Friday fat facts

Of all the oils, there is one in particular that is in a class by itself: Coconut oil! It possesses such unparalleled health benefits that entire island nations escaped Western disease for generations by consuming only coconut oil—until it was falsely vilified. Once thought to be unhealthy because it is a saturated fat, coconut oil has been shown to be one of the healthiest oils on the planet. 

Here is a short list of some of many the health benefits.

Coconut oil:

·         is comprised of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are easily digested and readily cross cell membranes. MCFAs are immediately converted by your liver into energy rather than being stored as fat.

·         combats disease

·         beautifies and protects the skin—even against skin cancer!

·         contains a unique combination of fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties-plus a specific healing compound that fights bacterial and viral infections

·         protects against UVB rays

·         is a powerful destroyer of all kinds of microbes, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa, many of which can be harmful, and provides your body with high quality fat that is critical for optimal health

·         aids heart health

·         promotes healthy brain function

·         provides an excellent “fuel” for your body and supporting a strong metabolism that can aid in weight loss

·         supports proper thyroid function

·         strengthens your immune system

·         maintains youthful and healthy looking skin

·         is easy on your digestive system and does not produce an insulin spike in your bloodstream, so for a quick energy boost, you could simply eat a spoonful of coconut oil, or add it to your food.

To get more coconut oil into your diet, you can add it to your tea or coffee, in lieu of a sweetener. It will also help improve absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, so taking a spoonful of coconut oil along with your daily vitamins may help boost their effectiveness. Coconut oil is ideal for all sorts of cooking and baking, as it can withstand higher temperatures without being damaged like many other oils (olive oil, for example, should not be used for cooking for this reason). Try to get 3 tablespoons a day for maximum benefit.

Furthermore, coconut oil does not go rancid, which is a huge boon when you’re making homemade concoctions. Coconut oil that has been kept at room temperature for a year has been tested for rancidity, and showed no evidence of it. Since you would expect the small percentage of unsaturated oils naturally contained in coconut oil to become rancid, it seems that the other (saturated) oils have a powerful antioxidant effect. 

If you don't like the taste of coconut, the taste is easily masked. Used in cooking, it is virtually unnoticeable. In fact, it enhances the flavour of the food you are cooking. And added to other foods, even smoothies, the taste goes undetected. 

Do you need any more reasons to incorporate coconut oil into your daily diet?