I put egg in it (you don’t even taste the egg, I don’t like egg so that is saying something if I can stomach this). I have never had a better energy boost from coffee as I have with the bulletproof and the egg coffee.