How to become a bulletproof stand up paddler
Have you ever heard of a hot sports drink that improves energy and brain function?
The drink In question is called bulletproof coffee and is used by life hackers and athletes worldwide to improve brain function, increase energy and assist in weight loss. The drink was inspired by the buttery yak tea drinking Sherpas of Tibet (renowned for their physical ability to climb mountains on not much more than their favourite brew) and modernised into what it is today by Dave Asprey of bulletproofcoffee.com. Health Guru Paul Chek is also known to put butter in his coffee. Matthew Solan from 'muscle and performance' writes
' Paul Chek has advocated buttered coffee for 10-plus years and has often shared it with his top clients, such as pro surfer Laird Hamilton and motocross racer Jimmy Button'.
The idea of a drink that boosts energy and mental alertness without killing your zen or disturbing your flow with a sugar rush or caffeine buzz is very appealing not only to your average soul surfer or SUP racer but anyone who spends considerable time on the water.
What's in it ?
MCT oil.
Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) is a fatty acid that has the ability to boost metabolism and extend the duration of intense exercise and naturally occurs in food along with long chain triglycerides (LCT) but unlike LCT goes directly to the liver for fuel and acts in a similar manner to carbohydrates. Virgin coconut oil contains 60% MCT and is a commonly used alternative to the MCT oil supplement. A word of caution if you decide to use MCT oil rather than coconut. Start with a small dose and gradually build up as tolerances vary and too much can have a laxative effect. Not good for your wetsuit.
Organic Coffee
The performance enhancing qualities of caffeine in sport are well documented and are used throughout the world in energy drinks for obvious reasons.
The best quality freshly ground organic coffee should be used to avoid toxins and pesticides that could hinder the efficacy.
Organic grass fed butter.
Grass fed butter is full of antioxidants, good cholesterol, vitamin K2 and linoleic acid an essential fatty acid necessary for good health.
The three ingredients combined form a drink that will give you a steady stream of energy and improve mental alertness but unlike most sports drinks doesn't contain any sugar so you don't get the sugar crash or the potential adrenal fatigue associated with mixing high doses of caffeine with sugar. The butter in bullet proof prolongs the effect of caffeine and reduces the blood sugar peaks and troughs common with simple carbohydrates, making it ideal for the stand up paddler who plans to spend some time on the water and may not have the opportunity to refuel.
How to make Bulletproof coffee.
The drink In question is called bulletproof coffee and is used by life hackers and athletes worldwide to improve brain function, increase energy and assist in weight loss. The drink was inspired by the buttery yak tea drinking Sherpas of Tibet (renowned for their physical ability to climb mountains on not much more than their favourite brew) and modernised into what it is today by Dave Asprey of bulletproofcoffee.com. Health Guru Paul Chek is also known to put butter in his coffee. Matthew Solan from 'muscle and performance' writes
' Paul Chek has advocated buttered coffee for 10-plus years and has often shared it with his top clients, such as pro surfer Laird Hamilton and motocross racer Jimmy Button'.
The idea of a drink that boosts energy and mental alertness without killing your zen or disturbing your flow with a sugar rush or caffeine buzz is very appealing not only to your average soul surfer or SUP racer but anyone who spends considerable time on the water.
What's in it ?
MCT oil.
Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) is a fatty acid that has the ability to boost metabolism and extend the duration of intense exercise and naturally occurs in food along with long chain triglycerides (LCT) but unlike LCT goes directly to the liver for fuel and acts in a similar manner to carbohydrates. Virgin coconut oil contains 60% MCT and is a commonly used alternative to the MCT oil supplement. A word of caution if you decide to use MCT oil rather than coconut. Start with a small dose and gradually build up as tolerances vary and too much can have a laxative effect. Not good for your wetsuit.
Organic Coffee
The performance enhancing qualities of caffeine in sport are well documented and are used throughout the world in energy drinks for obvious reasons.
The best quality freshly ground organic coffee should be used to avoid toxins and pesticides that could hinder the efficacy.
Organic grass fed butter.
Grass fed butter is full of antioxidants, good cholesterol, vitamin K2 and linoleic acid an essential fatty acid necessary for good health.
The three ingredients combined form a drink that will give you a steady stream of energy and improve mental alertness but unlike most sports drinks doesn't contain any sugar so you don't get the sugar crash or the potential adrenal fatigue associated with mixing high doses of caffeine with sugar. The butter in bullet proof prolongs the effect of caffeine and reduces the blood sugar peaks and troughs common with simple carbohydrates, making it ideal for the stand up paddler who plans to spend some time on the water and may not have the opportunity to refuel.
How to make Bulletproof coffee.
There are many variants available but we've found the basic one the best.
1 cup of good quality organic coffee made in an espresso maker or cafetière.
1-2 tablespoons of organic grass fed butter.
1 tablespoon of MCT oil or organic coconut oil.
1/4 teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon ( full of antioxidants and anti inflammatory )
• Blitz in a blender or shaker to form a creamy frothy drink.
It is widely accepted that saturated fat is no longer the enemy and in fact vital for proper health but a word of caution. If you have bullet proof coffee do not consume it with carbohydrates especially simple carbs. The insulin spike will send those calories straight to storage rather than being utilised for energy. Mixing simple carbs and saturated fat is the quickest way to obesity and poor health. If you do well on a high carb diet and want to try bulletproof it would be better to have your carbs later in the day. However if you're on a ketogenic , paleo or carb back loading diet you should see some great results using bulletproof.
