Dietitians differ on whether MCT is the good oil

CAN putting oil in your morning coffee help you lose weight and boost energy?

Viscous, flavourless MCT oil – MCT being an abbreviation of medium-chain triglyceride – is popularly used as part of the Bulletproof Coffee recipe, which involves blending the brew with MCTs and grass-fed butter. MCT die-hards – including celebs such as Kourtney Kardashian, Busy Philipps and Emma Stone, as well as those on the popular keto diet – believe that the oil, which is derived from coconuts or palm kernels, increases focus and stamina better than a sugary breakfast or snack.

Because of its chemical structure, the oil can be digested faster than other fats such as olive oil, says Danielle DeSimone, a nutrition coach and personal trainer.

“MCT oil helps give us fast, long-lasting energy,” says DeSimone, who has her clients add a teaspoon of the oil to their coffee or other foods twice a day to curb cravings for sugary foods and carbs that cause insulin to spike.

While some preliminary research has suggested that MCT oil can be satiating, no study has definitively shown that it helps people lose weight or increases brain function – and some experts remain sceptical, especially since the oil contains saturated fat, which has been linked to increased risk of heart disease.

Dietitian Maya Feller tells her clients to skip the MCT trend. “People think it’s kind of this saviour, but the science is not completely conclusive,” says Feller. She says that if you have a known increased risk of cardiovascular disease – or if you’ve already had a heart attack – you should be especially wary of adding MCT oil to your diet until further research is complete.

Feller says if people use it, they should talk to a medical professional about keeping their diets well-balanced.