Coconut Oil Coffee Benefits: 8 Surprising Reasons Why It’s a Good Idea

It might not look like the tastiest brew, but coconut oil coffee benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Read on to learn why you should start putting coconut oil in your coffee!

Reasons Why You Should Start Putting Coconut Oil In Your Coffee

I started putting two tablespoons of coconut oil into my coffee a few months ago, and it’s surprisingly tasty. It’s also healthy too. Coconut oil saw its popularity boom during the mid to late 2010s as Americans slowly started to lean toward buying plant-based products. In fact, 62% of households in the United States are buying plant-based foods, and around 465,000 metric tons of coconut oil were consumed domestically in 2021.

Some coffee lovers bill coconut oil in coffee as a simpler version of bulletproof coffee. You can tap into the benefits of coconut oil in coffee by adding one to two tablespoons to your drink. These include increased energy, improved mental clarity, and better digestion.

1. Coconut Oil In Coffee Aids Weighloss

Coffee can aid in raising metabolism, increasing your metabolic rate while at rest to as much as 4%, and stimulating your body to burn more fat. Add coconut oil, which also contains compounds that help with weight loss, and you have the perfect diet pair!

Coffee with coconut oil is also ideal if you are on a keto or paleo diet, as the oil is pure fat and contains ketones! What is great about this combo is that they also work together to curb your appetite while burning calories. Thanks to the coconut oil’s MCT (medium-chain triacylglycerols), your coffee’s calorie-burning effect is boosted while the caffeine suppresses constant feelings of hunger.

However, take note that a drawback of coconut oil is that it can have a laxative effect. Plus, it contains a lot of fat, so overdoing it can cause weight gain. Add small amounts of oil, around two tablespoons daily, until your body adjusts accordingly.

2. It Gives You Energy Faster

Coconut oil works well with coffee, giving you that big energy boost you need in the morning. Since it is composed of medium-chain fatty acids, it takes a detour during digestion and makes its way directly through the liver. They are then turned into a quick energy source. 

couple jogging
One benefit of putting coconut oil in coffee includes an early morning energy boost

This process is ideal if you have an active lifestyle, especially if you are the type to wake up early for a morning jog. You might also want to check out our list of the best coffee to drink before your workout and try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil.

3. It’s Good For Cardiovascular Health

Caffeine encourages mental stimulation, increasing your alertness by allowing neurotransmitters to flow freely. This effect is supplemented by coconut oil as its ketone content also serves as fuel to improve mental alertness.  Read our Keto coffee guide.

However, this energy boost occasionally brings a disadvantage as one of coffee’s side effects is increased blood pressure. Thankfully, this is counteracted by the coconut oil’s ability to prevent this side effect and improve cardiovascular and endothelial functions.

4. It’s Suitable For Diabetics

Putting coconut oil in coffee adds a tropical flavor. It is naturally sweet. As a bonus, coconut oil also has a substance called lauric acid which, according to studies, can help prevent and or safeguard you from specific diabetic issues. Add the coffee’s propensity to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and you have an amazingly healthy and delicious cup of Joe.

5. It Improves Oral Hygiene

As it turns out, coconut oil can help keep your teeth and gums healthy! Although more research needs to be conducted, a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine showed that coconut oil is potent in killing the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and other harmful microorganisms associated with bad breath and gum disease! 

Take note that its efficacy relies heavily on oil pulling, meaning you have to swish coconut oil around your mouth and teeth. You might want to add that to your oral hygiene routine – without the coffee since it stains your teeth. 

6. It Can Help Prevent Neurological Disorders

Promising studies show that the oil may prevent or mitigate neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. It is theorized that it is because of ketones. For instance, a common issue afflicting Alzheimer’s patients is their inability to absorb glucose efficiently. This results in a lack of glucose in the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment. 

bottle of glucose
Lack of glucose in the brain causes cognitive impairment

Ketones serve as an alternative energy source or “glucose substitute.” Since insulin isn’t required for ketones to be absorbed by the body, they can freely enter the bloodstream and make their way to the brain. Read our coconut oil coffee recipe.

7. It’s Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. They are often associated with oxidative stress, which has been linked to a host of health problems, from inflammation and aging to chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer. Coconut oil contains several types of antioxidants.

These antioxidants may help reduce oxidative stress in your body by neutralizing radicals. This can potentially slow the aging process, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of chronic disease.

8. It Aids Mental Clarity

When you consume coconut oil, such as by adding it to your coffee, which is stored and transported directly to your liver, where it can be converted into ketones. Ketones are an alternative energy source for the brain, particularly useful when glucose is in short supply. This efficient energy conversion process may enhance cognitive performance and provide a mental boost, especially in conditions of high mental demand or where supply is compromised.

Preliminary evidence suggests ketones might have neuroprotective properties. They could help preserve neuron health. Additionally, drinking coffee and adding a bit of coconut oil could potentially confer these benefits for those who enjoy drinking coffee.

FAQs About Coconut Oil Coffee Benefits

Does Coconut Oil Dissolve Easily In A Cup Of Coffee?

Fortunately, yes! The hotter your coffee is, the faster it will dissolve. Using a food processor or Vitamix to make yourself a coffee shake with coconut oil is possible, too!

Does Coconut Oil Have Disadvantages?

Excess coconut oil consumption has drawbacks. Since it is high in saturated fat, it can raise bad cholesterol levels and increase your risk of developing heart disease. In addition, due to its laxative effect, it can cause diarrhea. 

Try to limit your coconut oil in coffee to just two tablespoons a day.

Author

  • Renz Lyndon Paguio

    His love for java originated from sidewalk vendors offering cheap 3-in-1 instant coffees poured in styrofoam cups. If he’s not in a studio or in an event venue, you’ll find RL crafting his own cold brew or sharing his experiences to fellow coffeephiles.