Coconut Oil Benefits | Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a part of the tropical
oils family alongside palm oil and palm kernel oil and has been used
in tropical
countries for many
thousands of years. Coconut oil was once popular in America and Europe,
however, after a series of bad publicity during the 1970’s and
80’s (based upon research funded by the commercial oil conglomerates)
the oil became disregarded by many and labeled as a health threat.
More recently, these tropical oils have begun to make
a comeback. Modern research into essential fatty acids has proven beyond
doubt that medium-chain
saturated fats can have many health benefits and as coconut oil and other
tropical oils are extremely high in these they have started to reappear
in health shops around the world.
The health
benefits of coconut oil are now being researched
and discussed. This is largely based on its content of lauric acid
(coconut oil offers the highest concentration of lauric acid – its
only rival being mother’s milk!), which is more commonly recognised
for the benefits it brings to goods such as soap and cosmetics. However,
recent research has highlighted its health benefits including its
antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoal functions (plus the antimicrobial
function provided by the capric acid in coconut oil).
Another coconut oil benefit is that it has a far
greater shelf life than many other oils, with some studies showing
that it does not become rancid even at room temperature when left
exposed for months! As it can remain stable even with light and
heat exposure, it can be considered to be a healthier cooking oil
than most other oils (although heating any oils is not especially
healthy!)
Are there Health Benefits to Coconut Oil? Is Coconut Oil Healthy?
There is no doubt that coconut oil can have some health benefits. The
content of lauric acid in such a high proportion is certainly unique
and could be very beneficial. Lauric acid has been used very successfully
in AIDS treatments, and many cross-cultural research studies proffer
the correlation between the low incidence of AIDS and greater longevity
in certain tropical countries and their high use of coconut oil.
However, fears still surround its saturated fat content and the Harvard
School of Public Health comments that coconut oil can raise both good
(HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL).
