Looking For A Way To Change Up Your Morning Cup Of Coffee – Try Coconut Oil

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Having a good cup of coffee is one of my favorite morning rituals. Recently, however, we ran out of creamer and milk. Since we’re quarantined I didn’t want to take a quick trip to the store, and I don’t mind black coffee. still, I was sure I could find something in the fridge to spruce it up.

Sifting through the shelves I came across a jar of organic coconut oil. I knew coconut oil was used to create bulletproof coffee – a Keto favorite. Still, I didn’t have all the ingredients for a traditional bulletproof cup. So I googled “is coconut oil good in coffee?” I wanted something in there but I also wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to ruin my precious cup of caffeine.

That’s when I spiraled into the black hole of the internet. It turns out adding coconut oil to coffee has been a fad for quite some time, and it’s not just for those on the Keto diet. Here’s what I found out about coconut oil in coffee and an honest review of the taste.

Coconut Oil and Ketosis

One of the main reasons coconut oil coffee became a trend was due to the Keto diet. Those who practice a keto diet increase their fat intake while decreasing sugar and carbs. In turn, their body favors breaking down fat for energy instead of sugar. This process is called Ketosis and the diet itself has had tremendous breakthroughs with those suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.

Therefore, the belief is that by adding coconut oil to your coffee, or drinking bulletproof coffee (coconut oil and whole milk) you’re encouraging your body to practice ketosis first thing in the morning. Still, while ketosis is a normal bodily function, it’s not the body’s only way to create energy. In fact, sugar is typically broken down into to energy first. This means there’s much debate as to whether or not coconut oil in your coffee will actually affect the way your body breaks down fats and sugars if you’re not following through with a keto diet.

What If You’re Not Keto?

So now the questions is, if you’re not Keto can you still benefit from putting coconut oil in your coffee? In short, yes, here’s why.

Coffee itself is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants can slow down the damage of cells due to free radicals. Additionally, it’s believed that a diet high in antioxidants can reduce the likelihood of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers. Add coconut oil to the mix, and you’ve added even more antioxidants into your coffee.

On top of antioxidation power, coconut oil is full of MCT’s – medium-chain triglycerides. MCT’s are absorbed more quickly than other types of fat and have been known to improve memory and brain function. Additionally, consuming MCT’s may boost your immune system.

Furthermore, it is believed that adding coconut oil to your coffee can boost your metabolism, as well as digestion. Coffee is naturally a dry, astringent taste, so adding oil and fat can reduce the dryness and keep things regular.

Here’s My Review

I enjoyed the light taste of coconut in my coffee much more than I thought I would. That being said, I still added some vanilla extract to the mix in an attempt to boost the flavors. If you don’t drink your coffee quickly some of the oil will separate and sit on top. It didn’t bother me that much, although you do feel the grease of the oil on your lips at that point. Regardless, coconut oil is used all the time as a moisturizer for both the lips and skin so I wasn’t too upset. If I had some type of milk to put in the coffee I would have added it to the mix. The coconut oil is a rather fresh taste in comparison to the bold coffee, and milk would have done well to balance it out.

Recipe

16oz coffee

2 teaspoons coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Splash of coconut milk

Additional Options: almond extract, cinnamon, Cardamom.

Directions: Brew your coffee however you like, then add coconut oil and vanilla extract. You can blend it, use a frother, or whisk it. Blending is the best option to avoid early separation of the coconut oil and coffee, but frothing and whisking can still give you a smooth mixture.

PS French Press coffee is amazing! The french press in the previous picture is my favorite one I’ve owned. I love the rustic vibe and it was a great price! The french press came with a measuring scoop, a wooden spoon, and a milk frother!

Have you tried putting coconut oil, or something equally as unique in your coffee? Let me know! I’m always looking for ways to spice up your average cup of joe!

Disclaimer: I am not nutritionist, dietician, or healthcare professional.