Many people are opting for something indulgent when it comes to morning beverages: butter coffee. This dish combines black coffee with grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, providing plenty of healthy fats while being low in carbohydrates and sugars. Butter coffee has quickly become a trend among fitness enthusiasts and ketogenic dieters as an energy boost and way to improve focus, but is this latest fad truly beneficial?

Butter and coffee may seem like an unlikely combination, but its history dates back millennia. Originating in Tibet as fuel for trekking mountaineers during extreme conditions, its use today provides instant energy boost and can improve concentration levels while the inclusion of MCT oil may increase metabolism and aid weight loss.

But while some swear by the benefits of butter coffee, experts remain dubious of its claims due to a lack of supporting evidence. Furthermore, its high calorie count and saturated fat content could contribute to weight gain when consumed as part of an everyday American diet.

To create butter coffee, the typical process entails using a blender to combine all of the ingredients until they form an even mixture. A blender helps evenly disperse butter and MCT oil throughout your coffee beverage. Some prefer unsalted butter as its natural flavors provide more heart-healthy fats. Ghee is another good dairy alternative which may better accommodate those who may be lactose intolerant.

No matter the recipe used to prepare this beverage, the most crucial aspect is using top-grade ingredients. Ideally, grass-fed butter provides more omega-3 fatty acids without artificial additives; additionally, refined MCT oil may increase absorption rates for optimal absorption.

MCT oil is a synthetic form of fat which has been discovered to provide quick energy and increase metabolism, aiding weight loss. Unlike other saturated fats, MCT oil is easily digested by our bodies as it’s metabolized – not building up in our systems like other saturated fats do – plus provides essential vitamins such as A, D and K! For maximum effectiveness use MCT oil with high-fat diets like the ketogenic diet for best results or drink it as part of an occasional breakfast drink routine.