In recent years, the popularity of coconut and especially coconut oil have grown because of the virtues it is given for health. To fuel the trend coconut oil, many celebrities have adulated this ingredient that would help eliminate fat, limit appetite, strengthen the immune system, prevent heart disease and fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
A survey reveals that 72% of Americans judge coconut oil healthy while 37% of nutrition experts are of the same opinion. Coconut oil is very popular among different diets, including the ketogenic diet and the paleo diet.
Coconut oil is composed of 100% fat, including 80 to 90% saturated fat. Cold or at room temperature, it has a firm texture. Fat is made up of smaller molecules called fatty acids. Coconut oil therefore has several types of saturated fatty acids. Lauric acid is 47% dominant and myristic and palmitic acids are present in lower amounts.
Finally, coconut oil contains no cholesterol , no fiber and only a few traces of vitamins, minerals and plant sterols.
This is why coconut oil is recommended for cooking (it supports higher temperatures than other oils and gives a more complex taste and texture to food), for cosmetics (the long carbon chain of lauric acid is one of the most important active ingredients of coconut oil, strengthening the immune system, protecting against bacterial, viral and fungal infections) and for maintenance (your doors will not squeak, you can polish your furniture, clean your bathtub or shower, maintain the leather and many other useful uses.)
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The Story Of Coconut Oil
It is believed that the first time the coconut was seen dates back to the fifth century by Costas, an Egyptian traveler. He wrote about the discovery of an ” Indian nut ” that many researchers think is coconut. In the 9th century, it was known that coconuts were used in China to make fiber. It is also spoken of in Sinbad’s tales in the book of the Thousand and One Nights. Marco Polo referred to it as ” nux indica ” in 1280.
In the 1600s, Sir Francis Drake called them ” nargils “. Finally, in 1700, the Portuguese finally gave him his name.
The coconut tree is used for many purposes in culture and daily life in the countries where it originated. Over the years, the leaves could be used to make baskets, water and milk to drink, flesh to eat, outside like utensils, bowls or musical instruments. Before large companies started producing coconut oil in bulk, people made it themselves by boiling coconut milk.
Traditionally, coconut oil has been used in different cultures in a variety of ways:
- Natural Sunscreen: As coconuts are endemic to the tropics and subtropics, locals have discovered that coconut oil works very well as a natural protective film against the sun. It blocks harmful UV rays but lets a few pass so that the body can synthesize the vitamin D we need.
- Moisturizer: Coconut oil is perfect for keeping skin hydrated and healthy. It helps to conserve water in the skin and helps repair wounds or edema.
- After Shampoo: coconut oil has been used to repair damaged hair. It helps hydrate the hair to make them shine and make them silky.
- Kills Lice: covering the scalp with coconut oil suffocates lice.
in the kitchen: coconut oil has been used in cooking for centuries.
Benefits Of Cooking Coconut Oil
When it comes to cooking, coconut oil is interesting.
Heat and oxygen can destroy the beneficial fats of some oils. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most fragile and are not recommended for cooking. Coconut oil, mainly saturated fats, can withstand higher temperatures than other oils.
It has been suggested in the past that coconut oil is bad for cooking. However, these studies were conducted decades ago taking into account only hydrogenated coconut oil. The truth is that coconut oil has been used in cooking for many generations in the world.
Scientists are discovering that cooking with coconut oil can have many health benefits.
Weightloss
Cooking with coconut oil can be helpful if you are trying to lose weight.
It naturally increases your metabolism, eliminates unnecessary stress on the pancreas, which helps burn more energy and reduce weight. Coconut oil also contains short and medium chain fatty acids, which can help you lose weight as well. Easy to digest, you will also find that coconut oil contributes to the health of your thyroid.
Digestion
Cooking with coconut oil can be beneficial for your digestive system because it contains saturated fats with anti-microbial properties that help eliminate parasites, bacteria and other elements that can cause indigestion problems.
It can help prevent stomach problems like irritable bowel syndrome because it is easy to digest. Coconut oil is also healthy because it helps your body absorb nutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Immune system
Cooking with coconut oil is a great way to boost your immune system. It has beneficial properties like anti-microbial lipids, lauric acid and capricious acid. It also contains caprylic acid which has antiviral and antifungal benefits.
Your body can use these elements to turn them into monolaurin, a substance that helps prevent viruses and bacteria that can lead to diseases such as the flu, herpes, HIV and cancer. People with diabetes will find that coconut oil can help control their blood sugar levels and improve insulin secretion.
It has also been proven that coconut oil helps to dissolve kidney stones.
Heart disease
Cooking with coconut oil is now considered beneficial for your heart. It contains 50% lauric acid, which is known to help control conditions such as hypercholesterolemia and high blood pressure. Unlike other vegetable oils, the saturated fats of coconut oil are not harmful and will not increase your LDL levels.