Adherents of the ketogenic diet, as it turns out, have come up with their own version of America’s favorite beverage – coffee.

First developed in the 1920s as a way to address childhood epilepsy, the ketogenic diet is a program that basically restricts an individual’s carbohydrate intake to less than 25 grams per day. This, according to experts, spurs the body to enter a state of ketosis.

Ketosis, according to experts, is the metabolic state in which the body uses its stored fats as its primary energy source. Once it enters a state of ketosis, the body begins to break down its fat stores while the liver produces ketones, an organic compound that can be used as a supplementary fuel.

This is where keto coffee comes into the picture.

Similar to bulletproof coffee — which was patterned by Silicon Valley executive Dave Asprey on the traditional butter tea served up in the mountains of Tibet — the drink is a blend of brewed coffee, unsalted, grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The last two ingredients, according to its proponents, are meant to allow those who drink it to reach a state of ketosis at a much faster rate.

In addition, this blend of butter and MCT oil, according to Kristen Mancinelli, a registered dietitian and author of ‘The Ketogenic Diet,’ also helps dieters feel fuller for much longer, thus preventing them from overeating throughout the day.

Nutritionist Aimee Aristotelous agrees, noting that keto coffee can be a healthy alternative to the sugary lattes one might get from standard coffee shops and cafes.

“When comparing this beverage to many of the typical coffeehouse concoctions that consist of excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, keto coffee is definitely the way to go,” Aristotelous added.

Mancinelli clarifies, however, that keto coffee, which packs well over 300 calories per cup, is meant to be a meal replacement, and not just a beverage to drink with one’s breakfast or other meals.

It is also not recommended for those who want to quickly shed excess weight without making any actual changes to one’s diet and lifestyle.

“I wouldn’t recommend keto coffee to the average person looking to lose weight,” Rachel Daniels, a registered dietitian, said, noting in an interview that simply adding the drink to a regular, non-keto diet will only cause one to pack on excess pounds — the exact opposite of what the drink and diet are supposed to do.

“The grass-fed butter is going to add extra saturated fat to the diet that is not going to work any weight loss miracles on its own,” Daniels said, stressing that adding fat without reducing one’s carbohydrate intake will not put the body in a state of ketosis.

Even those on the keto diet must take care not to overindulge in the drink, Mancinelli said, as overindulging in it may lead to gastrointestinal distress due to its fat content.

Despite its drawbacks, however, there are several other benefits to keto coffee — especially if you are strictly following the original keto weight management plan. These include the following:

• Improved digestion
• Reduced instances of inflammation
• Increased mental clarity and sharper focus
• Increased alertness

For those who are not on the keto diet, however, experts recommend drinking other beverages such as the following:

• Matcha
• Turmeric golden milk
• Chai latte

These drinks, when spiked with just a teaspoon or so of MCT oil, according to experts, can give one some of the benefits of keto coffee, such as increased focus and energy, without flooding his system with saturated fats.

Following a ketogenic diet can be nothing short of challenging, especially when it comes to finding ways to satiate one’s cravings and at the same time, fulfilling one’s energy requirements. However, with the help of several shifts in one’s dietary staples — such as adding healthy fats to one’s favorite beverage — it can be done.

It goes without saying, however, that if you or someone you know is planning to switch to a keto diet, it is important that you first consult with your nutritionist or your healthcare provider in order for you to get proper guidance on how to go about it.

Learn more about the keto diet and other healthy weight management strategies at Fasting.news.

Sources:

Healthline.com

Health.USNews.com

BusinessInsider.com

Health.com

Food.NDTV.com