The benefits of coconut oil have been proven again and again. It can be used as a house cleaner or even made into custom beauty products, including hair care. The benefits of coconut oil for skin care are almost endless. But coconut oil can be beneficial if ingested as well. One of the ways people benefit from coconut oil is by mixing it into their morning cup of coffee.
It sounds outrageous, but it’s true! If you’ve never tried this, you may be hesitant. But it’s becoming more and more popular among the health-conscious and for a good reason!
Coconut oil is a 3-chain fatty acid, compromised of MCTs. Coconut oil also has lauric acid, which is beneficial for fighting off infections, boosting your metabolism, and improving your digestive tract.
5 reasons you should try coconut oil in coffee
Along with providing your body the much-needed fats, there are five primary reasons that you’ll want to try adding coconut oil to your coffee:
- Increased Energy
- Improved Metabolism
- Decreased Appetite
- Boosted Immune System
- Weight Loss
That’s right! Adding coconut oil in coffee can help you if you’re trying to lose weight too! As you can probably guess, this is a combination of the increased energy and decreased appetite. The improved metabolism helps as well because it can help your body to break-down the bad fats. There are fats present in coconut oil, but they are the kind your body needs and uses for energy. Hence, the increase in energy you’ll feel. Naturally, this additional energy can help to keep you moving and motivated towards your goals. Of course, you can’t lose weight just by adding coconut oil to your coffee. You’ll need to maintain your personal work-out routine as well.
Also, adding more coconut oil does not increase the benefits and may have a negative effect.
Do you need to blend coconut oil in coffee?
There are three different ways to enjoy coconut oil in your coffee.
- Stirred
- Blended
- Shaken
If you are choosing to stir the oil into your coffee, you will see some separation. This is because of the different textures, but it’s nothing to worry about. You’ll still get all the same benefits. The unfortunate part of stirring coconut oil is that it creates an oily film in your coffee. Most people find this texture to be unpleasant. If you’re not crazy about the idea, then blending is a better option.
The reason more people choose to blend coconut oil in their coffee is because it mixes properly. As an added bonus, you’ll get a nice froth on the surface that will remind you of a delicious latte from Starbucks. All from the comfort of your own home!
Alternatively, you can put the ingredients in a thermos and just shake them together. It’s not as luxurious as a froth, but it works well if you’re in a rush or on-the-go.
When you’re making your coffee, this is the basic ingredient mix:
- 1 cup of coffee
- 1 or 2 teaspoons of coconut oil
- (any sweetening agent you may use)
- (any creamer you may use)
If you’re not used to cooking with coconut oil, you’ll want to introduce it gradually. It can cause intestinal distress if you ingest too much too suddenly. Start with one teaspoon once a day. After a week, you can continue with 2 teaspoons a day.
Note: Adding hot coffee to a blender can cause a HUGE mess if you’re not careful! You need to let some of the steam escape before closing the blender. This isn’t a problem when you’re mixing the ingredients by hand, but can also be a problem with the shaking method.
Are there side effects to coconut oil in coffee?
As with anything, moderation is the key. You don’t want to 12 spoons of coconut oil in your coffee because there’s a chance it’s going to go right through you. Coconut oil does increase metabolism, after all. This means it improves your digestive track as well. If you’re blocked up, this is a great way to get things moving. But, you don’t want things to move too fast, either. Avoid coconut oil in your coffee if you drink afternoon coffees. It’s best to ingest it in the morning.
Diarrhea and intestinal distress are two of the main side-effects to coconut oil. Some people may experience allergic reactions or acne breakouts. If you’re unsure how coconut oil will react with your body and skin, you’ll want to test it on your arm first.
Of course, there are different types of coconut oil on the market. Many of the side-effects of coconut oil can be avoided by avoiding the commercial grade coconut oil. Instead, opt for all-natural virgin coconut oil. It has the same benefits but will reduce your exposure to the side-effects.
