Benefits
Coconut Oil's myriad of health benefits include; powerful fat burning properties, boosts metabolism, sustains blood sugar levels, satiety, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial. Its fat burning potential comes from the high concentration of medium chained fatty acids or MCFA’s – a type of fatty acid which is quickly processed and turned into energy by the liver. This means there is less strain on the liver, pancreas and digestive system as a whole, and an improved absorption of other nutrients.
Coconut Oil is second only to human breast milk in its Lauric Acid content, this powerful substance can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Caprylic Acid is another one of the three fatty acids (capric acid being the third) that are found in coconut oil. It is a potent antifungal that kills Candida and other intestinal parasites.
Due to its fat composition being very stable, Coconut Oil is highly resistant to free radicals being generated when it is heated, even at high temperatures and is an especially safe oil to cook with.
The inclusion of the right types of fats and oils in our diet is crucial if we are to assist our body in healing and repairing itself from the cellular level upwards.
Coconut benefits don't stop with oil, Coconut Palm Sugar is often praised for its low levels of fructose, low glycemic index and is a great sugar alternative in cooking. The sugar is made by harvesting the blossoms of the coconut tree, a cut is made on the spadix allowing the sap to flow into containers, this is then gently heated until all the water evaporates.
Folklore and history
Coconut has a 4000 year history of use in tropical countries. All parts of the coconut were used for health, nutrition, beauty and medicine.
However in 1950's Coconut Oil got a bad name because of it's saturated fat content, however this is likely due to the fact that hydrogenated coconut oil was tested. At that time the importance of a pure untoxic source of saturated fats was not appreciated nutritionally.
Coconut Palm Sugar has a long history of use as a natural sweetener in the South and South-East Asian regions.
Traditional use
Coconut Oil has many uses, culinary, medicinal and in beauty care. It has been used by indigenous populations for centuries as a natural lotion to heal and protect the skin. A carrier substance for natural skin care preparations, Coconut Oil is often included in the making of body butters and can also be used as a massage oil. Traditionally used to treat head lice for centuries, the oil was applied to the scalp and the hair which was left overnight before combing through and washing the next morning.
Typical use
Coconut oil can be used in food preparation as a direct substitute for other fats.
Coconut oil is a strong detoxifier so we recommend starting with a teaspoon, 2-3 times a day and see how your body reacts and build up as your body gets used to it. There are many ways to use coconut oil including mixing into yoghurts, smoothies, making raw chocolate & even adding it to coffee.
Constituents
Coconut Oil contains trimyristin and trilaurin, and in smaller proportions tripalmitin, tristearin, and triolein, besides the glycerides of the volatile caproic, caprylic, and capric acids. The free fatty acids vary from 5 to 17 per cent, or even more, according to the source of the oil.
Precautions
None known.