What is MCT Oil and Its Connection to Coffee
MCT oil has become a popular alternative to using grass-fed butter in our morning coffee drinks and favorite keto coffee recipes. MCT oil has plenty of perks and is flavorless so easy to incorporate into meals and drinks with minimal taste alterations, so you could add a dash into meals and the family would be none the wiser yet reap the benefits of MCT in their system.
Win-win.
In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of MCT oil and butter as an alternative to oil and how they can increase your health. We answer commonly asked questions, squash myths surrounding the negative impact the Keto diet or MCT oil may have on the body, and rather encourage you to understand how it works and conclude from there based on the information given.
Let's jump right in and learn all there is to know about this wonderful, natural ingredient we know as MCT oil.
Understanding Medium-Chain Triglycerides
Medium-chain triglycerides are the fundamental saturated fatty acids that the body easily metabolizes. They are much healthier and more beneficial to the body because they can be absorbed and used straight away for fuel and sustenance.
They are a more concentrated fat source most suitable for people following a nutritionally sound eating plan or who struggle to absorb other fats.
MCT Oil Sources
The best, and essentially most popular source of MCT oil is coconut oil which, thankfully, is quite readily available unlike so many bespoke, difficult to source ingredients found only in specialty stores and at a healthy price tag to match.
MCT oil or Medium-chain triglycerides are found naturally in sources such as coconut oil, palm kernel oils, or full-fat dairy products. They are, surprisingly to many people, present in breast milk which is why breastfeeding is so great for weight loss and reducing body fat.
Adding MCT oil to your meals or simply adding MCT oil in coffee (known as bulletproof coffee) can help you slowly begin to lose weight.
If you are looking for healthy fats and including MCT oil in your daily lifestyle, begin by including the following ingredients for an easier transition into the Keto diet and adapting to MCT oil as part of your diet.
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Coconut oil
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Palm kernel oil or palm oil
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Grass-fed butter
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Goats cheese
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Heavy cream
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Most cheeses
Butter and MCT oil can be used interchangeably depending on the food intake.
Main Health Benefits of MCT Oil in Coffee
MCT oil in coffee requires caution as a beginner, too much can cause stomach pains or cramps and although you may wish to consume MCT oil in coffee for weight loss, it can quickly lead to diarrhea.
However, with sensible progression and implementation of MCT oil in your diet, the benefits of MCT oil in your morning cup of coffee, or even as is, are many. Let's jump in to see what some of them are and how they can positively affect your lifestyle and diet.
We have curated the top 12 benefits we believe will help you get started in the best way possible on your MCT oils adventure.
Weight Loss and Appetite Control
The Keto diet encourages you to consume MCT oil to fuel you through the day and give you that extra boost to keep going until mealtime. Putting MCT oil into your salad dressings is a quick way to include it in your meals and it immediately gets to work suppressing those nagging thoughts that you're hungry - when you may just be bored - and assisting your weight loss journey.
If you are new to the Keto diet the best way to dive in without too much shock to the system is by grabbing a collection of standard bulletproof coffee recipes. Utilizing something you already consume is a great use of the medium chain triglycerides without too much thinking or fuss involved.
Your morning coffee will be packed with healthy fats that will work within the body to aid weight loss while curbing any hunger pangs.
Energy Boost and Physical Performance
The medium chain triglyceride element in MCT oil encourages stored fat, meaning you can exercise or train for longer with a slower onset of fatigue. If you are a regular gym goer then rather than reaching for the generic protein powder filled with who knows what chemicals, add MCT oil into your smoothie for a wellness-promoting drink that is far more effective.
Paleo diet followers prefer MCT oil to regular fats because it is not only a low-carb option to include in your meal plans, but is made completely from animal-free byproducts. This healthy fat will help you achieve optimum health, burn fat for longer during training, and aids in building lean muscle mass.
Cognitive Health and Mental Clarity
We love that the long-chain triglycerides in MCT oil play a big role in the health benefits of your brain cells. When you consume MCT oil whether as a bulletproof coffee or in your lunchtime salad dressings, it immediately begins ketone production in the body and brain cells.
Acids called ketones and ketone production are the fuel source your brain needs to function effectively. The deeper you go into ketosis (the optimal fat-burning stage) the better your mental clarity will be. One wellness-promoting drink with adding MCT oil and you can quickly see how your cognitive function improves. Who needs protein powder when MCT oil has so many more healthy fats and benefits right?
Improved Memory
Like with cognitive function increasing MCT oil will aid in significantly improving your memory and prevent what is called in the Keto diet, brain fog.
If you know you have a big meeting coming up or even an exam and you feel the pressure and stress begin to build, make yourself a bulletproof coffee for that extra boost of calmness and information recollection. When the body begins producing ketones these ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier to provide rapid energy to the brain to help you better recollect important information at the time you need it.
Anti-inflammatory elements
Sometimes we can over-train when we are in the gym, or even if you come of a certain age inflammation can creep in and can be extremely painful. The saturated fat in MCT oil will help you increase immune cell production to fight off physical ailments while the body burns fat during training, so consider a dash of heavy cream in your morning coffee next time you feel a niggle coming on.
Improved Gut Health benefits
Your gut is not something many people show concern over but a healthy gut is important to maintain. The medium-chain fatty acids called ketones in your added MCT oil daily will begin to increase the production of good bacteria in the gut so you can enjoy overall good health.
Dietary fats stimulate digestion far quicker and more effectively than carbohydrates, therefore leading the gut to increase its contractions. These contractions promote digestive tract movement. In addition to this free-flowing movement in the gut, it helps to improve the gut microbiome and permeability of the gut lining.
Decreased Cholesterol Levels
MCT oil does help to lose weight and decrease body fat and with that, your cholesterol levels decrease as well. Like with all medical conditions, you should always discover the root of the problem and not use MCT oil as a sole solution, but rather as a bonus.
MCT oil helps to increase the promotion of HDL (the good cholesterol) and reduce the levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol) in the body.
Better looking skin
Fat burning capabilities are not all MCT oil is great for, but also if you want a fresher, younger-looking complexion.
A healthy fat MCT oil consumed as your morning keto coffee is the best way to start the day while essentially turning back the hands of time (we wish). Collagen is a natural protein that keeps the skin looking youthful and firm, and MCT oil facilitates collagen production.
Bone Density
MCT oil is a high-quality ingredient that can help increase bone density by increasing the efficacy of calcium absorption.
As we age, and more so for women, our bones become weaker, and this is increased if we are practicing exercising or even lifting weights. Therefore, by extension alone, the fatty acid chains in MCT oil help reduce the risk of fractures.
Decreased blood sugar levels
Insulin sensitivity is significantly increased when consuming MCT oil. High blood sugars is a big issue for people who struggle with diabetes or are at risk of developing it. MCT oil and eating high-fat foods can help with this. The last thing you want is to open the door for heart disease or cardiac arrests because your body cannot fight off the damage being caused to the blood vessels which supply the vital organs.
MCT can serve as an antioxidant
MCT oil can serve as a protector against free radicals. These are unstable molecules that can damage cells and lead to health problems. MCT oil can therefore aid in neutralizing the presence of free radicals and prevent any damage from occurring. Overall you will see an improvement in your skin, your hair, and your nails will be stronger.
Assists the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are important for numerous bodily functions and in combination with MCT oil only increase your health benefits.
Foods high in fat-soluble vitamins;
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Oily fish and fish oils, grass-fed dairy products, plant-based milk, beef liver, and eggs.
MCT Oil and the Ketogenic Diet
Supporting Ketosis
When it comes to preventing heart disease and following a more nutritionally sound eating plan and lifestyle MCT oil is the best way to adapt to the transition.
Ketosis is when your body burns fat instead of glucose as an energy source, and this fat-burning metabolic state promotes lean muscle mass during training. The body burns stored fat so don't need high-sugar foods or drinks for an energy boost.
The long-chain triglycerides in MCT oil are converted into ketones which provide the fatty acids energy source which aids you to lose weight.
Choosing Fats on the Keto Diet
There are more fatty-acids rich foods (not only coffee) that many people may not realize and which causes hesitation to try the Ketogenic diet. Some of the best high fat foods ingredients include;
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Grass fed butter, regular butter and MCT oil
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Coconut oil or unsalted butter
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Olive oil and Palm oil
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Low sugar almond milk
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Fish and other seafood like salmon are high in Omega 3 fatty acids
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A good fatty acid source can also be found in almond or walnuts
Bulletproof Coffee
A dollop of unsalted butter in your morning coffee will keep you satiated and hunger-free for the majority of the day, preventing cravings or the need to snack.
The new craze known as bulletproof coffee is essentially what it sounds like, butter coffee and added sweetener if you need a little something extra. Bulletproof coffee has shown to increase not only cognitive performance but creates the constant feeling of being full. When shopping for bulletproof coffee ingredients look for grass fed butter and plant-based oils to ensure no additives have been mixed in.
Butter coffee is high in calories but significantly low in carbohydrates so you have the best of both worlds. The taste does take some getting used to and the mouthfeel may feel a little greasy at first, but stick with it.
Recipes to help you enjoy the benefits of MCT oil in coffee
There are so many readily available MCT oil recipes to utilize and implement into your lifestyle in a way that suits you, and your creativity is your only limitation. Some ideas to research to get you going;
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MCT oil coffee latte - substitute almond milk for regular and a sprinkling of sugar-free cocoa powder as a low carb alternative to a caramel drizzle
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Cappuccino and MCT oil - Adding MCT oil to hot coffee will help you to stay fuller for longer throughout the day, soy or almond milk can be frothed up and whipped to recreate your beloved coffee drink
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Bulletproof coffee Iced Latte - Regular or flavored MCT oil mixed with coconut milk or almond milk and poured into ice cube trays makes the perfect addition to an iced coffee drink. Simply pour over your hot coffee and add a dollop of grass fed dairy whipped cream
Frequently Asked Questions About MCT Oil In Coffee
Like with all things there is always more to learn, more to find out, and when you delve deeper into the pros and cons of a niche it can help in the decision-making process. Let's see some commonly asked questions.
Is it OK to take MCT oil everyday?
Yes, it is ok to take MCT oil everyday but if you are a beginner it is vital you begin slowly to prevent gastrointestinal issues. To start it is recommended to take 1-2 tablespoons per day, a keto coffee drink is the easiest way to gradually get into taking MCT oil.
Why Put MCT in Your Coffee?
Keto coffee (putting MCT oil to your morning cup) helps to add high fats and is a great way to drink coffee to get used to the taste. By taking out the milk and sugar and substituting healthy fats instead you increase your fuel resource in a low carb method. If you miss your milk then consider trying almond milk as a tasting alternative.
Does MCT oil reduce belly fat?
There are many components that work together for healthy fat loss, but MCT oil has shown to make a decent impact for fat burning. You can use MCT oil to burn fat, reduce your waist and reduce belly fat as a whole by exercising and fasting.
How much MCT oil should I use in my coffee?
1-2 tablespoons is plenty when starting to use MCT oil in your diet. You can gradually increase to a maximum of 4-7 tablespoons as a higher performing person well versed and practiced in the Ketogenic diet.
MCT Oil In Coffee: Yay Or Nay
If I know drinking a coffee with a dash of MCT oil will help to lower high blood pressure I am all for it, and that is just the tip of the ice berg of the benefits MCT oil has too offer.
Enjoying your regular coffee is half the battle won, and improving your health with only a small addition of MCT oil or a spoon of butter is something we can all do without too much fuss.
