The Benefits of Coffee on Carnivore
Coffee is more than just a popular drink. If you consume it in moderation, coffee can provide various health benefits, including the following.
- Containing Low Calories and Few Carbohydrates
- Supporting Liver
- Decreasing Mortality
- Improving Brain Function
- Lowering Depression
- Boosting Metabolism
- Improving Focus
- Suppressing Appetite
- Containing Antioxidants
"While the Carnivore Diet is fundamentally about consuming animal products, many followers include coffee due to its low carb content. However, it's important to listen to your body and adjust according to how you feel."
Containing Low Calories and Few Carbohydrates
Black coffee contains minimal calories and carbohydrates, which is why many Carnivore dieters include it in their routine, although it’s plant-based.
Supporting Liver
Coffee can have positive effects on the liver and lower the risk of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer [9].
Decreasing Mortality
Consuming coffee in moderation can decrease mortality by about 30%, as it can have positive effects on cardiovascular and insulin performance [10].
Improving Brain Function
Coffee can improve brain function and decrease the possibility of Alzheimer’s and dementia, as caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system and positively affect cognitive function [11].
Coffee Can Improve Health
Research from the "European Journal of Nutrition" suggests that moderate coffee consumption can have several health benefits, including improved cognitive function and reduced risk of certain diseases, which might align well with the health goals of those on a Carnivore Diet.
Lowering Depression
Drinking more coffee can decrease depression and suicide in women, as it can improve energy levels and mood [12].
Learn More: Top 10 Carnivore Snacks On The Go [Easy Recipes and Ideas]
Boosting Metabolism
Caffeine can boost metabolic rate, which can improve fat burning. That’s why caffeine is one of the ingredients of weight loss supplements.
Improving Focus
Caffeine can boost mood, mental clarity, focus, and alertness and increase energy levels, which is great news for athletes and those who have regular physical activity.
Suppressing Appetite
Drinking coffee can decrease feelings of hunger, which helps reduce calorie intake and improve weight management.
Containing Antioxidants
Coffee contains antioxidants that protect cells from getting damaged by free radicals. Antioxidants are necessary to lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Coffee is a low-carb, low-calorie, and antioxidant-rich drink that can have positive effects on the liver, brain, mood, metabolism, and focus. It can also decrease mortality and appetite.
Different Types of Coffee
There are various types of coffee out there. Here, I’ll list the most popular ones and show their calories, sugar, and carb levels in a table so you can compare them and decide which ones suit your Carnivore way of eating.
- Espresso
- Americano
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Macchiato
- Ristretto
- Lungo
- Cold brew
- Mocha,
- Flat White
- Iced Coffee
- Affogato
- French Press
Coffee Type |
Calories (per 8 oz) |
Carbohydrates (g) |
Sugar (g) |
Espresso |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Americano |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Latte |
120-150 |
12-15 |
6-8 |
Cappuccino |
80-120 |
8-12 |
6-8 |
Macchiato |
10-20 |
1-3 |
0-2 |
Ristretto |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Lungo |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Cold Brew |
5-20 |
0-5 |
0-5 |
Mocha |
250-400 |
30-50 |
20-30 |
Flat White |
120-150 |
12-15 |
6-8 |
Iced Coffee |
5-20 |
0-5 |
0-5 |
Affogato |
150-250 |
15-30 |
15-25 |
French Press |
5-10 |
0-2 |
0-2 |
In addition to the above types, you may have heard of these three and wonder how each one fits into the Carnivore diet. Let me brief you.
- Bulletproof Coffee on Carnivore: It is made with coffee, grass-fed butter or ghee, and a high-quality source of fat, such as MCT oil. It can be a part of your Carnivore breakfast to provide energy. Since it contains high levels of fats and low levels of carbs, it’s a popular drink to help you stay in ketosis and make you feel full to reduce your calorie intake.
- Black Coffee on a Carnivore Diet: A cup of coffee with no added sugar, milk, or sweeteners. As it’s a zero-carb, zero-sugar drink, it can fit into your Carnivore way of eating.
- Decaf Coffee on a Carnivore Diet: Black coffee with no caffeine.
Types of Coffee Beans
Different types of coffee come from different types of coffee. It’s good to take a look at the 4 main types of coffee beans and compare their nutrition. It helps you when you want to buy coffee beans and grind yourself.
- Arabica
- Robusta
- Liberica
- Excelsa
Learn More: Can You Have Coconut Water on the Carnivore Diet?
Nutrient (per 100g) |
Arabica |
Robusta |
Liberica |
Excelsa |
Calories |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Protein |
0.1g |
1.7g |
1.1g |
1.2g |
Carbohydrates |
0.0g |
0.9g |
0.5g |
0.9g |
Fat |
0.0g |
0.5g |
0.1g |
0.6g |
Fiber |
0.0g |
0.7g |
0.3g |
0.6g |
Caffeine |
1.2g |
2.2g |
1.5g |
2.0g |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) |
0.5mg |
0.6mg |
0.7mg |
0.8mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
0.0mg |
Manganese |
0.1mg |
0.6mg |
0.2mg |
0.5mg |
Magnesium |
7mg |
27mg |
16mg |
26mg |
Phosphorus |
8mg |
16mg |
24mg |
38mg |
Potassium |
49mg |
417mg |
200mg |
396mg |
How Much Coffee Can You Drink on Carnivore?
You can decide on the amount of coffee on a Carnivore diet based on your caffeine tolerance, health status, goals, and needs. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but generally, about one cup or two a day is considered safe.
To streamline your decision-making, I have provided the recommended daily and weekly coffee consumption limits based on age for men and women in the following table.
Learn More: Can You Eat Garlic on a Carnivore Diet? Is Garlic Powder Allowed?
Age |
Gender |
Recommended Daily Caffeine Limit (mg) |
Recommended Weekly Caffeine Limit (mg) |
12-18 |
Male |
400 |
2,800 |
12-18 |
Female |
400 |
2,800 |
19-50 |
Male |
400 |
2,800 |
19-50 |
Female |
300 |
2,100 |
51-70 |
Male |
400 |
2,800 |
51-70 |
Female |
300 |
2,100 |
71+ |
Male |
300 |
2,100 |
71+ |
Female |
300 |
2,100 |
Tips on Including Coffee on a Carnivore Diet
- Choose high-quality, organic coffee beans that have been minimally processed, as they contain minimal antinutrients.
- Consider decaffeinated coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine and get negative effects like insomnia or low energy levels.
- Add healthy fats like grass-fed butter or heavy cream to your cup of coffee instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Try different brewing methods to find out your favorite flavor and caffeine level. You can use the French press, pour-over method, or cold brew to see which method works better for you.
- Avoid too much coffee as it may cause anxiety, jitters, insomnia, and many other side effects.
- Pay attention to your body’s reactions to coffee. If you spot negative effects, cut back or eliminate it altogether.
- Try adding a pinch of Himalayan salt to your coffee to boost electrolytes.'
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"Coffee is a grey area on the Carnivore Diet. Some people can tolerate it well, while others might find it causes issues. It's best to experiment and see if it fits within your personal carnivore lifestyle."
Coffee Alternatives
If you’ve decided not to include coffee in your Carnivore diet, you can consider one of the following options. Needless to say, it’s wise to make any changes to your dietary habits after consulting a healthcare professional.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas can help you stay hydrated and get a warm beverage with no caffeine or sugar. Some popular herbal teas for energy are:
- Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid for improving focus and cognitive function.
- Yerba mate: It is South American tea containing caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which can boost energy levels.
- Ginger tea: It can help reduce nausea and inflammation.
Learn More: Can You Eat Ginger on a Carnivore Diet? Is It Healthy?
Coffee Can Improve Health
A study published in the "Journal of Applied Physiology" found that coffee can enhance fat oxidation and improve metabolic rate, which could be beneficial for those on a high-fat Carnivore Diet.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a nutrient-dense liquid made from simmering bones and connective tissue. You can use it as a nutritious drink as it contains high levels of protein, collagen, and minerals, supports gut health, and reduces inflammation.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water can be a refreshing and hydrating alternative to coffee if your version of the Carnivore diet allows it.
It may be challenging to choose one of the above options. But the following table will help you compare them and get your head around the subject.
Note that the values are approximate and can vary based on the brand and preparation method.
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Beverage |
Caffeine (mg) |
Sugar (g) |
Carbs (g) |
Calories |
Black coffee |
95-200 |
0 |
0 |
2-5 |
Green tea |
20-40 |
0 |
0 |
2-3 |
Yerba mate |
80-120 |
0 |
0 |
3-5 |
Ginger tea |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2-3 |
Bone broth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20-30 |
Sparkling water |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Summary
Well, the debate over coffee on a Carnivore diet is still open! Strict Carnivores prefer to avoid all plant-based foods and stick to animal products. However, others believe zero-carb black coffee with butter can help Carnivore results.
The final decision is yours! To make the best decision, you need to list your goals of going on a Carnivore diet, set your priorities, consider your health status, and consult healthcare professionals.