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Is Bulletproof coffee healthy?

 

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This helpful, healthful article is brought to you by Living Better by Piedmont.

What is “Bulletproof coffee” and is it actually good for you?

Bulletproof coffee is touted as a breakfast replacement that supposedly promotes weight loss, suppresses hunger, improves focus and boosts energy. The recipe goes something like this:

  • 2 cups of brewed coffee
  • 2 tablespoons (minimum) of grass-fed, unsalted butter
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of a special blend of coconut and palm oil
  • Mix in a blender until creamy and frothy

To some coffee lovers, the thought of butter in their coffee does not sound appetizing, but to others who are always on the lookout for a quick fix, Bulletproof coffee is becoming quite a craze. But are these health claims fact or fiction? Randy Martin, M.D., a cardiologist at Piedmont Heart Institute, sheds some light on this trendy cup of joe.

“The health benefits of Bulletproof coffee are very limited, if any,” says Dr. Martin. “Multiple studies have proven coffee itself is great for you, packed with thousands of compounds, of which caffeine is only a very small percentage. But there is very limited scientific proof of Bulletproof coffee having any benefits at all.”

Other health implications to consider before making this trendy drink a morning staple:

  • Bulletproof coffee can add up to 450 calories and 50 grams of fat.
  • Butter is high in saturated fat and this drink can contain more than 100 percent of your recommended daily allowance. Health experts say too much saturated fat may increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • No type of coffee can sufficiently replace all the essential nutrients and vitamins in a balanced breakfast meal.

Dr. Martin adds, “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

For more great tips on eating and living healthy every day visit piedmont.org/livingbetter.

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