Spectacular 2nd Edition of the World's Healthiest Foods is now complete and ready to order at the same low price of $39.95. You will also receive 2 free gifts valued at $51.95
To order and more. . .
The George Mateljan Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or
advertising, is a new force for change to help make a healthier you and a healthier world.
What do you think of coconut oil?

Recent studies are showing the health benefits of coconut oil, which had been looked upon as a source of saturated fats and therefore to be avoided for those individuals with concerns over their cholesterol levels.

While it is true that coconut contains saturated fats, what is now being brought to light is that there are actually different types of saturated fats, just like there are different types of fats in general, and some types of saturated fats are good for you.

A very traditional food, coconut oil is making a comeback these days as a popular cooking oil. Much of the saturated fat in coconuts is not long chain, but medium-chain fatty acids; in fact, coconut oil contains between approximately 55-65% 62% medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), including the healthy fats, lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. (Lauric acid is the most plentiful of the MCFAs in coconut oil, and sometimes accounts for as much as 75% of this oil's total MCFAs). MCFAs have been used for many years as dietary supplements in situations where absorption of nutrients needs improvement, including situations involving premature infants and adults with compromised bowel function. In some areas of the world where coconut oil is a regular component of the diet, the milk of nursing mothers is rich in MCFAs, and may be related to desirable health trends in later life.

While the research points in this direction, there doesn't seem to be enough clinical research to conclusively state this at this point. I have also noticed that coconut oil is a very well promoted subject on the web, with many claims for its health benefits, notably for its antiviral activity. But from the research I have seen, many of these conclusions seem very preliminary given that there has not been that much research published on this subject and that which has been conducted has often been done on individual components of coconut oil. Yet, the research published to date suggests coconut oil is healthful.

Another good thing about coconut oil is that its saturated fatty acid profile gives it a higher smoke point than many polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils. Therefore, while I don't like to use oil in high heat applications, I understand that some people do. Coconut oil may be a good oil for this type of cooking.

Printer friendly version

Send this page to a friend...

rss


If you want to learn everything about how to eat and cook healthier, here's the book for you.
2nd Edition
Order this Incredible 2nd Edition at the same low price of $39.95 and also get 2 FREE gifts valued at $51.95. Read more

Newsletter SignUp

Your Email:

What You Should Know This Week

Find out what foods you should eat this week, the recipe and nutrient of the week, and the Smart Menu on our home page.

Healthy Eating
Healthy Cooking
Nutrients from Food
Website Articles
Community
Privacy Policy and Visitor Agreement
References
For education only, consult a healthcare practitioner for any health problems.

We're Number 1
in the World!

35 million visitors per year.
The World's Healthiest Foods website is a leading source of information and expert on the Healthiest Way of Eating and Cooking. It's one of the most visited website on the internet when it comes to "Healthiest Foods" and "Healthiest Recipes" and comes up #1 on a Google search for these phrases.

Over 100 Quick &
Easy Recipes

Our Recipe Assistant will help you find the recipe that suits your personal needs. The majority of recipes we offer can be both prepared and cooked in 20 minutes or less from start to finish; a whole meal can be prepared in 30 minutes. A number of them can also be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed later.

World's Healthiest
Foods
is expanded

What's in our new book:
  • 180 more pages
  • Smart Menu
  • Nutrient-Rich Cooking
  • 300 New Recipes
  • New Nutrient Articles and Profiles
  • New Photos and Design
privacy policy and visitor agreement | who we are | site map | what's new
For education only, consult a healthcare practitioner for any health problems.
© 2001-2015 The George Mateljan Foundation, All Rights Reserved