7 Reasons Why MCT Oil In Coffee Is A Healthy Option Even If You Are Not On Keto

You can add creamer, sugar, or milk to your coffee, but what about MCT oil? This article will discuss why MCT oil is worth putting in your morning cup of coffee.

Why MCT Oil In Coffee
Bulletproof coffee is the combination of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, grass-fed butter, and of course, coffee

Many people are willing to try anything if it means losing weight or leading a healthier lifestyle. Keto coffee, also known as bulletproof coffee, is a popular drink that promotes wellness.

Bulletproof coffee is the combination of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, grass-fed butter, and of course, coffee. While coffee with breakfast is nothing new, this is a game changer. Here are some reasons why MCT oil in coffee is a good choice, even if you’re not on a keto diet.

1. MCT Oil Can Aid In Weight Loss

Despite the conflicting results of recent studies, there are some possible reasons why MCT oil can aid in weight loss. It has been proven that consuming MCT oil can increase leptin and peptide YY production, which are hormones. These hormones can help the body feel sated. A study has shown that people who consumed two tablespoons of MCT oil with their breakfast ate less for lunch than those who consumed coconut oil.

According to some older studies, consuming MCT oil could help reduce waist circumference and overall body weight. The authors also reported that it may prevent obesity. Remember that some of these studies do not consider other factors, such as activity levels and calorie consumption. 

MCTs can also be converted into compounds known as ketones. These are fuel our body uses when when reduce carbs. If you are following a keto diet, consuming MCT oil may help you remain in ketosis.

2. MCT Oil Can Be An Energy Source

MCT oil coconut in display
MCTs can travel through the body quicker due to their shorter chains

The body absorbs MCTs quicker than LCTs, which have more carbon molecules in their fatty acid chains. MCTs can travel faster to the liver due to their shorter chains, and they do not need bile in order to break down, unlike LCTs. 

Fats are broken down in the liver where they are stored as fat or used as fuel. MCTs are used as a source of energy because they can enter your cells without needing to be broken down.

MCTs are also turned into ketones in the liver. They can cross the blood-brain barrier, which makes them an energy source for brain cells.

3. MCT Oil Can Halt Lactate Accumulation

During workouts, increasing lactate levels can inhibit your performance. One study noted that people who consumed one and a half teaspoons of MCT oil with a meal before they cycled had reduced lactate levels; lactic acid can cause cramps during exercise. 

Furthermore, one study has shown that consuming MCT oil before workouts can help your body use more fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. 

The evidence for MCT oil’s potential to improve your performance is conflicting, but MCTs may help increase fat burning during workouts. One animal study showed that MCT oil does not negatively affect exercise performance.

4. MCT Oil Can Help Manage Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism, And Epilepsy

Research has found that MCT oil and a keto diet can help with the management of the likes of epilepsy, autism, and Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease can impair the ability of your brain to use sugar. An MCT keto diet offers an alternative source of energy — ketones. This may mean brain cells can survive better. It can also block a receptor in the brain, behind memory loss. 

Research found that even after one serving of MCTs, short-term memory improved in 20 people with Alzheimer’s disease with the APOE ɛ4-negative gene type. A study showed that the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease might be slightly improved by 20 to 70 grams of supplemental MCTs that contain caprylic or capric acid, even though genetic factors play a part.

Overall, the positive effects of MCT oil for those with Alzheimer’s disease are promising, but further research is still needed.

Autism

MCT oil may also have a positive effect on autistic children. One study showed improvements after a six-month keto diet.  

Since autism is on a spectrum, it may affect people differently. So, including MCT oil in your child’s diet may help to a varying extent or may show no effects at all. Consult your doctor before introducing your child to MCT oil.

Epilepsy

The keto diet has become popular among people who want to lose weight, but it was first introduced to manage epilepsy. Studies have shown that fasting increases the production of ketones, which may reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. Since MCTs can be converted into ketones, they may help manage epilepsy. 

The type of MCT is important — one study showed that MCT capric acid improved epileptic seizure control better than an anti-epileptic drug. One animal study also showed that the same MCT blocked receptors in the brain, which cause seizures; however, more human trials are still needed.

Consult your doctor before going on a keto diet.

5. MCT Oil Contains Fatty Acids That Reduce Yeast And Bacterial Growth

MCT oil has may also have antifungal and antimicrobial effects. MCT oil, which is made from coconut oil, could reduce Candida albicans growth by 25%. Candida albicans is a type of yeast that causes thrush and different skin infections. 

Another study suggested coconut oil could reduce the growth of a disease-causing bacteria known as Clostridioides difficile. The ability of coconut oil to reduce bacterial growth and yeast may be because of the capric, lauric, and caprylic acids in MCTs.

Remember that most MCT research has been carried out in-vitro or on animals. Human-based studies are still needed before coming up with a stronger conclusion. 

6. MCT Oil May Reduce Heart Disease Risk Factors

a woman in an apparent pain holding her chest
Consuming MCT oil can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing the production of good cholesterol (HDL).

The following factors increase your risk for heart disease:

  • Body mass index
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol levels
  • Inflammation
  • Smoking

As mentioned earlier, MCT oil can aid in weight loss. As a result, this may also help cut down your risk for heart disease.

One study showed that overweight men who consumed MCT oil with flaxseed oil and phytosterols reduced their cholesterol levels by 12.5%. Their cholesterol levels only lowered by 4.7% when olive oil was consumed instead of MCT oil.

The same study showed that consuming MCT oil may reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing the production of good cholesterol (HDL).

7. MCT Oil Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

People with diabetes may also benefit from consuming MCT oil. MCTs can increase fat burning and reduce stored fats, which can help manage the condition.

One study with diabetic participants has shown that daily consumption of MCT oil reduces waist circumference, insulin resistance, and overall body weight. Another study showed that those when who consume MCT oil took insulin, they required 30% less sugar than normal to regulate their blood sugar levels.

With that said, the study found that MCT oil has no effect on blood sugar levels when fasting. Remember, what you eat and when will play a role in how MCT oil works.

MCT Oil In Coffee Recipes

The following recipes will help you introduce MCT to your coffee.

Keto Power Coffee

Ingredients:

  • Eight ounces of hot coffee
  • Half a cup of unsweetened almond milk 
  • One scoop of MCT oil powder (vanilla or chocolate flavored)
  • One teaspoon of grass-fed butter 

Method:

Step 1: Make The Coffee

Make a cup of coffee like normal.

Step 2: Blend

Add the coffee the the rest of the ingredients into a blender. Blend for approximately 10 seconds or until the texture is frothy.

Step 3: Serve

Serve and enjoy!

Creamy Cocoa Butter Coffee

Ingredients:

  • Eight ounces of hot coffee
  • One scoop of chocolate MCT oil powder 
  • One tablespoon of unsalted butter 
  • Half a scoop of chocolate flavored protein powder 
  • One tablespoon of heavy cream

Method:

Step 1: Brew The Coffee

Make a cup of coffee like normal.

Step 2: Blend

Mix your coffee, chocolate MCT oil powder, heavy cream, unsalted butter, chocolate protein powder into a blender. Blend the mixture for approximately 15 seconds or until the right consistency is achieved.

Step 3: Serve

Serve and enjoy!

Other MCT Oil Recipes

MCT oil can be added to other meals throughout the day — in addition to simply putting it in coffee. For example, some people prefer to put MCT oil in their smoothies to get more nutrients compared to what a bulletproof coffee can provide.

Another option is to use MCT oil to substitute for canola or olive oil when cooking. It can also be added to salad dressings or as a veggie dip. 

You may also be interested in reading our guide on how to make keto coffee and our explainer on why bulletproof coffee is a must for health-conscious coffee drinkers.

Author

  • Aisling O'Connor

    Aisling is an Irish food and drinks writer and journalist fueled by coffee and herbal tea. She followed up her journalism degree with nutrition studies. Find Aisling on LinkedIn.