Making Health a Priority in COVID Times: Coconut Oil Health Benefits 2020

Refined Coconut Oil is extracted from dried copra and has no coconut aroma or flavor. Refined Coconut Oil is usually produced using Expeller Pressed Method (oil is extracted from nuts and seeds under high pressure and heat using a mechanical process) and undergoes various processing levels which include bleaching and deodorizing. Whereas, Virgin Coconut Oil can be extracted using Cold Pressed Method (coconut oil is extracted from coconut milk); Chilling, freezing and thawing Method (centrifugation process is used), Fermentation method (probiotic bacteria is induced) and Aqueous enzymatic extraction method (mixture of enzymes including Term amyl, Cellules, neutrase, Viscozyme L and alcalase are used on fresh coconut).

Refined cooking oil is produced using chemical processing and has a higher smoking point of 400 degrees (useful for sautéing, baking and stir frying) as compared to virgin coconut oil which is extracted using natural process and has a smoke point of 350 degrees (good for cooking on medium heat). Both the oils have the same nutritional profile and can be used for cooking interchangeably, and either of the oils can be used on regular basis. But ensure not to use deodorized or bleached coconut oil for consumption.

Coconut Oil is often termed as superfood due to the exclusive combination of fatty acids present and the positive effects it can have on your health like heart health, aiding fat loss and stimulating brain function. Mentioned below are few of the many benefits of coconut oil on health based on various studies.

The high percentage of natural saturated fats or the fatty acids present in Coconut Oil helps to increase the HDL levels (good cholesterol) in your body which decreases the chances of heart related ailments. In a study done on 40 women, regular consumption of coconut oil in a controlled manner decreased the LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL as compared to soybean oil. In another study done on 116 people, a diet including coconut oil raised the HDL levels in participants suffering from CAD (Coronary Artery Disease).

In an animal study done in 2009, the results suggested that MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) present in Coconut may help to fight obesity and preserve the insulin sensitivity which is the main factors leading to type 2 Diabetes. Another study done on rats in 2009 found improved glucose tolerance and lower cholesterol levels; which helps patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. Also, people suffering from diabetes often have problems related to gallbladder and liver and the high level of MCTs does not increase any burden on the liver, pancreas and gall.

In some parts of the world, people regularly use Coconut Oil as a dietary staple for generations and vouch for the benefits of it on the heart. To support this theory, a study done in 1981 mentioned that people of Tokelau (an island chain in the South Pacific) received around 60% of the required calories from Coconuts and the report concluded good overall health and low rates of heart diseases in them. Similarly, people of Papua, New Guinea also have Coconut as one of the essential parts of their diet and the majority of them have no heart stroke or heart disease.

The fatty acids of Coconut provide instant energy to your body and brain by burning fat, thus boosting metabolism which helps in weight loss. Moreover these fatty acids can reduce appetite thus aiding the weight loss process. One of the major reasons of weight gain is the abdominal fat which deposits in the abdominal cavity and around the major organs. MCTs present in Coconut Oil have shown positive results to effectively reduce belly fat and lowering the Body Mass Index (BMI).

There are few evidences based on research that ketogenic diet is useful in various disorders and drug resistant treatment of epilepsy in children. Result of studies show that keto diet can drastically reduce the rate of seizures in children suffering from epilepsy. The MCTs in Coconut Oil goes to the liver and transform into ketones, which increases the ketone bodies in the blood and can help to reduce seizures in children.

Coconut Oil has strong liver protecting properties as suggested by a research. The MCTs form about two-third of the fat content in coconut oil and upon consumption, these MCTs breaks down in the body and utilizes the beneficial properties of the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These MCFAs are further mobilized into the liver from the digestive tract and are instantly used to provide energy to the body. These fats don’t get stored in the body like other fats, thus reducing the workload of liver. The antimicrobial properties of the MCFAs are also helpful to kill the harmful and infectious viruses which can cause hepatitis and other problems in liver.

A 3 months study was conducted on 40 women suffering from abdominal obesity and the results stated that the women who took approx 30 ml of coconut oil per day experienced noticeable reduction in waist measurement as well as the Body Mass Index (BMI). Similarly, a 4 week study on 20 men suffering from obesity showed a 1.1 inch reduction in waist circumference with the same amount of coconut oil per day.

With all the benefits of Coconut Oil on health, there are few possible side effects and risks involved as well. Coconut Oil is high calorie oil, so if taken with a high calorie diet can result in weight gain. Also, it has unsaturated fats, which according to few health experts is not recommended to boost heart health.

Coconut Oil can be introduced in your diet in many different ways viz. stir fry or sauté-fry oil in pan for chicken, fish, eggs or vegetables; as a substitute for butter or eggs in baking dishes like vegetable or curry; subsequently one tsp Coconut Oil can be added to a cup of tea or coffee.