This last weekend I attended a seminar in San Diego, and one of the sponsors was Bulletproof Coffee.
What is bulletproof coffee, you ask? The short answer is that it’s coffee with butter in it (more on that in a moment). The long answer is that it’s the brainchild of Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dave Aspery, who used to weigh 300 pounds, became a well-known bio-hacker, lost all the weight, transformed his life and his health, and started Bulletproof Executive, a company devoted to high performance living.
Bulletproof coffee—which is basically high fat coffee— is their signature beverage and has been gabbed about on Jimmy Fallon and a dozen other nationally known talk shows. It’s become the trendy beverage-d’jour among the health minded set and the darling of Paleo devotees.
Now this is not an advertisement for Bulletproof, although I’m a big fan of the brand. Even if you don’t buy the (excellent) “Bulletproof” branded coffee and high-fat add-ons, you can still make generic bulletproof coffee at home using regular coffee and any kind of fat like butter. Coconut oil is a popular add-on, as is MCT oil. (I’ll give you the generic recipe, which is what I use every day, at the end of this column.)
Now if you’re new to the notion that higher-fat diets can actually be good for you, you might be confused by my recommendation that you add butter or oil to your coffee. After all, what about the dangers of saturated fat?
Well, pull up a chair.
Saturated fat—from butter, from coconut oil, from grass-fed meat, from red Malaysian palm oil—is absolutely blameless when it comes to heart disease. At least three major meta-analyses—one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010, one published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2014, and one published just this year in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) were unable to find any direct causal connection between saturated fat and heart disease. (The most recent study, in the BMJ, concluded that “Saturated fats are not associated with all cause mortality, CVD, CHD, ischemic stroke, or type 2 diabetes..”)
What’s also important to remember is that fats—from good healthy sources like grass-fed beef, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, Malaysian palm oil, avocados, wild salmon, flaxseed, olive and avocado oil and the like— are the best source of energy in the human diet.
Our cells manufacture a molecule known as ATP which is basically the currency from which energy is produced in the body. We need ATP to power every single activity from growing eyebrows to dancing the tango. Our cells produce about 36 molecules of ATP from each molecule of glucose (sugar) but they produce well over 100 molecules of ATP from every molecule of fat.
Our bodies store about 2000 calories of carbohydrate in the body but they store about ten gazillion calories of fat. Fat is the natural fuel of the body—it’s like high octane gas for the cells. No wonder the bulletproof coffee formula gives you a nice little jolt of energy in the morning!
A further benefit of fat is its effect on your hormones. Remember, insulin is the fat-storage hormone, responsible for (among other things) driving sugar into the cells. The food group that has the most profound effect on insulin—raising it the highest—is carbohydrate. Protein has an effect, but not nearly as strong as that of carbohydrates.
Know what food group has zero effect on this fat-storing hormone?
You guessed it. Fat.
That’s why I called my new book Smart Fat: Eat More Fat, Lose More Weight, Get Healthy Now!. And that’s why the high-fat bulletproof coffee is a great way to start the day!
The generic recipe for “bulletproof coffee”:
- Start with 8 oz of filtered water.
- Add 2 ½ tablespoons of freshly ground coffee and brew in your preferred way.
- Add 1 teaspoon of MCT oil (you can easily up this to 1-2 tablespoons).
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of grass-fed unsalted butter
- Mix it all up in a blender for 20-30 seconds.
- Enjoy!
Love the bullet proof coffee, but I am lactose intolerant and have been using ghee. Do you have anything like that for travel packs?
I would like to try it in an enema for detox..have not done that yet.
I have been bulletproof for over a year . I am thriving. I am lactose intolerant but buttet doesnt seem to be an issue for me. I avoid cheese cream milk……drinking bulletproof coffee sets ur day up for zeto cravings and hunger …. you always feel satisfied …. this is the difference from.all other ketogenic diets
Love my bulletproof coffee. Keeps me focused and energetic all morning.
I’d like to try bulletproof because I’m trying to add more healthy fats into my diet! Thanks!
I too am lactose intolerant. And this is a great new change and something to add to the other. Makes sense that it is healthy.
Thank u so much.
I use the Brain Octane in smoothies and love it!
I love bulletproof coffee! My day is off to an energetic start without jitters and I don’t get hunger pangs. By the way, I am 77 years young.
I would love to try bulletproof. Thanks to you all for giving us food for mind and body.
I’ve been taking brain octane since I first heard about it.. and I have to say, it works to improve cognitive function and memory. I tested it, unintentionally when I ran out and hadn’t reordered in time.. Im 66 and eat healthfully , exercise and meditate.. so when I ran out, I didn’t expect my memory to decline.. but it did. I was having a bit of difficulty with recall of words and names.. as soon as I started taking the brain octane again, those symptoms went away.. so Im a true believer
I love making Bulletproof coffee in the vitamix but I’d like to try Dave’s Brain Octane oil!
With the specially picked coffee beans and the fact they are not moldy sounds like a sure thing.
i have been so excited to try BP, but haven’t had the chance yet. the brain octane and unfair advantage i know will be fantastic too! this would be so wonderful to try and share my anticipated AWESOME results!
MY FRIEND ANNETTE KEEPS TELLING ME ABOUT BULLETPROOF BUT I CAN NOT DRINK CAFFEINE BECAUSE I GET DIARRHEA. SINCE CHEMO/RAD TREATMENT FOR CANCER MY BOWELS HAVE BEEN SENSITIZED TOWARDS ALOT OF DIFFERENT FOOD GROUPS. I USE IMMODIUM ON A REGULAR BASIS. SHE IS TRYING TO GET ME TO CONVERT TO USING CHARCOAL PILLS AND SAID THROUGH HER RESEARCH SHE HAS FOUND BULLETPROOF COFFEE HAS THE BEST QUALITY. I ALSO HEARD SOMEWHERE COFFEE IS KNOW TO HAVE ALOT OF MOLD BUT JJ VIRGIN SAID SHE DRINKS THIS BRAND. I DID NOT SEE ANY MENTION OF MOLD FREE ON THIS PAGE THOUGH. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER.
Bullet proof coffee intrigues me. I have never been a coffee drinker on a regular basis but have heard mixed things about its health benefits. After reading Dr Jonny’s article about the difference with bullet proof coffee I’d like to try it. Thanks for the great articles. I’ve lost over 25 lbs since April using a lot of the tips learned here.
Coffee makes me feel bad. I think the bulletproof products are overpriced.
I was a creamer drinker for years and Bulletproof has gotten me completely off dairy and sugar in my coffee. Don’t even miss it!
Hi. As a recent convert to the high fat lifestyle, I have been interested in the bulletproof coffee that you hear so much about. Thank you for the reasonable and quick recipe that you provided. I will definitely try it out.
Have never heard of this product, but from reading the above article, it sounds like some thing I would like to try. Where can it be purchased?
Thanks for answering my inquiry.
Maxine
I was never a regular coffee drinker, a few times a year when visiting the folks at holiday time and a few other times in the year. Now I drink BulletProof coffee and playing with the amounts I need to get into a ketogenic state. I would love to have the packets for travelling. The packets are not available on the Canadian Bulletproof shopping site. Love love love the clean energy I get and the benefit of not wanting to eat and no cravings and being able to work at our restaurant through the busy lunch hour and getting to the afternoon without eating. So great.
I’ve tried homemade and store made versions of Bulletproof Coffee, but never the real deal! I’d love the chance to try a free sample to compare. Thank you Dave Aspery for discovering/inventing a healthy coffee option!
Bulletproof coffee fits perfectly with a keto diet
I would love to combine two favorites: coffee and butter! 🙂 It makes perfect sense.
I start every day with my bullet proof coffee! It is my first meal of the day after my 12-14 hour fast. It helps me stay in ketosis and I don’t get hungry or have cravings.
I am just now learning about Bulletproof products and curious to try them all one day 🙂 I was born in the place where we ate real fat and enjoyed it to the fullest! So I appreciate traditional values of wholesome food and it seems Bulletproof is working to keep it this way~
I just listened to Dave’s secment in the Medicinal Supplements Summit and I really want to try his products.
For the first time, I’ve been using the Bulletproof packets while on vacation. I am so glad to have them on hand!
Love bullet proof coffee, I have been looking for a travel size package of MCT to take along on vacation…. But wondering about the coupon offer… I assume it is a typo that it expires on 2/26/16?
I’m always looking for the best ingredients to fuel my body and keep me going and value your opinion and insight. I’d love to try one of the bulletproof packs!
I drink Bulletproof every morning before work and I’m not hungry for hours!
I’d love to try all BP products to see how they affect me but so far $ has been a limit to try them all….
I would really like to try these products. Tried a home recipe but I can tell by comparing it to Jonny’s it missed the boat.
Just looking into MCT Oil as I’m listening to the Alzheimers Summit airing via the net right now. The Docs interviewed all recommend MCT Oil for the brain and connecting synapses. One persons hand tremors disappeared within minutes of taking MCT Oil.
I would love to try bulletproof coffee to see if it would help type two diabetes if I did a good fat diet.
I typically avoid coffee because it gives me the jitters. I avoid dairy because it creates facial acne. Wondering if healthy Bulletproof product would be a good fit.
Am looking forward to trying the new products. Really sounds convenient.
I don’t drink coffee but I do drink green tea. I would love to try the Brain Octane in my tea or my smoothies.
I’m a big fan of Bulletproof coffee….I have it in the morning for breakfast- it satiates me until lunch , so I can effectively extend the fast! Love it! If I make a smoothie I always put a tablespoon of the octane oil in it!
I’d like to try Bulletproof to get through my office’s PAINFUL 3x/wk hour-long “around the room” morning staff meetings, and be able to thrive through the rest of the work day.
I would love to try BulletProof! I currently use another brand of MCT oil in my coffee as well as organic coffee beans, so I am curious how the taste, cognitive and physical effects would change using the BulletProof brand.
I’d love to see if Bulletproof coffee would cure my brain fog.
I want to increase my brain power/focus/concentration/clarity
Trying to get healthy with my husband who had triple heart by-pass surgery, is diabetic (thank you statins!), and we are both over weight. Love coffee and making it more healthy is a win win.
I have never heard of this product but am excited to read your and other’s reviews. Would L.O.V.E. to consume less milk especially with having seasonal allergies and this coffee definitely sounds like something I need to try. Thanks for the “heads-up”! 🙂
I feel bulletproof after I drink your coffee with the Brain Octane. I then go play pickle ball for 2 hours full of energy and not hungry. I cannot imagine going a morning without it. Also I used your chocolate bars in my pumpkin paleo muffins. Everyone loves them!!
I’ve been hearing a lot about bulletproof coffee, but have been unsure as to what products and amounts to use. I’ve been putting a spoonful of extra virgin coconut oil in coffee; but haven’t tried anything further. Would love to try the “real deal” Bulletproof Coffee!
Hey Dr. B please pick me. Been on a coconut oil and low carb. diet and your news letters. I’ve dropped 50 lbs. thanks to you. I still have 25lbs to go and need the inspiration to keep going. thanks a million Jonny
I would love to try the bullet proof coffee. I have tried adding the butter to my coffee and it just didn’t work for me for some reason. I would love to try Dave’s and get the real taste! I have lost 40 lbs all on my own but cutting out the junk food and eating healthy. I can’t do much exercise as I have a severe case of fibromyalgia, but I do get on the treadmill at the lowest setting as often as possible. If I could incorporate the bullet proof coffee into my regiment it would be a big plus for me. I still have about 60 lbs to go, but I will do it. Love you all, Jonny, Dave and the others on the quest to inform the public of the real meaning to health.
Sorry on the post I put all on my own but cutting out the junk food, I meant by cutting out the junk food. LOL
I’ve been slowly making healthier food choices from giving up my coconut creamer in coffee, switching to putting Kerigold butter, coconut oil, and collagen in my coffee. Have noticed the benifits of feeling satiated and keeping my weight stabilized. I would like to try the real bullit proof coffee and Daves MCT oil…like the idea oh guaranteed mold free fair trade coffee and the MCT oil for better brain function.
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY BULLET PROOF COFFEE.
I want to increase my brain power/focus/concentration/clarity
I have heard so much about Bulletproof products but haven’t really tried it and would LOVE to win the give-always to try out Bulletproof products. Thanks for doing the give-away so for folks to try. Much appreciate it.
What is MCT oil? Have heard a lot about bulletproof coffee but have never tried it. Already using grass-fed ghee and coconut oil as part of my diet, and a daily coffee drinker using fresh roasted beans.
Thankfully my local health food store has found Bulletproof and I am now hooked on the Collegan and ready to try more of these products.
I’d like to try it, as I just started a keto diet and need some healthy energy options!
I listened to many including this speaker at the Truth about Fat Loss Summit, so interesting! To get the benefits explained and have a delicious coffee beverage at the same time? Love that idea, would love to try! And btw, not too long ago I saw the actor Brandon Routh (Superman) interviewed on a tv program and he apparently loves his Bulletproof Coffee 🙂
I’ve been doing this for about a month. I honestly can’t believe the amount of fat that has fallen off my mid section. People comment all the time about how much weight I’ve lost. I think I’ve lost maybe 5 pounds but my guess is that it was mostly all fat. As most people know, 5 pounds of fat takes up a lot more area than muscle.
I also like the long energy spans and I do indeed love the taste.