Many will be surprised to learn that the benefits of coconut oil were known to people many centuries ago. The first written mention of this product is considered to be the records of the Egyptian traveler Kostas, who described the “Indian nut” (coconut) and oil from it in the XNUMXth century AD. Today, researchers call this product one of the most useful. It improves brain function, promotes weight loss, and also supports skin health. But even this is not the main benefits of coconut oil.
Coconut oil: what is it
Coconut oil is a cold-pressed product derived from coconut kernels. In many regions of Southeast and East Asia, is the most popular vegetable oil. In addition, enjoys the reputation of a healing product, which has found application in pharmacology.
In the liquid state, this product is a light yellow substance with the smell of fresh coconuts. But already at 24 degrees Celsius it begins to harden, forming a gel-like substance, and at 14 degrees it turns into dense white coconut fat. With increasing temperature, it restores its physical properties. But for boiling, the oil will need a very high temperature – almost 230 degrees Celsius. Because of this, coconut oil is considered beneficial for frying.
Coconut oil is nearly 85% saturated fat. And it is because of this fact that the product has received a bad name. Meanwhile, modern research is increasingly pointing out that not all saturated fats are the same and not all of them are harmful to the human body. In this regard, coconuts are unique. The fats in nuts are medium chain triglycerides, with lauric acid being the predominant one, and it is considered beneficial for fighting viruses and infections. Capric acid has powerful antimicrobial properties, while caprylic acid is an antifungal agent. In addition, the oil contains polyphenols useful for the body, as well as derivatives of fatty acids and alcohols.
What types are
Coconut oil is of several types. Below we consider the features of the most popular.
Pure coconut is obtained from dried nuts. This is an unrefined product that does not contain any additives. This variety is suitable for use in cooking, as a massage and cosmetic. It is useful for hair and also has therapeutic properties.
Refined oil is purified, bleached and, as a rule, deodorized product. Get it mechanically from the pulp of nuts, then subjected to chemical cleaning, bleaching and eliminating odors. The result is a transparent, odorless substance, color and impurities. Refined coconut product is, simply, pure saturated fats.
Virgin coconut oil is not obtained from dried nuts, but from fresh pulp. In the production process, the product is not exposed to chemical attack, as a result of which it retains its useful properties to the maximum. Virgin oil retains its natural aroma and antioxidant, antimicrobial properties. This variety is considered the most useful.
Organic coconut oil is extracted from palm nuts grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and insecticides. This product is also not chemically treated or processed. Organic oils belong to the so-called elite group of food products, which preserve the nutrients inherent in nature.
Extra Virgin. This product causes the most controversy. The fact is that many researchers believe that this type of oil is no different from Virgin. First, the production mechanism of both varieties is not different. And secondly, today there are no standardized requirements for the Extra Virgin class product.
Nutritional characteristics
Coconut oil is an incredible source of energy. 100 g contains almost 800 kilocalories. This product contains saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The bulk of saturated fats are medium chain triglycerides (from 6-12 carbon atoms). A tablespoon of the product contains 13,6 g of fat: 11,8 g of saturated, 0,8 g of monounsaturated and 0,2 g of polyunsaturated. In 100 g of cold-pressed oil there are almost 0,2 mg of vitamin E, 0,5 μg of vitamin K and in the range of 0,04 mg of iron. But carbohydrates or proteins in it is not worth looking for.
Useful Properties
As already mentioned, people have known about the benefits of coconut oil for many centuries. But scientists continue to make all new discoveries about the properties of coconut products. Here are just some of the advantages that these nuts give.
Regulates blood sugar levels
This product affects insulin secretion and is thus useful for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Recent studies have found that medium chain fatty acids in coconuts are useful in preventing diabetes. And all because these types of fats are easily absorbed by the body, transforming into energy, which in turn increases insulin sensitivity. Scientists continue to conduct experiments, studying the role of coconut oil in the body of people with diabetes. But today they have some reason to say that people with diabetes can feel the benefits of this product.
Treatment of cold and pneumonia
There are many popular treatments for colds. One of these natural medicines is coconut fats. Studies have found that children who consume, in addition to antibiotics, coconut oil, recover faster after pneumonia. Also, against the background of oil consumption, breathing improves, fever passes, and the blood is more saturated with oxygen.
Heart-healthy
Over the years, it was generally accepted that coconut oil is, to put it mildly, not the most beneficial for the heart, as it contains a lot of saturated fats. Today, many researchers convince of the fallacy of such an opinion. Proponents of the version about the benefits of this product recall that most saturated fats are represented by lauric acid, which, on the contrary, is useful in preventing many heart diseases, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
Coconut product is useful in preventing atherosclerosis and hardening of the arteries. But people who are prone to disruption of the heart, it is still better to abandon the use of oil on a regular basis.
Treats arthritis
Studies conducted by Indian scientists have confirmed that coconuts are high in antioxidants, which are useful in preventing and treating inflammation. Due to this property, the product is considered useful for the treatment of arthritis. Data from another study indicated that in the body this oil works not only as an anti-inflammatory, but also as an analgesic.
Lowers cholesterol
Studies indicate that coconut oil is good for lowering bad cholesterol in the blood. This in turn minimizes the risk of damage to the arteries, helps to avoid atherosclerosis and other cardiac diseases.
Benefits for weight loss
Despite the high calorie content, this oil in reasonable doses is useful for weight loss. Since the product formula includes fats with short and medium chains, you can not be afraid of quick weight gain. In addition, this product improves the functionality of the thyroid gland and endocrine system. As a result, metabolic processes improve, the load on the pancreas decreases, energy production is activated, and fats accumulate under the skin to a lesser extent. To confirm this theory, researchers point to residents of territories where coconut oil is the main product for frying. There, the majority of the population is never overweight.
Antiviral and immunomodulatory agent
In addition to lauric acid, the composition of the coconut product contains a significant percentage of capric acid, and it is known for its antiviral properties. In particular, researchers suggest that capric acid is useful for people with HIV and herpes.
In addition, coconut oil is great for strengthening the immune system. Lauric, caprylic and capric acids have antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial properties. Once in the human body, lauric acid is transformed into monolaurin, which increases the body’s resistance to influenza, many bacterial and viral diseases.
Benefits for Digestion
It is useful to use this product as frying oil, without worrying that dangerous carcinogens will enter the body. Coconut fats improve the functioning of the digestive system, prevent disruption of the functioning of the digestive tract, including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats contained in coconuts possess antimicrobial properties, protect the body from bacteria, fungi, parasites, which can cause upset the digestive system.
In addition, it has been proven that coconut oil improves the absorption of other nutrients, such as amino acids, minerals, vitamins.
Improves the urogenital system
Coconut oil is a product useful for the genitourinary system. Acting as a natural antibiotic, it treats infectious diseases of the kidneys. In addition, any coconut products contribute to the removal of kidney stones.
Other properties of coconut oil:
- cleans the liver;
- prevents cell mutations;
- slows the aging of the body;
- slows the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Use in cosmetology
In cosmetology, this ingredient is often added to soaps, shampoos, gels, lotions and many other means. In addition, coconut oil is suitable for making homemade cosmetics for skin and hair care.
This oil has won the fame of a natural sunscreen. It was the inhabitants of the tropics and subtropics, where, in fact, coconut palms are common, noticed that this product prevents the occurrence of sunburn. The oil smeared on the skin creates a protective barrier against harmful UV radiation, but at the same time it does not interfere with the contact with the skin of the healthy sun rays necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D.
Coconut fats well eliminate unpleasant odors (due to antibacterial effect). Therefore, the product is useful to apply on the armpits, feet (except for eliminating unpleasant odors, also softens the skin on the legs), add to the toothpaste.
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer. By adding it a little to your favorite cream, you can prevent the skin from drying out and peeling, cracking or hardened areas. Dermatologists use it to treat dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases. A massage using coconut oil prevents wrinkles, sagging skin and other changes that accompany the aging process. In addition, rubbing this product into the skin, you can prevent the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy and after a sudden change in weight.
This product well restores damaged hair, makes them silky and shiny. It is one of the best nutrients for hair: it provides a healthy shine and accelerates growth. Coconut oil based masks are a source of proteins, the lack of which makes hair dull and brittle. And if you rub fat from coconuts into the scalp, you can prevent dryness and dandruff. In addition, this product is suitable for the treatment of head lice.
Hair Mask
This hair shine mask is easy to make at home. To do this, mix a little honey and coconut oil. The resulting product is applied to the hair, scalp and left for 40 minutes.
Body Scrub
Mix brown sugar or salt with coconut oil. Lightly apply to skin and rinse with warm water.
Face cream
In the face cream, add a couple of drops of coconut oil and mix thoroughly. This cream is useful for moisturizing very dry and flaky skin.
By the way, pure coconut oil can be used as a makeup remover (even waterproof mascara). And since it has an antibacterial effect, it is useful to add it to the means for washing makeup brushes.
Use in the food industry
This is one of the most commonly used oils in the world. It is suitable for cooking. Most often found in recipes of Thai, Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Philippine cuisines. It is used in the confectionery business, for dressing salads. Due to the high boiling point, this oil is useful for frying, since it does not form carcinogenic substances during the heating process. If instead of any other vegetable oil in the dough add coconut, baking will be easier and more airy.
How to choose
There are several varieties and categories of coconut oil. As a rule, the product is sold in tin or plastic containers. When buying it is important to pay attention to its freshness. Refined oil, as a rule, does not contain free and short-chain fatty acids, therefore it remains clear, has a neutral taste and a long shelf life. At home, the product is usually stored in the refrigerator to prevent the appearance of a rancid taste.
It is also important to understand that not all types of coconut oil are equally beneficial. Partially hydrogenated is just as harmful as other highly processed products that contain trans fats.
What else is useful
Coconut oil can be used not only as food, cosmetic or medicine. The benefits of this product are palpable in everyday life. For example, to return the patent skin to its former shine, it is enough to wipe it with a small amount of coconut oil. The same product is suitable for the care of wooden furniture, cutting boards and wooden spoons. Coconut fats are suitable for cleaning metals, particularly bronze. They are useful to wipe creaking door hinges and broken zippers, and when cleaning the bathroom, coconut product will help get rid of bacteria and, consequently, an unpleasant smell, mildew, fungi. Benefit from coconuts feel even musicians who rub guitar strings with vegetable fats.
For many years, coconut oil has been considered harmful to the human body, but modern research restores justice. It turned out that this product is not only possible, but also should be eaten as one of the most healthy fats for humans.
