General Health

Many kinds of oils can negatively affect our health. We cook with them almost every day and they are plentiful in commercially prepared foods. But, it’s maybe kind a different with this one : coconut oil. Coconut oil, also known as coconut butter, is a tropical oil with many applications. It is a fat consisting of about 90% saturated fat, which has a long shelf life compared to other oils.

A research study at the Heart Research Institute in Sydney, Australia, found that the consumption of a saturated fat reduces the anti-inflammatory potential of HDL and impairs arterial endothelial function. In contrast, the anti-inflammatory activity of HDL improves after consumption of polyunsaturated fat. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have found that those whose diets are high in saturated fatty acids. Lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acid, that found in coconut oil, were strong predictors of coronary heart disease risk. In postmenopausal women with relatively low total fat intake, a greater saturated fat intake is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis, whereas carbohydrate intake is associated with a greater progression.

And you know what, coconut oil is excellent as a skin moisturiser. Extra virgin coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturiser. It is commonly used for styling hair, and cooling or soothing the head (stress relief) in India.

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