Happy Thursday!
A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you ‘The Skinny on Fats’. This week I want to share the magical benefits of a very special oil – coconut oil
Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat. I know what you are thinking…. Aren’t saturated fats bad?
Not necessarily….
In the 1930’s, Dr. Weston Price (a dentist) traveled to the South Pacific tostudy traditional diets and their effect on dental and overall health.
Guess what he found?
Populations with a diet high in coconut products were healthy, lean and had virtually no heart disease!
So what’s so special about coconut fat?
Coconut oil is made of medium-chain fatty acids which are easily digested for energy and have terrific health benefits!
Medium-chain fatty acids include:
- Caprylic acid
- Lauric acid
- Capric acid
Caprylic acid has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties!
Lauric acid has been shown to have pathogen fighting properties and is useful in treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) and chronic candida.
The monoglycerides and diglycerides founds in capric and lauric acids have been found to disintegrate gallstones!
That’s all great stuff but the big question is:
Will coconut fat make you fat?
The answer is a resounding NO!
Unlike long-chain fatty acids found in plant-based oils, MCTs:
- Are metabolized by the liver, which means that they’re immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat.
- They improve energy and endurance. It’s great as a training supplement before hitting the gym.
- Coconut oil improves metabolism! Because MCTs are so easily digested, they rev your metabolism producing long sustained energy and fat burning power.
- It boosts energy
- It will protect you from bacteria, viruses and pathogens
- It can improve your cholesterol panel
- It destroys gallstones
- AND….it can help you lose weight!
But the magic doesn’t end there.
Coconut oil improves brain and memory function.
A 2004 study published in the Journal of Neurobiology of Aging, found that the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil improved memory problems in their older subjects.
And guess what? Eating this delicious fat can improve your cholesterol!
A 2015 study showed that consuming extra virgin coconut oil raised good cholesterol, reduced body weight and body mass index!
To sum up the magical benefits of coconut oil:
Coconut oil is truly a superfood!
I like to buy it organically and in a glass jar since I HATE plastic!.
Terrasoul Superfoods Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, 2 Pounds (Glass Jar) is a good one. I love the fact that its a big glass jar that I can use again :)
Enjoy!
XO Nina
This Week at Nina Cucina
Recipes of the Week
Well, of course, this week I’ll feature coconut recipes!
Thai Chicken Soup with Zoodles is healthy, hearty soup dinner with all the benefits of coconut as it has both coconut oil and coconut milk in the recipe!
Coconut Panna Cotta with Mango is a light and creamy dessert that’s perfect for warmer weather! It’s a sweet treat with a hint of lime – definitely apersonal fave!
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! If you’re an ice cream lover that’s health conscious, you’ll love Coconut-Lime Olive Oil Gelato. It hasall the benefits of both coconut and olive oil and is low-glycemic to boot!
