My immediate reaction to the question of whether or not we should be putting butter in our coffee was a hard “no, no we should not”.

Why would you do that to good coffee?

But people do put butter in their coffee. It’s a real thing, and it’s caught on in a big way.

It’s called ‘bulletproof coffee’ and it’s supposed to boost your energy and help you lose weight.

Health expert Maria Ascencao spoke to IOL about the trend.

Ascencao said butter in coffee is a popular drink that contains coffee, butter and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) or coconut oil consumed in place of breakfast, and that it’s said to boost your metabolism and energy levels, but these effects have yet to be clinically proven.

The trend started with US health expert Dave Asprey’s ‘bulletproof coffee’, which contains a type of pesticide-free coffee, a liquid high in MCTs, and grass-fed, unsalted butter.

Most people don’t have access to that specific set of ingredients, so they go for the DIY version.

Ascencao said although many people claim butter coffee provides lasting energy without the blood sugar crash, boosts mental clarity and supports fat loss, it has not been clinically proven and she recommends consulting with a healthcare professional first.

“While it may be filling and energy-boosting, butter coffee comes with several downsides, including reduced nutrient intake, increased cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat which may be harmful to someone with elevated cholesterol levels or follows a low carb diet.”

Yeah, that sounds like the opposite of ‘healthy’.

Instead of loading your coffee with butter, Ascencao suggests a morning meal that contains fibre, good quality fats, and a small amount of protein to help regulate blood sugar levels and nourish the body.

Supplement it with a cup of the good stuff (you can’t go wrong with a cup of Importers Coffee), and throw in a dash of oat milk.

Then have a glass of warm water with some fresh lemon in it to boost that digestive system.

Finally, leave the butter where it belongs – on toast.

[source:iol]