Many coffee drinkers brew their morning cup with sugar or cream, but increasingly more are adding butter for an alternative take on Bulletproof Coffee. Created by Dave Asprey to improve brain function and curb cravings, his version includes grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) oil to aid weight loss while simultaneously sharpening his mind. It has since become a trend among paleo and low carb dieters alike and even Matt Lauer taste-tested it on TODAY Show! But is this high fat beverage really healthy?

At its core, butter coffee consists of mixing black coffee with butter. You can easily create this beverage at home by brewing a cup of your preferred coffee, whisking in one tablespoon of coconut or MCT oil along with one teaspoon of butter from grass-fed cows for optimal flavor and health benefits. Margarine often contains unhealthy vegetable oils as well as added chemical components; for optimal flavor and health benefits opt for organic non-homogenized butter produced directly by grass-fed cows instead.

MCT oil and grass-fed butter contain healthy fats that help your body generate energy while keeping you feeling full longer. But be careful not to consume too much MCT oil or butter at once; too much fat can easily cause stomach discomfort. For newcomers to butter coffee, start off slowly by adding one teaspoon of MCT oil and one teaspoon of butter at first before gradually increasing these quantities over time.

Keto coffee brew is deliciously satisfying and, combined with cinnamon or ginger for flavoring, makes an exceptional flavored coffee beverage. Additionally, its sugar-free nature is ideal for anyone cutting back on sweeteners or trying the ketogenic diet to lose weight. Depending on which recipe you select, one cup may contain up to 500 calories; that could add up quickly if consumed to fuel a day full of activities or for weight loss efforts.

Butter coffee contains calories as well as saturated fats that can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to heart disease. Most recipes call for two tablespoons of butter which contains around 14 grams of saturated fat – more than what the American Heart Association advises is consumed daily!

If you’re curious to try butter coffee for yourself, there are numerous recipes online. Just be sure to use optimal water, such as filtered or spring water, and grass-fed butter of high quality (avoid processed and non-grass fed varieties which tend to contain trans-fats that clog arteries). Also try not adding added sugars – natural sweeteners such as Stevia, Raw Honey or Maple Syrup will add an extra touch of sweetness while keeping health at the forefront. Frothers can help mix all of ingredients evenly in one cup!