If you ever visit Tibet, you may be greeted in the morning with a cup of steaming hot Tibetan tea; a mixture of tea, butter, salt and pepper. Sound yummy? In Singapore, coffee beans are first roasted in butter, then ground, for fresh coffee with a delectably rich taste, according to some.
Well, here in America, a relatively new concept of adding organic, grass-fed butter, along with coconut oil or MCT oil, is taking hold. What are the health benefits, if any, of this new coffee concoction?
Bulletproof Coffee
David Asprey coined the term “bulletproof coffee” which is quite popular with people on the Paleo Diet. This coffee mixes high-quality organic coffee with organic, grass-fed butter and an oil known as MCT. This oil is a combination of palm and coconut oil.
Bulletproof coffee lovers state that adding the oil and butter to their coffee supercharges the drink and provides an abundance of instant energy and a feeling of fullness that does not come from coffee alone.
The butter and oil add a creamy texture that takes some getting used to, but seems to be quite appealing once you get past the strangeness of the mixture. An important point when making this coffee drink is to be sure to blend all of the ingredients. This way, the drink is smooth and frothy.
Who Needs Fat?
Contrary to what you may think, most people are starved for healthy fats. Still swayed by the lipid hypothesis, many fear saturated fat because they think it will make them fat and clog their arteries. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The real problem with fat gain and clogged arteries is consuming a diet high in refined sugars and denatured food. Healthy saturated fats such as those found in raw nuts, organic, cold-pressed coconut oil and organic grass-fed butter are necessary for healthy bodily function.
While mainstream health institutions say that getting 7 to 10 percent saturated fat is enough, other well-known researchers such as Mary Enig PhD. claim that our diet should actually consist of more like 50% saturated fat. According to saturated fat expert Enig, healthy saturated fat is necessary for healthy bone mass, weight loss, lung function, brain function and immune system function.
If you take prescription or over-the-counter drugs, you especially want to keep your diet rich in saturated fat. It works well to protect the liver from the adverse effects of these dangerous chemicals.
Why Organic Grass-Fed Butter?
Conventional butter comes from cows who feed on genetically modified corn, soy and other harmful substances. These cows are raised in confinement, are often pumped with antibiotics and rarely see the light of day.
This butter is not only full of GMO’s but is also much lighter in color and taste than organic, grass-fed butter, which has a rich, smooth taste and a pretty yellow color which is indicative of its high nutrient quality.
Most organic, whole food stores carry grass-fed butter, or you can try your local farmer’s market. Be sure to ask how the cows are raised before you purchase.
Supercharged Coffee Recipe
To supercharge your coffee in the morning, do the following:
- Brew two large cups of organic coffee
- Add in 2 tablespoons of organic grass fed butter
- Add 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil or 30 grams of MCT
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and enjoy!
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/06/06/saturated-fat/
http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-make-your-coffee-bulletproof-and-your-morning-too/
