Does Bulletproof Coffee Break A Fast?

One of the best accompaniments to intermittent fasting is bulletproof coffee, a weight-loss drink that is becoming increasingly popular.

Bulletproof coffee has a high-calorie count and contains added fats. It gives you a morning boost. An American entrepreneur, Dave Asprey, introduced this drink as a part of his bulletproof diet. He lost a good amount of weight while drinking bulletproof coffee. After consuming it, he reported increased energy, enhanced focus, and better memory.

However, there are some questions to be answered. Does bulletproof coffee break a fast? If it does, can you still enjoy its benefits while intermittent fasting? This article gives you all the information about bulletproof coffee and its impact on weight loss.

What is Bulletproof Coffee?

Bulletproof coffee mixes coffee, medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil), and unsalted butter. The above ingredients are blended and served warm. Bulletproof coffee resembles a creamy latte coffee.

Bulletproof coffee is conducive to several diet plans, including paleo, ketogenic, and low-carb diets. It is also complementary to intermittent fasting and the one-meal-a-day diet.

Making Bulletproof Coffee

Making bulletproof coffee is easy; all it takes is five minutes. You will need a cup of brewed coffee, two tablespoons of MCT oil, and two tablespoons of unsalted butter. If MCT oil is new to you, start with one tablespoon and gradually build it up to two tablespoons. You could also adjust the butter serving to what suits you best.

To make bulletproof coffee, brew one cup of coffee, add the coffee, MCT oil, and butter to your blender, and blend for 30 seconds. The bulletproof coffee will look like a frothy, creamy latte if done right.

One cup of bulletproof coffee has 230 calories in it, and it will have 25 grams of fat, 21 grams of saturated fat, and no carbs, protein, fiber, sugar, or salt. Bulletproof coffee is claimed to maintain energy levels, subdue hunger pangs and improve mental focus.

How Does Bulletproof Coffee Work?

Bulletproof coffee helps induce ketosis in your body (fat-burning mode). It does it by prompting your body to turn to the stored fat as an energy source. Ketosis happens when you restrict carbohydrate intake for some time and when your glucose reserves are empty [1].

Your body will turn to ketones for fuel instead of glucose, and you will start losing fat. Studies on animals have found ketosis to increase longevity. Ketosis may also improve cognitive abilities and memory. [2][3][4]

Here are the three ingredients of bulletproof coffee and how they contribute to weight loss:

Coffee

Coffee contains a lot of caffeine. Caffeine helps you lose weight by suppressing hunger and boosting energy. Researchers have found caffeine to increase the number of plasma ketones that promote ketosis. [5][6]

MCT Oil

MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) are absorbed by the body more quickly and efficiently converted into energy than long-chain triglycerides. It gives you more satiety, less fat gain, and increased ketone production. MCTs like C6, C8, and C12 are short chain length and rapidly convert to ketones. If you want the best results from ketosis, have a combination of C8 and C10 MCTs. [7]

Grass Fed Butter

Grass-fed butter is a good source of vitamins E, K2, and A. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed butter contains abundant antioxidants glutathione and superoxide dismutase. The grass-fed butter lends an unmistakable consistency and creaminess to bulletproof coffee. [8]

Does Bulletproof Coffee Break A Fast?

The short answer to this is yes. Bulletproof coffee has a lot of calories, and it will technically break your fast. However, the long answer is more complicated. Bulletproof coffee will break your fast if you follow a traditional fast where you do not eat anything for long.

However, bulletproof coffee will not hamper the process if you aim to stay in ketosis (when the body burns fat for fuel). Many people find that bulletproof coffee helps them stay in the ketosis stage. 

Let us take a look at another critical factor called autophagy. Fasting will set off autophagy, a process where the body cleanses itself. Studies have shown that if you eat fat and not carbs and proteins during fasting periods, the process of autophagy is not interrupted. [9]

Bulletproof coffee comprises high-quality fats gleaned from grass-fed butter and MCT oil. MCTs in coffee have been found to help autophagy. Bulletproof coffee will keep your body in the keto state without increasing insulin levels. Thus, you can consume bulletproof coffee during your fast. It will keep you satiated, and you can go for long fasting periods without feeling hunger pangs.

Why Should You Have Bulletproof Coffee While Intermittent Fasting?

Check out these benefits of having bulletproof coffee while you practice intermittent fasting.

1. Increased Energy

Beginners need help adhering to long fasting periods like the 16-hour fast. For them, bulletproof coffee is often suggested as it gives them an energy boost without spikes in blood sugar levels. Also, the MCT oil in bulletproof coffee takes a long time to break down and thus is a constant energy source during your fasting periods. 

2. Weight Loss

The principal aim of intermittent fasting is to let the body enter ketosis. For this, bulletproof coffee is quite beneficial as its constituent fats are ketogenic, helping induce ketosis and resulting in fat loss. 

3. Rich in Nutrients

Bulletproof coffee is rich in nutrients. The ghee or grass-fed butter in a single cup of bulletproof coffee has a punch of essential nutrients. These include omega-3 fatty acids, butyrates, and vitamins A, E, D, and K. These nutrients do not need any digestive enzyme for body synthesis. This lets bulletproof coffee give you a constant energy source during your fasting window. 

4. It Satiates You

Bulletproof coffee is a source of high-quality fats which keep us satiated during fasting windows. In bulletproof coffee, fats stimulate the release of different enzymes like leptin, making the body feel satiated. As we mentioned earlier, MCT oils are triglycerides that take a long time to synthesize so that you will feel fuller for an extended period.

5. Delivers a Caffeine Boost

Bulletproof coffee increases focus and cognitive ability. Caffeine in coffee can also aid metabolism, and that helps burn fat. Again, fasting for a long time will make you sluggish, and a cup of bulletproof coffee will give you the required shot in the arm, improving your performance and concentration. 

6. Blood Sugar Stabilization

Protein and carbohydrates need insulin to metabolize. If you have tea or milk with sweeteners in the morning, it will spike your insulin. After the spike, your blood sugar level will fall, making you feel sluggish. If you eat fats like that present in bulletproof coffee, your insulin levels will be stable and low. 

7. Better Workouts

Studies have shown that when mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) is suppressed initially, it bounces right back and triggers muscle building. If you combine intermittent fasting, bulletproof coffee, and working out, they suppress mTOR, after which your muscle building will get a boost. [10]  

Why Bulletproof Coffee Might Be Bad For You

Bulletproof coffee ingredients like MCT and butter were not on our diet friend list for a long time until recently. We all need a certain amount of MCTs and saturated fats to function optimally. Here are some reasons that bulletproof coffee may not be for you:

It is Not Sound Nutritionally

While bulletproof coffee does switch the body into fat-burning mode, it also lacks essential nutrients that our bodies need to function correctly. Many dieters habitually drink bulletproof coffee as a meal replacement, which stops them from getting all nutrients into their systems. Bulletproof coffee doesn’t contain enough nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support our bodies. 

Not for Paleo and Mediterranean Diets

Bulletproof coffee will only work for people on low-carb, high-fat diets. The ketogenic diet is an example of this, and those who practice other diets like paleo or Mediterranean consume more carbs ( carbohydrates from fruits, veggies, and whole grains). If you are on a high-fat and high-carb diet, weight loss will not happen. 

Excessive Fat May Be Bad For Your Health

Eating the right amount of saturated fat, like butter, is required for normal body functioning. However, consuming a lot of saturated fats from processed food like butter and oil is similar to excessive sugar consumption from refined sugar and fruits. Nutrient sources matter; the more whole foods you have, the better for you. 

It Raises Bad Cholesterol Levels

Studies have shown that a diet high in fats can increase your LDL levels (bad cholesterol) [11]. Hence, if you plan a high-fat diet with bulletproof coffee to sustain you for a month or over, it is essential to get your blood lipid profile done regularly. It will help you to keep a check on your cholesterol levels. 

Caffeine Intolerance

Bulletproof coffee is not a good idea if you are caffeine intolerant. You may have symptoms like palpitation, hyperactivity, and insomnia.

Additionally, if you have any health condition that keeps you from following a high-fat diet or a body mass index over 30, you should not go for bulletproof coffee. 

FAQs

Is Bulletproof Coffee Actually Good For Me?

While bulletproof coffee is a good choice for people on a keto diet, you shouldn’t replace regular meals with bulletproof coffee. It has high saturated fat and high-calorie content besides having no protein or fiber, meaning it is not a healthy breakfast choice. 

Does Bulletproof Coffee Help Lose Weight?

Bulletproof coffee triggers weight loss through ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body turns to fat stores for energy instead of carbs. Bulletproof coffee will help keep your body in a ketosis state longer, which is where you lose weight. 

What Is The Difference Between Regular And Bulletproof Coffee?

Regular coffee will have cream, coffee beans, and sugar. On the other hand, bulletproof coffee has coffee beans, two tablespoons of unsalted grass-fed butter, and two tablespoons of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil which contain healthy fats. 

Can I Have Bulletproof Coffee First Thing In The Morning?

Bulletproof coffee is best had on an empty stomach, and it will act as a fuel source and help you increase your workout intensity. 

Why Is Bulletproof Coffee Popular?

Bulletproof coffee has a signature taste and is popular for its mix of high-quality coffee beans and fats that will increase your focus, reduce food cravings, and help with weight loss. 

Conclusion

Can you drink bulletproof coffee while fasting? Yes, you can. If this coffee is consumed while fasting, it does not produce insulin, which makes fat available for burning as an energy source for your body. Hence, bulletproof coffee does not break fast if you consider long-term parameters. The different nutrients in bulletproof coffee will assist you in sustaining through the fast, especially if you are following a keto diet. 

Bulletproof coffee is worth a try if you are looking for a way to make your fasting experience more sustainable and easier to endure. The benefits of this drink can be achieved without putting you at risk for any side effects.

References

1. “Ketone Bodies: A Review of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Application of Monitoring to Diabetes – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Dec. 1999, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10634967.
2. Paoli, Antonio, et al. “Ketosis, Ketogenic Diet and Food Intake Control: A Complex Relationship.” PubMed Central (PMC), 2 Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4313585.
3. “A Ketogenic Diet Extends Longevity and Healthspan in Adult Mice – PubMed.” PubMed, 5 Sept. 2017, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28877457.
4. Krikorian, Robert, et al. “Dietary Ketosis Enhances Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment.” PubMed Central (PMC), 3 Dec. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116949.
5. “Caffeine Intake Is Related to Successful Weight Loss Maintenance – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Apr. 2016, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26554757.
6. “Caffeine Intake Increases Plasma Ketones: An Acute Metabolic Study in Humans – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Apr. 2017, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28177691.
7. “Effects of Diet High in Medium-chain Triglyceride on Plasma Ketone, Glucose, and Insulin Concentrations in Enterectomized and Normal Rats – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Apr. 1994, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7931723.
8. Daley, Cynthia A., et al. “A Review of Fatty Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Content in Grass-fed and Grain-fed Beef.” PubMed Central (PMC), 10 Mar. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846864.
9. Galluzzi, Lorenzo, et al. “Metabolic Control of Autophagy.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500936. Accessed 31 Jan. 2023.
10. “Coffee Consumption Promotes Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Myoblast Differentiation – PubMed.” PubMed, 21 Feb. 2018, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29359224.
11. “Effect of High-fat Diet on Cholesterol Distribution in Plasma Lipoproteins, Cholesterol Esterifying Activity in Leucocytes, and Erythrocyte Membrane Components Studied: Importance of Body Weight – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Dec. 1986, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3788831.

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