Sports Research have been around since 1980 and are the makers of nutritional supplements, vitamins, collagen supplements and MCT Oils.
Let’s take a look at Sports Research MCT Oil products, their pros and cons and how they compare to other leading MCT oils.
What is Sports Research MCT Oil?
Sports Research MCT oil is a combination oil featuring 3 medium chain fatty acids – Caprylic Acid (C8), Capric Acid (C10) and Lauric Acid (C12).
If you are not sure what medium chain triclycerides or MCT oil is, take a look at these articles first:
What is the Difference between MCT Oil & Coconut Oil?
8 Science Based Benefits of MCT Oil
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are absorbed by the body via the hepatic portal vein and deposit themselves directly into the liver where they are metabolized into ketones.
In addition to providing energy for the body, MCTs have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antimicrobial effects on the body. In short, they’re good for you, provide your body with energy and will not make you fat.
The breakdown of MCTs in Sports Research MCT oil (per 15ml tablespoon) is:
Caprylic Acid (C8) | 5.65 grams |
Capric Acid (C10) | 3.7 grams |
Lauric Acid (C12) | 4.0 grams |
This is a nice fairly even balance of MCTs, with slightly more C8 oil. This is beneficial, as the shorter the chain of fatty acids, the more efficiently it is metabolized by the liver.
This is why some companies create only C8 MCT oil, including Sports Research.
Sports Research Unflavored MCT Oil
Sports Research MCT oil is an unflavored oil that blends well with your morning coffee or breakfast shake. It is also suitable for adding to foods or making keto friendly sauces and salad dressings.
You can use MCT oil at any time of day to help kick start your energy or reduce food cravings.
Sports Research is also a non GMO MCT Oil, suitable for use on the keto diet, paleo diet, is dairy free, gluten free and vegan. As well as being flavorless it also has no smell.
Sports Research make several varieties of their MCT Oil. The standard (premium) MCT oil which is available in 4 different sizes – 15ml single serve sachets suitable for travel (available in a box of 15), a 16 oz bottle, 32 oz bottle and giant 128 oz bottle with a convenient pump top.
Sports Research Organic MCT Oil
If you prefer an organic MCT oil, Sports Research also make a USDA certified organic MCT oil containing only C8 and C10 MCTs.
Like the Sports Research premium MCT oil, the Organic MCT oil is sourced from sustainable coconuts (the difference being organic and non organic) and contains no palm oil.
The Sports Research Organic MCT Oil is available in 3 different sizes – a handy 15ml single serve size (in a box of 15), a 20 oz bottle and 32 oz bottle.
The breakdown of C8 and C10 oils in the Organic MCT Oil are:
Caprylic Acid (C8) | 7.3 grams |
Capric Acid (C10) | 5.0 grams |
Sports Research Emulsified MCT Oil
If you don’t like how MCT oil mixes into drinks, an emulsified MCT oil might be your solution.
Dairy free, Non GMO and available in 2 flavors (creamy coconut and creamy vanilla), emulsified MCT oil stirs seamlessly into hot or cold drinks for even disbursement.
The emulsified MCT oil contains 3 medium chain triglycerides:
Caprylic Acid (C8) | 2.7 grams |
Capric Acid (C10) | 1.8 grams |
Lauric Acid (C12) | 2.0 grams |
Take a look at the volume of medium chain triglycerides in the emulsified MCT oil, in comparison to the premium mct oil and organic mct oil. You’ll find just under half the goodness in comparison with the other oils.
The emulsified MCT oil also has 70 calories and is sweetened with cane sugar and monk fruit extract. This adds 1 gram of net carbs per day to your diet.
The emulsified MCT oil is a good way to ease yourself into the ketogenic diet or introduce MCT oil into your diet. If you’re looking to sustain ketosis, get into ketosis fast or for a good energy boost, this may not be the best choice.
Sports Research MCT Oil Powder
The Sports Research MCT Oil Powder is a combination of 6 grams of MCT oil powder and acacia gum as a prebiotic fiber in each 8.5 gram serving.
It has 2 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber, which makes its net carbs zero. Each container contains approximately 30 servings.
In comparison to the MCT Oils (both the premium oil and organic mct oil) the ratio of actual MCT oils in the powder is less than half that of the oil.
Like the emulsified MCT oil, the MCT powder is a good way to introduce MCTs into your diet.
If you are just starting out on a keto or paleo diet, or find that you suffer digestive upset from the MCT oil, the MCT oil powder is a great place to start.
Sports Research MCT Oil Softgels
If you prefer to take a MCT supplement in capsule form, Sports Research have this option as well.
Sports Research softgel MCT oil capsules are available in a 120 count or 240 count bottle. The MCT oil capsules are made up of 60 percent C8 (caprylic acid) and 40 percent C10 (capric acid).
At 3 MCT oil capsules per day, this is a cost effective way to increase your intake of MCT oil. The downside with the capsules over the oil, is each capsule has 1000 mg of medium chain triglycerides.
To really get the benefits and added boost of energy and brain power, you would need to take all 3 MCT Oil capsules at once, rather than spreading it out through your day.
Unless your really can’t stomach MCT Oil added to your coffee, shakes, smoothies, salads or sauces, I see no benefit of purchasing an MCT Oil Capsule over the oil itself.
Sports Research MCT Oil C8
This C8 MCT Oil is exactly as it sounds… 100% C8 (caprylic acid) derived from coconuts.
With 14 grams of C8 MCT oil per tablespoon this is comparable to Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil, Perfect Keto Rapid Energy Pure MCT Oil and Kiss My Keto C8 MCT Oil. It is also priced very competitively as well.
C8 MCT Oil is often referred to as pure MCT oil. It is still one of the four medium chain triglycerides, however, the shorter the chain of carbon atoms, the faster and easier our bodies metabolize this fat.
C8 MCT Oil is used almost immediately upon consumption, directed straight into the liver where it is converted into ketone bodies. These are then used as fuel or energy for our bodies.
Would I Buy Sports Research MCT Oil?
Absolutely! My favorite choices are the C8 MCT Oil and Organic MCT Oil.
If new to the keto diet or taking MCT Oil in general, you may prefer to start with the mct oil capsules and mct oil powder.
For a dairy free coffee creamer, the emulsified MCT oil is a good option, particularly the yummy creamy vanilla flavor.
Where to Buy Sports Research MCT Oil
Amazon is our favorite place to buy Sports Research MCT Oil online. We’ve included links to Amazon below.