Coconut oil – is it healthy or not?

Is coconut oil good for you? There appears to be a great deal of confusion about the health benefits of coconut oil. So what is the truth? Should you eat it or ditch it?

Lets look at some facts first:

• Coconut oil is a natural rich source of medium-chain fatty acid. Those fatty acids burn better/faster than long chain fatty acids found in products such as beef, pork and cheese. Long chain fatty acids are also known to lower our metabolic rate… which is not good, so consume sparingly! Interestingly, when consumed, coconut oil skips your gallbladder and goes straight to your liver. This means less strain on your digestive system. Another benefit is not feeling the heaviness like you would do eating another fatty meal.
• coconut oil is a saturated fat, but in contrary to other saturated fats, like those present in meat or cheese, it is easy to digest and is beneficial in terms of metabolism, blood glucose levels and HDL (good cholesterol). Not all saturated fats are bad after all!
• coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and it also contains some capric acid, both have antibacterial and antiviral benefits

Bottom line: Coconut oil is a fat and excess intake of fat is simply not healthy. Yes, good quality oils are best but if you consume excess it will not do you any good plus excess calories will show on your waistline. 2 table spoons a day will be plenty! I like to put a tiny bit it in my coffee, it gives it a sweet flavour.

In order to get the health benefits of coconut oil, choose an organic cold pressed option, preferably in a glass jar, and always avoid refined versions.