Coffee drinkers have many ways to add healthy elements to their cup, from mushroom powders and adaptogenic herbs, to whey protein powder. But perhaps the trendiest addition of all is butter. A version of “butter coffee,” as it’s commonly known, has found immense popularity among health and fitness enthusiasts who claim that its consumption provides numerous health benefits including enhanced energy, mental clarity and digestion enhancement. But is this fatty drink really what its reputation implies?

At first glance, adding butter to your coffee may seem simple enough – just drop in some pats of butter into your morning cup of joe! But for best results it is recommended that a blender or hand-held immersion blender be used to thoroughly blend the butter with coffee until all traces of fat have been dispersed, thus preventing an oily residue that leaves an unpleasant sheen on lips and tongue.

Consider which type of butter to use: grass-fed unsalted (like Kerrygold) or clarified butter such as ghee contain more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids than traditional conventionally raised versions, and also boasts more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Although CLA is considered a healthy fat, using butter in your coffee could have potentially adverse side effects due to its high saturated fat content – this nutrient has been linked with elevated cholesterol and heart disease risk. Just one tablespoon of coconut oil or butter contains 12 grams of saturated fat so it’s wise to limit how often this ingredient is included in your meals.

If you decide to add butter to your coffee, Vital Farms or Kerrygold brands are highly recommended as high-quality organic butter will contain less trans fats and more healthy unsaturated fatty acids compared to cheaper brands. Furthermore, grass-fed butter has shown higher concentrations of CLA than conventionally raised varieties – an additional benefit. It is also important to choose an excellent organic variety as this will offer even greater health advantages over regular butter varieties.

Add an extra tang to your butter coffee by mixing in some heat-stable protein such as whey or collagen powder, which will blend beautifully with hot coffee and grass-fed butter when blended together.

Addition of whey protein will ensure you are getting enough essential amino acids in your daily diet, while cocoa powder provides flavor and antioxidant benefits, thought to help with anti-ageing, heart health and digestion issues. However, be careful when selecting cocoa powder brands since many contain sugar or unhealthy ingredients that should be avoided.