But adding butter to coffee is nothing new; yet it has recently seen renewed interest among Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and Hollywood celebrities who claim that drinking it increases energy and improves focus. A flavored version called Bulletproof coffee is even available for sale online or in stores as a health fad promoted by lifestyle entrepreneur and self-declared “biohacker” Dave Asprey as an appetite suppressant that aids weight loss while simultaneously diminishing brain fog.

Blend high-quality coffee with unsalted butter, grass-fed butter and coconut oil–an oil rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been shown to improve mental performance and promote ketosis based on some studies. Caffeine helps give an energy boost, while fat slows digestion so caffeine enters more slowly into your bloodstream without creating the usual sugar crash. Some may add in stevia (a plant-based sweetener with lower glycemic index than white or brown sugar) so as to limit added sugars.

Butter coffee recipes typically call for up to 14 grams of saturated fat per cup, nearly one-quarter of the recommended daily intake for healthy adults. Common ingredients used in making butter coffee drinks include grass-fed cow butter which has been associated with higher levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol than regular dairy butter; however, large amounts of saturated fat can raise cholesterol levels and increase cardiovascular disease risk, so it is wise to supplement with other healthy sources throughout your day.

Short of scientific proof supporting its claims, and with too many calories for weight loss benefits to be realized through regular consumption, green coffee may not be appropriate as part of most healthy adults’ diets–unless trying to boost energy levels while following a ketogenic diet plan.

As it turns out, making homemade versions of this unique beverage can be easier and healthier than you may realize! Simply mix a tablespoon of coconut oil and teaspoon of grass-fed butter with any variety of coffee, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and frothy. To reduce lactose intake even further, clarifying butter into ghee is recommended or plant-based alternatives may work just as well if needed – but be careful if attempting this trend – ramping up fat and oil slowly will prevent an upset stomach from occurring! For more on this trend read up on our full article “is putting butter in coffee a healthy choice”.