Coconut oil is oil that is extracted from the coconut’s kernel. This oil has been used for years in Southeast Asia. It is especially popular in India where they also use it for their hair and beauty treatments.
Coconut oil is composed of more than 85% saturated fats. Do not panic yet. These are medium-chain triglycerides which are healthy fats.
One of the greatest benefits of coconut oil is that it contains lauric acid. This is the secret weapon in coconut oil because it is antiprotozoal in nature.
That makes it a natural form of medication that has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Like they say, “Prevention is better than cure” … and coconut oil prevents any potential health problem from taking root.
The best type of coconut oil is the cold pressed kind. The oil will have a sweet, pleasant taste and it could be clear or a light yellow in color.
Coconut oil is very potent, and it is also calorie dense. 1 gram of coconut oil contains almost 9 calories. It is essentially pure fat, and 1 teaspoon of it contains 4.5 grams of total fat.
The average person should consume no more than 25 percent to 35 percent of their daily calorie as fats. A person on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet will require around 55 to 77 grams of total fat. That means, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil will suffice.
To find out your daily caloric requirement, you may visit http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm From there you can do the math and see how much fat you will need. A general rule of thumb will be 2 tablespoons of coconut oil if you are a man and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil if you are a woman.
Coconut oil is ideal for cooking methods such as frying, grilling, etc. Unlike extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil has a high smoke point and is stable in high heat. That makes it fantastic for frying meats, grilling steaks and barbecuing.
Many people use extra virgin olive oil in their cooking without realizing that it has oxidative damage at high heat. It would be much better to use coconut oil instead.
The ratio of saturated, polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats in coconut oil is 86.5: 1.8: 5.8, respectively.
The fats in coconut oil are rapidly assimilated into the body and used as fuel. The lauric acid and medium-chain triglycerides are quickly converted and used as energy, this in turn will cause a boost in your metabolic rate and raise your good cholesterol levels. This one fact alone should prove that your body loves coconut oil.
The human body is an intelligent organism and knows what it needs. If you were to consume alcohol in high amounts, your body would expel the alcohol through your skin, through urine and even by causing you to vomit. It does NOT WANT alcohol. Yet, it quickly absorbs and uses coconut oil very effectively. You should get the hint.
Coconut oil should always be stored in a cool place, and it is recommended that you only consume virgin coconut oil. Besides health uses, coconut oil has hundreds of other uses.
It can be used to detox your body, whiten your teeth, cure acne problems, whiten your teeth, etc.
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