Snack Hack 9 – Bulletproof Coffee – Buttered coffee with a few personal additions 

Welcome back to another snack hack. These are clear and actionable tips that can be used to get the best out of your body, mind and spirit.

Today I am going to discuss why bulletproof coffee is great addition to your day. I’ll introduce my own recipe for bulletproof coffee and detail why the adjustments I’ve made could be worth considering.

So, what is bulletproof coffee? For those whose don’t know, it’s essentially coffee with butter and coconut oil combined within it. It goes by the name ‘bulletproof’ as famous biohacker Dave Asprey (creator of the Bulletproof brand) is generally credited for popularising it.

It is worth noting that some interesting research has been released that highlights the significant positive health outcomes for coffee drinks, but as in most things in life, moderation is key.

So let’s geek out a little on the ingredient list for bulletproof coffee. Butter is key, but not just any old butter, grass fed butter is whats wanted. 

Many cows will be fed a diet which is predominately grains based as opposed to a more favourable grass based diet. This serves to up the quantity of Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids held within the cow’s fat profile and by digesting this yourself, you will further increase the inflammatory Omega 6s you are already likely getting in your diet. This is a big issue in the western diet where a diet adjusted to higher Omega 3 fatty acids is more desirable for everything from supporting your brain to develop to reducing inflammation in the body.

Still keeping with butter, it also needs to organic. This will likely be a given if you’re ensuring you get grass fed butter. Being organic will serve to ensure the animal has not been exposed to excessive antibiotics and growth hormones. 

Aside from the clear ethical considerations for the animal’s welfare, poisons and toxins will predominately be stored in the fat of animals so to ensure no exposure to these nasties, organic grass fed butter is a crucial ingredient for your coffee. 

Next up we have the coconut oil. Although extra virgin coconut oil without doubt is a good option as it has, amongst other things, a positive neuro protective effect, Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) oil is a concentrated version that is more favourable due to it being broken down to a few different fats (the MCTs) which are used by the body far more efficiently for generating energy. 

MCTs don’t require bile to be broken down because MCTs are shorter than other fats and they’re transported directly to the bloodstream through your portal vein. All this means is that you can quickly get energy from MCTs and your body won’t be inclined to store them as fat. Result!

So that’s the butter and MCT oil which makes up your standard bulletproof coffee. Here are my three additions to my daily bulletproof coffee:

1. Collagen

Collagen is a protein found in skin, tendons and connective tissues of the body. Many people will bypass these parts of an animal such as chicken or beef, therefore limiting their intake of collagen. 

But what is so special about collagen? Many a reason I tell you. Collagen helps elasticity in the skin, promote joint health and slow degradation, improve digestion and reduce inflammation as well as improving mood and sleep! A pretty impressive boom for your buck.

2. Cocoa powder 

Cocoa powder is actually a pretty incredible supplement with some powerful qualities. Cocoa powder is a good source of potassium, an essential mineral found in plants which regulates heartbeat, blood pressure, and sodium levels. 

Cocoa powder also contains phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, which build bones, tissues and nerves in the body. There is also choline, folate, and lutein, which help maintain healthy nervous systems, cell membranes, skin and vision.

Lastly, cocoa powder contains the antioxidants catechins and procyanidins. These antioxidants helps neutralise free radicals in the body that are byproducts of metabolism and our environment.

For more of cocoa powders healing benefits, including increasing insultin sensitivity and improving memory and over all brain health, read this historical post; 
http://whatsuppblogblog.com/2017/03/05/chocolate-a-superfood/

3. Maca powder 

Macs powder comes from the maca root. It is rich in nutrients and actually has a higher calcium level than milk. It had a relatively high amount of absorbable plant-based nutrients, including protein, fiber, calcium and magnesium, among others.

Maca Root benefits include increased fertility in both men and women, hormone balance, booster for the immune system, and increased energy, stamina, improved sexual function, memory, and focus. 

The Maca root is an adaptogen and a member of the cruciferous family, like broccoli and cabbage. Adaptogens are a name given to certain herbs, plants, and natural substances that help the body naturally adapt to stressors like a busy schedule, demanding job, or illness. 

You can read a little more about them in the bellow article about cruciferous vegetables;
http://whatsuppblogblog.com/2017/05/07/the-powerhouse-veg/

Recipe 

Ok so I’ve laid out what my bulletproof coffee is made up of. You can tinker around with quantities and be mindful of seeking to enter nutritional ketosis, the amounts of additional extras aside from fat will have a bearing. Hope you enjoy your bulletproof coffee whatever additions you do or don’t make! 

Serves 2 cups of coffee –

– 1 Tble spoon of grass fed butter (I like Kerrygold, it’s one of the few that actually labels that it’s from grass fed cows).
– 1 – 2 Tsps of MCT oil (build up slowly, this can have toilet inducing effects!)
– 1 tsp of cocoa powder 
– 1 tsp of maca powder 
– 1 heaped Tble spoon of collagen (I like Great Lakes beef gelatine hydrolysate collagen as it’s organic, grass fed and tasteless)
– Blend together and enjoy!