What are the Benefits of MCT Oil in Coffee?

What is MCT Oil?

For some, adding anything to coffee is complete blasphemy—cream and sugar? Get outta here. Butter? Are you KIDDING ME? We like our coffee as black and dark as the black hole where our hearts should be. 

However, for those looking for even more energy to kickstart their mornings, MCT oil might do the trick. So, what exactly is MCT oil? MCT oil is a man-made extraction of medium-chain triglycerides (where the acronym is from) from natural sources like palm kernel oil and coconut oil. 

MCT oil is clear, odorless, and flavorless, so if you add it into your coffee, it doesn't add any extra flavor but can provide a number of health benefits.

[Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash]

Why are MCTs Important?

MCTs play an important role in the body because they are broken down quickly and sent directly to the liver. Unlike long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs are not usually stored as fat because the body can uses them as energy very quickly. 

MCT Oil is often used by people following a low carb keto diet or paleo diet. These diets focus on eliminating carbs (high in LCTs) and substituting healthy fats in order to lose weight. Without carbs, the body and brain don't have the typical amount of glucose needed for energy, so they have to use an alternate fuel, which is produced by the liver in the form of molecules called ketones. 

Ketone production forces the body into a metabolic state that only happens when it doesn't have enough carbs to make glucose, called ketosis. The keto diet thrives on a state of ketosis because this is when your body burns stored fat and can result in weight loss. Since MCT oil provides the body with additional ketones, a keto dieter will experience an extra boost of energy and aid in keeping the body in a state of ketosis.

What are the Health Benefits of MCT Oil?

Even if you're not on the keto diet, there are many reasons to add some MCT oil to your coffee. When you mix MCT oil into your diet, it's been shown to: 

• Increase metabolic rate
• Suppress appetite
• Burn calories
• Enhance endurance during exercise
• Aid in weight loss and nutrition
• Reduce lactate buildup in athletes and runners
• Reduce insulin resistance and inflammation
• Improve cognitive function and mental clarity in patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's 

If you're looking for an extra boost in the morning with some crazy health benefits, give MCT oil a try. 

RELATED: Best Ways to Drink Coffee on the Keto Diet