Bulletproof recently released their popular Brain Octane Oil in a softgel form, and while some of our testers liked the product, most felt like it did not deliver enough caprylic acid triglyceride bang, for the buck.

Still looking for an easier way to take Bulletproof Coffee on the road, our testers were excited about the company’s new product: InstaMix, a powdered blend of MCT and grass-fed butter, which  is meant to be mixed in with fresh-brewed coffee. Read on to see if  this powder ended up being better than the softgels, and whether or not this is the answer to taking Bulletproof Coffee on the road.

The Ingredients

Per packet: Caprylic Acid Triglycerides (Brain Octane Oil), Grass-fed Butter, Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin, Oleic Fatty Acid (from Olive Oil)

Caprylic Acid Triglycerides (Brain Octane Oil)

Medium-chain triglycerides, normally in the form of refined coconut oils, have become popular in recent years, largely thanks to the work of Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey.

They’re a primary ingredient in Bulletproof Coffee, and Bulletproof/Upgraded self claims they provide sustained energy to the brain without the crash of stimulants. Research indicates MCT oil creates more ketone bodies when metabolized than most other fats, and these ketone bodies may be quickly utilized by the brain for energy. Their consumption in place of other calories sources has also been linked to increased fat loss.

Regular coconut oil contains only about 8% caprylic acid, so Bulletproof’s Brain Octane Oil is a highly refined derivative of coconut oil targeted toward brain function. Of course, that’s not to say the other lipid compounds in coconut oil don’t have their own potential benefits. Brain Octane Oil may not be as readily stored as fat within the human body, meaning it’s either metabolized for relatively quick energy or expelled as waste.

Bulletproof also claims slowing the digestion of their Brain Octane Oil carries benefits for gut biome health and microbial balance. However, research on that potential benefit is so far pretty sparse, and we’ve chosen to assess the product’s effects as they pertain to mental performance.

A normal tablespoon of liquid-form Brain Octane Oil contains 15 grams of caprylic acid. One packet of Brain Octane contains about 10 grams, so significantly more than the softgels, but still less than a serving of the original oil.

Grass-Fed Butter

Grass-fed butter is rich in vitamin K2, a vitamin essential for bone health. It is also loaded with butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that can help ameliorate inflammation in the digestive tract.

Other Ingredients: Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin, Sorbitol, Vitamin E TPGS.

Nutritional Value

Amount per serving: Calories 135, Fat Cal. 117, Total Fat 13g (20% DV), Sat. Fat 10g (48% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 15mg (5% DV), Sodium 0g (0% DV), Total carb. 5g (2% DV), Fiber 0g (0% DV), Sugars 0g, Protein 0g, Vitamin A (4% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (0% DV), Iron (0% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Usage Guidelines

Tear open a packet of InstaMix and pour into 8 oz freshly brewed Upgraded Coffee. For best results, shake InstaMix and Upgraded Coffee in a sealed Bulletproof Travel Mug. Alternatively, stir until well mixed. Enjoy, and feel the power.

What Our Testers Say

“These are a huge improvement over the softgels. I like that they have a mixture of the MCT, high-quality grass-fed butter, because let’s face it, carrying around a stick of butter is just as impractical as carrying around a bottle of oil. I had great energy with this, and even used it in the afternoon, with great success. ”

“I liked the softgels, and have reached for them a couple of times when I needed a caffeine-free boost during my day. These are not as practical as the pills, but they are more potent. I liked it  mixed with my caffeine-free tea, and will continue using it. The flavor was nutty, and pretty comforting.”

“This mix is pretty solid when it comes to helping stave off hunger pangs, and give me a boost of energy. I tried mixing it with my cold brew, and had a disastrously clumpy result. I will stick to mixing it in warm coffee going forward. I have had some stomach issues with the full tablespoon of MCT oil before, but this didn’t bother me at all. ”

“This is a pretty great alternative for when I don’t have the time to make my Bulletproof coffee at home. I still prefer the “real” stuff, but this  is easy to mix, and it stacks well with my regular nootropic regimen. I will keep a couple of these in my briefcase, and at the office, for emergencies. ”

BrainWiz Tips

• When it comes to MCT oil, the manufacturer suggests starting with 1 teaspoon of oil to coffee, and gradually increasing until you reach 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of coffee. Some people experience an upset stomach when first trying MCT oil, and InstaMix is no different. BrainWiz testers have been drinking Bulletproof coffee and/or tea for years, so take your time working up to the full packet, if this is your first experience with MCT oil.
• Most of our testers relied on their “regular” Bulletproof coffee in the morning, consumed an InstaMix beverage with lunch, which helped them fight afternoon hunger pangs, and slump.

Summary

While not as portable as the Brain Octane Softgels, InstaMix is a (surprisingly great) alternative for those looking for the BulletProof Coffee experience on the go. These packets are TSA-approved, and easy to take along in a carry-on, making it the perfect addition to a road-warrior’s nootropic chest.

The fact that these packets are also caffeine and stimulant-free makes them even more universally appealing.

The post Reviewing InstaMix: Bulletproof Coffee on the Go? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Until recently, Bulletproof’s popular Brain Octane Oil, a refined version of coconut oil that is primarily composed of caprylic acid and designed for use in Bulletproof Coffee, was only available in liquid form, which made traveling with it nearly impossible (not ideal for a product many people like to take during the workday or while on the road). However, the company has just released a version of Brain Octane Oil encapsulated in softgels (click for best price), making it a TSA and office-friendly version of their bestselling oil. Read on to see if the new capsules stack up to the old standby, and whether the ingredient dosage is enough to make these softgels worth it.

Brain Octane Softgels Nutrition Label

The Ingredients

*Per 2 softgels

Caprylic Acid Triglycerides (Brain Octane Oil) – 1600 mg

Medium chain triglycerides, normally in the form of refined coconut oils, have become very popular in recent years, largely thanks to the work of Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey. They’re a primary ingredient in Bulletproof Coffee, and Bulletproof/Upgraded self claims they provide sustained energy to the brain without the crash of stimulants. Research indicates MCT oil creates more ketone bodies when metabolized than most other fats, and these ketone bodies may be quickly utilized by the brain for energy. Their consumption in place of other calories sources has also been linked to increased fat loss.

Regular coconut oil contains about 8% caprylic acid, so Bulletproof’s Brain Octane Oil is a highly refined derivative of coconut oil targeted toward brain function. Of course, that’s not to say the other lipid compounds in coconut oil don’t have their own potential benefits. There’s some evidence that Brain Octane Oil is not readily stored as fat within the human body, meaning it’s either metabolized for relatively quick energy or expelled as waste.

Bulletproof also claims slowing the digestion of their Brain Octane Oil carries benefits gut biome health and microbial balance. However, research on that potential benefit is so far pretty sparse, and we’ve chosen to assess the products effects as they pertain to mental performance.

A normal tablespoon of liquid-form Brain Octane Oil contains 15 grams of caprylic acid. Two softgels of Brain Octane contain only about 1.6 grams, so there’s significantly less in a serving of the capsule than in a tablespoon serving of the liquid oil.

Other Ingredients: Bovine Gelatin, Glycerin, Oleic Acid (Derived from Olive Oil), Vitamin E TPGS, Purified Water, Natural Flavor.

Usage Guidelines

Take 1-2 capsules with food for gut health. Take 1-2 more capsules as desired for energy.

What Our Testers Say

“I’m a fan of Bulletproof Coffee, though I realize not everyone is, so I was looking forward to this version of their Brain Octane Oil. I tried it in a few different ways: With my coffee in place of the oil, on its own, and with food. There’s not as much MCT oil in these as you’d get with a standard serving of the liquid Brain Octane Oil, so it’s not going to be as noticeable an energy boost. HOWEVER, I felt no stomach upset when taking these, which sometimes happen when I take too much MCT oil without food. I felt solidly sustained energy throughout the day, and the portability was excellent. The effect isn’t as good as the liquid oil, but in a pinch, these will do.”

“I’ve been looking for a good capsulized MCT product for awhile, and this is the first one I’d consider purchasing again. They have a pleasant smell and go down smoothly, which is definitely not the case for most MCT products I’ve tried. I’m going to keep a bottle of these in my desk for times when I need an energy boost from digesting fats, not caffeine or other stimulants.”

“I can’t really speak to the gut health aspect of these pills, but I’ve experienced digestive stress from MCT oil before, and I didn’t feel that here. I’d consider taking these with lunch to help avoid a post-lunch crash. So far I’ve only tried them for about a week, and they’ve helped me do just that.”

“Stacking these with other nootropics worked out really well for me. I especially liked adding them to a morning stack of coffee and rhodiola, and I also had good results taking with Alpha BRAIN.”

BrainWiz Tips

• While our testers experienced less of a “gut bomb” from Brain Octane Softgels as compared to straight MCT oil, we had success following the manufacturer recommendation of taking with food; some people experience upset stomach the first time they ingest MCT products.
• Our best results came from taking with lunch to provide long-lasting energy into the afternoon.
• Though it contains dietary fats, this supplement is not a replacement for food.
• It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before making any significant change to your diet or supplement routine.

Supplement Summary

Brain Octane Softgels are an ultra-portable version of Bulletproof’s popular Brain Octane Oil. While the amount of fatty acids in a serving (or two) of softgels is significantly lower than in a tablespoon of the liquid oil, our testers found the capsules to be a handy option suited for the workplace or travel. These could be a welcome stimulant-free addition to a existing nootropic stacks.

The post MCT Energy to Go? Reviewing Brain Octane Softgels by Bulletproof appeared first on Brain Wiz.