Coconut oil is one of the oldest oils that people use. Coconuts grow on palm trees and coconut oil is made from natural dried and pressed coconut fruits. However, today many people are afraid to consume it because they have heard about the harmful properties of coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a natural vegetable oil that is extracted from fresh coconuts. It contains no trans fats or partially hydrogenated oil. Many Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the best remedy for all ailments.
Bad reputation
Nutritious coconut oil is considered a saturated fat. 92% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated fat (butter contains 66% saturated fat.). This worries many people who know that a high intake of saturated fat contributes to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
Not all saturated fats are unhealthy
However, it is now known that not all saturated fats are the same. Previously, they were all considered bad, until it became known that unsaturated fats help protect the heart and increase HDL (good cholesterol). Saturated fats tend to be made up of short chain fatty acids, while tropical coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is digested faster and easier than other saturated fat foods.
Animal fats are composed primarily of palmitic and myristic acids, while vegetable saturated fats are high in lauric and stearic acids. These acids are considered very beneficial for health. Lauric acid has antimicrobial, antiviral and antibacterial effects. This acid kills bad bacteria and promotes the growth of "good" bacteria, which is essential for the digestive tract. Thus, the saturated fat in coconut oil is completely different than the saturated fat in fast food - french fries and donuts.
The nutritional value
One tablespoon of coconut oil contains 125 calories and 14 grams of fat, of which 13.5 g is saturated fat, 0 g is trans fat, and 0.5 g is unsaturated fat. Animal saturated fats contain cholesterol, but vegetable saturated fats do not contain cholesterol.
Benefit for health
Coconut oil has many nice benefits. Medium chain fatty acids have shown antimicrobial activity and have shown positive results in a test for normalizing adult fat levels. One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in October 2009 reported that lauric acid, when applied to or injected into the skin, helps with acne caused by bacteria.
Safety
Additional Health Benefits
- According to the Harvard School of Public Health, coconut oil helps increase levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. Low levels of this cholesterol are a risk factor for developing heart disease. Despite its saturated fat content, coconut oil is just as good for the heart as the popular olive oil.
- Coconut oil promotes the absorption of calcium, magnesium and amino acids.
- It also acts as a powerful antioxidant. It has been observed that people who consume coconut daily are rarely bothered by osteoporosis.
Everyone agrees that it is good for skin and hair, but when it comes to the benefits of edible coconut oil when consumed, a lot of questions and discussions immediately arise.
And no wonder: the skin can be assessed after the first application by tactile sensations, but it is much more difficult to determine the effect of the oil on the body as a whole.
The most frequent comments on the article about the benefits of coconut oil contain an objection to the benefits of saturated fatty acids. We will talk about the properties of oil, biochemistry, and whether all saturated fatty acids are equally harmful in this article.
A small disclaimer: this article is about the properties of natural, unrefined, edible virgin coconut oil (virdgin).
Before moving on to translating information about coconut oil from reputable sources on the Thai internet, let's talk about the main stumbling block, saturated fatty acids.
Biochemistry or the harm of coconut oil
Considering fatty acids as a class, of course, most of them are not very useful. Saturated fatty acids are found mainly in animal fats. Most of them are solids with a high melting point. They can be absorbed by the body without the participation of bile acids, this determines their high nutritional value. However, excesses of many saturated fatty acids are inevitably stored in reserve.
But they come with different chain lengths, as well as interchangeable and irreplaceable.
A person needs fats, because vitamins and microelements are easily dissolved in them (and therefore, they are easily absorbed), but long-chain saturated fatty acids are difficult to digest. For their digestion, the body has to secrete bile and digestive enzymes, sometimes overloading the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and intestines. People suffering from diabetes, liver disease, or who have had gallbladder surgery have particular problems with this.
However, due to the ease of digestion of medium-chain fatty acids (which make up edible coconut oil), it does not cause such problems and begins to be absorbed in the stomach. Medium chain saturated fatty acids are very easily broken down by enzymes and absorbed without clogging the blood vessels. Then they are converted into energy that improves liver function. And this oil also contains essential saturated lauric and myristic acids, which are important for the normal functioning of the immune system.
Still saturated fatty acids in the majority have a high melting point, and if it is higher than the human body, they are poorly absorbed, clogging the stomach and intestines, and if they are absorbed, they are deposited in the vessels. The melting point of coconut oil is 25 degrees. I don't know anyone with a lower body temperature, do you?
And now let's move on to information from the Thai Internet. Here is what they write there:
According to the materials of the Botany Department of the Pharmaceutical Faculty of Mahidol Research University
Edible coconut oil is over 90% saturated fat, most of which are medium chain triglycerides. Most of all, it contains the essential lauric acid, which is well absorbed by the body.
Medium chain fatty acids do not accumulate in adipose tissue. They are smaller in molecular weight than long chain fatty acids such as linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid derived from soybean oil, for example)
Conclusion: everything is good in moderation. If coconut oil is taken according to the recommended dosages, it will only benefit your body.
Now let's move on to other sources:
Edible coconut oil, in addition to essential medium-chain saturated fatty acids, also contains important minerals and some fat-soluble vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, D, E, K, which are instantly absorbed. This is what makes coconut oil a useful product in all respects.
Health benefits of coconut oil
1.Speeds up metabolism
Coconut oil has 8.6 calories per gram, while other oils contain at least 9 calories per gram. The use of saturated fatty acids contained in the oil does not lead to the formation of free radicals, and the oil itself does not contain trans fats. With lauric, caproic, and caprylic acids, coconut oil boosts metabolism for up to 24 hours, improving digestion and calorie burning.
2. Stimulates the work of the intestines.
Coconut oil should be consumed in moderation. Due to its high content of saturated fats, it stimulates the colon, which can cause diarrhea at the beginning of the use of this oil. This is a normal reaction. However, if diarrhea occurs when consuming a small amount of oil, it is better to stop taking it so as not to remove trace elements from the body.
3. Tones up.
Edible coconut oil is easily absorbed by the body and does not lead to weight gain. It does not have any side effects, which is why it is often recommended to athletes and the elderly.
4. Reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Coconut oil lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL), thus reducing the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart, liver and kidney disease.
5. Protection of the skeletal system.
Coconut oil is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining strong bones, so it can protect bones from breaking down.
6. Use during pregnancy.
Coconut oil is beneficial to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It nourishes the body of the mother and child, helps to give the baby good immunity and significantly increases the usefulness of breast milk, since it contains lauric acid, calcium and magnesium. This is an excellent tool for strengthening bones and teeth, preventing osteoporosis and preventing calcium loss during pregnancy.
7. Improves sleep.
Coconut oil contains substances that help you relax. Daily use of coconut oil in small amounts improves the quality of sleep, relieves chronic fatigue, and reduces stress.
8. Reduces inflammation and helps fight infections.
Cold-pressed edible coconut oil relieves various diseases caused by infection. The reason is again in lauric acid, which boosts immunity, fights bacteria and is a natural antibiotic, which alleviates the symptoms of infections such as flu, tonsillitis, herpes, mumps.
9. Oral care.Coconut oil inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which leads to plaque and problems such as gingivitis, gum disease, puffiness and bleeding gums. In addition, it helps to treat sore throats.
This oil can be used as a throat and mouth rinse.
To do this, take 1-2 tbsp. spoons a day and rinse the mouth for at least 15 minutes. The oil will become white and frothy. It must be spit out, as it will absorb pathogens and toxins. Also, this procedure helps to improve the functioning of the digestive system and reduce bad breath.
You can apply coconut oil to your toothbrush and brush your teeth. Half a teaspoon is enough. The oil gradually reduces plaque on the teeth, soothes and strengthens the gums.
10. Reduces the risk of cancer.
The high content of saturated fatty acids (up to 92%) helps to strengthen the body's immune system. Many of the vitamins that coconut oil contains are antioxidants. This reduces the risk of cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer and skin cancer.
11. Cold-pressed coconut oil stimulates the thyroid gland and speeds up the metabolism. thereby improving the condition of diabetic patients. Coconut oil consumption increases insulin production, thereby speeding up the breakdown of sugar and reducing the workload on the pancreas. In some cases, the pancreas can fully restore its functions.
You can read about the quality of coconut oil and types of unrefined oil in the article.
And I will tell you how to properly use coconut oil inside, as well as about the features of storage and precautions that should be considered when using coconut oil.
The health benefits of coconut oil are mainly due to its high content of fatty acids. Many are interested in the questions: How useful or harmful is coconut oil? How Much Coconut Oil Should You Take Daily To Be Healthy?
For the full development of the body, an adult requires about three tablespoons of organic oil per day. For example, coconut oil is recommended to be taken throughout the day with dietary fiber and protein. But more on that later.
There are many ways to use the oil to include in your diet. You can replace margarine with it and add it to pastries.
Pretty much any recipe that calls for regular butter or margarine won't suffer much if coconut oil is used instead. Even vice versa. Considering that in most cases the average person eats other vegetable oils every day, it will be very useful to use coconut oil from time to time, for use and its beneficial properties.
This oil 92% full of saturated fats as fatty acids. Especially useful is lauric acid, which is found in considerable volume in coconut oil. This acid has strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties, and does not contain trans fats, which are found even in olive oil.
Possible harms of using coconut oil
Despite the many recognized benefits of coconut oil, some people believe that it is quite harmful to the body.
So how did an oil that is so healthy get a bad rap?
The fact is that about 40 years ago research has been done on various hydrogenated oils, including the popular coconut oil.
Hydrogenated oils are oils that are produced by changing the chemical composition of natural oils to improve their properties.
With regular use, such artificial oils can raise the level of cholesterol in the human body, and lead to various diseases, including heart disease.
Subsequently, the results of the studies were called into question, as it was claimed that they contained incorrect initial data for the experimental oils, including hydrogenated coconut oil.
However, the truth has now been established. Really harmful to the body are artificial (hydrogenated oils), not natural oils in their pure form.. Oils that have not been chemically processed and without impurities of minor substances are absolutely safe and beneficial for the human body.
And the opinion that natural coconut oil is unhealthy is absolutely wrong. It's just that some people did not understand the confirmed facts, they do not know the history of the study of artificial oils, but simply heard somewhere that it is harmful.
It is important to know that you should not consume hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut or other vegetable oils. Because they are really bad.
Benefits of coconut oil
In coconut oil average composition of fatty acids from 0.5 to 1.6% unsaponifiable substances rich in delta-tocopherol and sterols. Unsaponifiable substances is an indicator that characterizes the quantitative content in vegetable oil of related substances that do not react with alkalis and are not destroyed during saponification of the oil.
Numerous studies have shown that the high acid content of coconut oil copes very well with viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens , and that lauric acid builds the body's immune system like mother's milk, which also contains lauric acid. These studies were carried out on patients suffering from immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS.
We often think that the less fat we eat, the better. However, you don't have to cut down on fat intake. You just need to choose a fat that is right for you and does not contribute to weight gain. You can lose weight by eating more saturated fat in the form of coconut oil and less polyunsaturated fat (processed vegetable oils).
For example, there is a dietary oil that can really help in losing weight.
In this article, we tried to reveal the topic for you:.
We hope that the information was useful and relevant for you in order to use it in your life. Stay always on top, thanks for your attention, women's online magazine site
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Coconut oil is obtained from the flesh of the coconut (copra) by cold or hot pressing. By hot pressing, much more finished raw material is obtained, but it is less useful. The cold pressing method retains all the useful qualities of the product. The pulp of a coconut is separated from its shell, crushed, and then dried and the oil is squeezed out of it. Coconut oil is of 2 types: 1. refined 2. unrefined. Refined (refined oil) has almost no smell, and unrefined - a pronounced smell of coconut. Coconut oil is a pale yellow oily liquid. At room temperature, it is liquid, but in the refrigerator it turns into a white margarine-like solid. Refined coconut oil is more transparent, it is refined without chemical additives under high pressure and is widely used in cosmetology, while unrefined coconut oil is used in soap making and cooking.
The benefits and harms of coconut oil
Real good quality coconut oil should contain at least 50% fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated). Coconut oil consists of such acids as: lauric, myristic, oleic, caprylic, capric, palmitic, linoleic, capric, stearic. It contains vitamins E and K, antioxidants, mineral elements (phosphorus, iron) and polyphenols. It contains medium chain triglycerides, which are perfectly absorbed by the body. The oil has a protective, softening, wound-healing, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral effect - this is due to its benefits to the body. Coconut oil can cause harm only in case of individual intolerance.
Medicinal properties of coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of the ancient remedies. It is used for cosmetic purposes for body and face skin care, as it softens the skin, protects it from ultraviolet rays, nourishes, smoothes and makes it soft. Perfectly treats and strengthens hair, relieves dandruff, makes them smooth and silky. Coconut oil is used for massage. Coconut oil is used to treat a number of ailments. It is recommended for violations of the functions of the digestive system, for the improvement of the intestinal microflora. Coconut oil strengthens the immune system, increases the ability to resist diseases, viruses and bacteria. It lowers cholesterol levels, providing protection against atherosclerosis. Oil reduces the risk of cancer and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, lowers blood pressure and sugar levels. Its beneficial properties are used to strengthen teeth and gums, normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland, cleanse blood vessels, rejuvenate the body, normalize hormone production, treat psoriasis and prostate, strengthen the nervous and skeletal systems, and absorb nutrients, including magnesium and calcium. Used to prevent diseases of the bladder, liver and kidneys. It is also used for female diseases and ailments associated with menstruation. Douching with coconut oil helps to restore the microflora, relieve inflammation. It does not cause side problems like antibiotics. Calorie content of coconut oil 899 kcal. It is high-calorie, but is easily burned in the body without lingering. It speeds up the metabolic processes in the body, so it is used in weight loss programs. It is recommended to use it daily before meals to improve digestion and metabolism.
An excellent source of health and energy for vegetarians, raw foodists and people leading a healthy lifestyle. Coconut oil improves the body's ability to absorb various minerals. These include both calcium and magnesium, which are necessary for the health of the skeletal system. This is why coconut oil is so beneficial for older women prone to osteoporosis.
Coconut oil perfectly strengthens the immune system, helps to get rid of excess weight, reduces cholesterol, protects the body from viruses and bacteria, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, normalizes metabolism and the thyroid gland, cleanses blood vessels, improves digestion, cleanses the intestines. And this is not the whole list of beneficial effects of coconut oil on the body. It contains many antioxidants and is the best oil for maintaining and restoring health and youth.
Scientific studies have shown that the lauric acid in coconut oil is ideal for keeping cholesterol levels in the normal range. Coconut oil has many beneficial properties and prescriptions for use in various diseases.
If it is taken orally, it helps to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart disease and cancer. In addition, the body becomes resistant to viral diseases and various infections, due to the fact that the oil strengthens the immune system and at the same time reduces the ability of viruses to adapt to antibiotics. Coconut oil is not stored as fat in the human body, unlike many other oils.
SCIENTIFIC FACTS
- Dr. Bruce Fife found that coconut oil contains 10 types of medium chain fatty acids (MCAs). Each of them is already a nutrient in itself, and also stimulates the improvement of the absorption of other substances: vitamins, minerals from other products.
- Thanks to these properties, coconut oil provides energy for all life processes, and increases the level of resistance to viruses, bacteria, fungi.
- Coconut oil promotes weight loss because it speeds up metabolism, breaks down into energy without turning into fat stores and causes the process of thermogenesis.
Coconut oil is the only oil that does not break down when exposed to high temperatures, which is very important in a healthy diet.
Natural coconut oil is one of the most harmless and safe officially registered food products with no known side effects.
APPLICATION
Drink 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily in the morning on an empty stomach with plenty of water. It is better to start taking oil with a half teaspoon, gradually increasing to 2 tablespoons.
FOR SLIMMING
Take one tablespoon of coconut oil before meals.
But drink no more than three tablespoons of oil per day. Children are recommended to take half or one teaspoon depending on their age. You can safely mix coconut oil with other foods.
FOR DIGESTION AND INTESTINE
Drink 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil mixed with warm water or drink a glass of warm water to improve digestion and cleanse the intestines. If you are drinking this oil for the first time, start with half a teaspoon and gradually increase. For older people, it is recommended to take no more than one tablespoon of coconut oil per day.
If you feel tired and lethargic, you have confused thoughts, slow metabolism and extra pounds, wrinkles, dry skin, scaly spots or eczema, you need to purchase coconut oil and consume it regularly. All your problems will be resolved within a few months.
Coconut oil used to be considered unhealthy because it contains a large amount of various fats. Now this product has returned to the kitchens of many housewives precisely because it can help with all of the above ailments. For a long time it was thought that coconut oil was unfit for human consumption, but studies have shown that the fats contained in this oil are very beneficial for our health.
Here are some benefits of adding oil to your diet:
- Coconut oil will regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. If you constantly feel tired, lethargic and constantly forget something, this indicates that your thyroid gland needs nutrition. You will benefit from eating coconut oil.
- Regulates metabolism. If you want to lose extra pounds, then add oil to your diet, it will increase the metabolic rate. Remember that when you go on a diet, your body does not receive many nutrients and therefore tries to store them, thus, excess deposits are formed. If your diet has a lot of healthy fats, then the body will not need to store them in reserve.
