There's only one mantra in the morning for all those night owls: where there is coffee, there is life.
If you're not a morning person, then you know how important caffeine can be to jiggle the mind and wake up your body.
Well, even if you are a morning person, let's get real: having the first cup of coffee in the morning is priceless. The bearable lightness of being all by yourself, tasting the bittersweet elixir of life, preparing for your day.
But hey, enough with the poetry.
A recent trend claims that there are some benefits if you add a bit of coconut oil to your coffee, and we're eager to know all details.
What's The Hype With The Coconut Oil?
Some of us may have the feeling that these days, we tend to add coconut oil to everything.
Need a scrub? Mix honey, coconut oil, and brown sugar!
Your body butter package is empty, and you forgot to buy a new one? No probs, just rub some coconut oil on your skin!
Ran out of hair mask? Don't worry, coconut oil can save your day!
From head to toe, coconut oil can find its way to get on our body. And that's not all.
Many people think that the saturated fats in coconut oil can be good for our health, so this is where the trend came from.
Could Help You Stay In Ketosis
We've learned this in science class: there are good fats and bad fats. And they have a different purpose.
Science says that MCTs (medium-chain triacylglycerols) are found in coconut oil. It might sound unbelievable, but MCTs are related to losing weight.
However, there is an explanation for everything.
Thanks to the MCTs, coconut oil can help you in ketosis. This is the main reason why coconut oil is so popular among those who are following any ketogenic diet with low-carb and high-fat ingredients.
These fats are easily absorbed and delivered to your liver in an instant. Of course, they're used as an energy source that can keep your body moving throughout the whole day. The amount that doesn't get absorbed turns into ketones.
Also, MCT oils convert to ketones more easily than any other type of fat.
Benefits Of Coconut Oil In Coffee
It is a well-known fact that coconut oil contains saturated fats, but they are not the enemy that needs to be pointed at.
On the contrary, experts claim that there can be many benefits from adding it to your coffee. And you just need to be careful with the dosage, that's all.
Improves Energy Level
Coconut oil is listed as a superfood, and we all know that superfoods can be a good source of energy.
This is related to the fact how MCTs are easily absorbed and processed in the liver, and energy kicks in faster than usual. Combined with the caffeine in coffee, it acts as fuel and keeps us energized and moving.
Immune Support
There is a key ingredient that coconut oil has and it's called lauric acid.
The interesting thing is that coconut oil is high in lauric acid since it makes up about 50% of the MCTs present in the oil.
Wondering how all of this can be good for your immune system?
Lauric acid contains antimicrobial properties, and this is everything you need to know. These properties have shown useful in treating conditions such as flu, cold sores, fever blisters, and the common cold.
Improves Brain Function
Even birds in the trees know how caffeine stimulates brain activity.
It works its magic by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine.
Guess who's fault is when you feel sleepy? Yup, adenosine. Guilty as charged.
Some studies show how combining caffeine with MTCs can help in battling conditions such as Alzheimer's, epilepsy, or autism.
No, this is not the magic ingredient that will erase the disease, but it could help to keep everything under control.
Helps Digestion
At first glance, it may sound like an unbelievable instance, but here are the facts.
Coffee gives a push and moves all things around there in the morning. By adding coconut oil to it, you help your bowel to maintain the regular movements your body needs.
The intake of MCTs can help in regulating your metabolism and keeps your digestive system healthy.
Just remember - moderation is the key to success. Don't be generous with the amount of coconut oil. Even a little can do a lot.
Side Effects And Downsides
Adding coconut oil to your coffee is good if it's in controlled portions. But this doesn't mean that it doesn't have its downsides too.
Everything needs to be in small dosages. The same base rule applies to this as well.
Allergic Reaction
No matter what you do, your safety should always be in the first position.
The popular trends can be healthy and beneficial, but first of all, make sure that you're not allergic to coconuts. It is a rare condition, but better be safe than sorry.
High Doses Of MCT Could Lead To A Buildup Of Fat In The Liver
Repetition is the mother of learning.
Although the MCTs in coconut oil are safe, you should be careful when you're consuming them.
Some evidence shows that if you take larger amounts of coconut oil over a larger period, your liver might be put at risk.
The levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can increase too, and we don't want it in our bodies, especially not above the allowed limits.
Low In Nutrients
People who are close to the ketogenic diet usually need high-fat ingredients in their meals.
Coconut oil is the go-to thing, but you should know that it can't replace a good breakfast.
It's good to know that coconut oil is a low-nutrient ingredient. And although you should feel free to add it to your coffee, don't misplace it as a meal, and don't skip your breakfast.
It's not a meal, it's just coffee after all.
Could Be Dangerous If You Have Certain Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions require attention and awareness when practicing these current trends.
You should be careful if you are suffering from pancreas inflammation or gallbladder.
Asking yourself why?
These are some very sensitive conditions, and consuming some extra fat could do you more harm than good.
Feel free to skip the coconut oil if in any case, this sounds like your diagnose.
What Would Happen If You Drink Coconut Oil In You Coffee For 7 Days?
If the question pops into your mind, then this might be a sign to give it a try for a week. One week may sound like nothing, but it will be enough to see if coconut oil coffee is your cup of coffee or not.
Overall, people that tried to implement this ritual in their coffee routine claim that the first day was the hardest.
If you like to keep your coffee game simple, then you might need some time to adjust to the new taste.
The changes start kicking in from the fifth day on. The brain gets familiar with coconut oil, and you might be able to start feeling more concentrated and alert.
By the end of your first week, you'll notice the levels of energy raising the bar of your body's limits.
The Bottom Line
It's not easy to say whether adding coconut to your coffee is healthy or not.
As we already know - there is not just black and white. The truth hides behind the shades of grey. And there are hundreds, and maybe thousands of different grey tones.
However, less is more.
Consult your doctor if you suffer from certain medical conditions, and keep an eye on the dose of coconut oil you put in your coffee.
Grab The Coconut Oil Coffee Recipe
There are dozens of coconut oil coffee recipes circulating all over the Internet.
One thing is true: since there are so many versions of it, everybody could easily find something good for themselves.
On the other side, for all those people who want to play safe - here's a recipe to try out the next time you crave coffee!
Ingredients:
coffee
1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil
Brew your coffee as you normally do. Then the easiest thing would be to add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil and stir it with a spoon.
But keep in mind that you could mix it better if you pour the coffee into a blender. It might sound weird, but it will help you smooth the consistency of your coffee.
Blend the coffee until it reaches a lighter brown shade, and that's all.
Pour it into your favorite mug and enjoy your coconut oil coffee!
How does adding coconut oil to your coffee sound at all - would you give it a try? Always remember to start slowly and work your way up gradually by taking baby steps.
