Does the Bulletproof Coffee recipe have any bad effects?

For the uninitiated, the Bulletproof Diet and Bulletproof Coffee has been gaining popularity over the last year or so.  The bulletproof mantra ties into keto diets (high fat, medium proteins, and low carbs), intermittent fasting (adding in planned times of fasting into your diet), and the quantified self (measuring as much as you can about your body), each of which has its own devout followers.  But, are there bad effects of Bulletproof Coffee?

That’s a loaded question (gun pun unintended).

The founder of Bulletproof Coffee and the ensuing phenomenon has an interesting story.  He took a trip to Tibet, came across Yak drinks that were high in fat, and essentially figured he’d combine it into his morning routine with coffee.  Bulletproof Coffee is essentially a lot of butter and MCT oil.

Although quoting scientific articles, and anecdotal evidence based on his own measurements of improvements in his life, the evidence is far from settled.

Some things, like weight loss (from “medium chain triglycerides” ie MCT mentioned above) is true, just minimally so.

There are also claims that most coffee has certain molds on it that inhibit your performance.  And, well, these molds technically exist in coffees.  It is just that these molds are again in extremely small quantities, many multitudes below what is deemed safe.

But, is that the worst of it?  So, you have a marketing machine with over-blown claims, what else is new?

Well, the harm can potentially come from following the whole Bulletproof trend behind it.  Asprey recommends skipping breakfast entirely in favor of his Bulletproof Coffee, and that you will shed pounds.

Replacing a meal in general will lead to weight loss, whether keto/paleo/low-carb friendly or not.  When you consider that, it kind of places any actual weight loss into iffy territory, claiming the cause is due to the special Bulletproof Diet, and not the caloric restriction.

Evidence is starting to pile up, however, that even though weight loss may occur, that cholesterol is shooting through the roof for many Bulletproof adherents.  Which, is another “no duh” kind of moment when you consider you’re eating a stick of butter for breakfast.

And, although it perhaps should not need stating, but a well-balanced meal being replaced by buttered coffee is going to mean fewer nutrients for your body.

So, is Bulletproof Coffee likely to have bad effects?  In moderation it seems that it would likely be a good thing.  But, should you do it consistently and replace a meal with it?  Probably not.  Have a well-balanced meal and maybe a single cup of Bulletproof coffee every once in awhile.

What do you guys think?  Have you ever tried Bulletproof Coffee, or the diet surrounding it?  Let us know what you think in the comments.