Why you should use Virgin Coconut Oil?

I cannot help but think that the coconut oil’s name and standing have taken a major beating as more and more people have become health conscious and have begun turning to refined oil for cooking. People talk about the high quantities of saturated fat in coconut oil (90%), and how too much saturated fats can increase your LDL levels and lead to an increased chance of developing heart conditions. However, how much truth is there in this claim?

Is coconut oil bad for you?

While it is true that coconut oil has an extremely large portion of saturated fats in them, the difference between coconut oil and other unhealthy saturated fats is that the former has MCTs while the latter is filled with LCTs. MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides have shorter fatty acid chains when compared to LCTs or long-chain triglycerides. These shorter fatty acids directly go to your liver and can be used by your body as a quick source of energy or ketones. Ketones have been shown to have a large range of positive health benefits to the body and brain and are proven to be beneficial in the treatment of seizures, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and more. So, if used correctly and in moderation, coconut oil is extremely good for you.

What is Virgin Coconut oil?

What differentiates normal coconut oil from Virgin Coconut oil is the process by which it is extracted. Refined coconut oil is extracted from copra or the dried coconut meat by steam refining it through an organic process. However, Virgin Coconut oil is made by cold pressing fresh coconut meat, giving it a tropical coconut scent and flavour. The cold-pressing process helps the virgin coconut oil to preserve most of its natural minerals and nutrients that might be lost during normal extraction, making it healthier.

Now let us look at some benefits of using coconut oil.

1. Coconut oil contains healthy fatty acids: The fatty acids in coconut oil has been shown to help increase HDL or good cholesterol in your blood and help reduce the chance of heart diseases. It is also a great and easy source of energy and ketones that the body can use when needed.
2. It may encourage fat burning: While most people associate fat with calorie intake and expenditure, the source of calories can also play a big role in how it is spent. While no research has been done on the specific effects of coconut oil, one study has found out that consuming 15 to 30 grams of MCTs a day can increase energy expenditure by nearly 5%.
3. It has antimicrobial properties: Most of us are aware of the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil. Lauric acid, which makes up 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil, turns to monolaurin when it is digested. Both Lauric acid and monolaurin have been shown to kill pathogens like virus, bacteria and fungi.
4. It is known to improve brain health: MCTs have been shown to be effective in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, seizures and has also been known to improve the overall health of the brain. Reducing carbohydrates and getting more of the daily caloric requirement in fats, especially coconut oil, has been shown to help kids with seizures and forms the idea behind the ketogenic diet.
5. It may improve good cholesterol levels: Contrary to popular belief, consuming coconut oil might actually be good for your heart. The MCTs increase the amount of HDL or good cholesterol in your blood while also turning the LDL into less harmful forms.
6. It is great for skin, hair and teeth: Coconut oil also has a bevvy of external uses and benefits. It is been used for skin and hair care for ages and has been shown to be effective as a weak sunscreen. Applying coconut oil on your skin allows it to retain moisture and reduce the effects of eczema while swishing it in your teeth is shown to kill harmful bacteria. This improves the overall health of your teeth, reduce bad breath and more, though more concrete evidence is needed.

Refined or Virgin?

While both refined coconut oil and virgin coconut oil has been shown to have similar properties, the latter is miles above the former in quality. And when it comes to virgin coconut oil, Qnet Nutriplus Virgin Coconut Oil is your best bet for a healthy and chemical-free fat source. Made from freshest and purest of coconut sourced from Kerala, Qnet Nutriplus Virgin Coconut Oil is known for its taste, fragrance, antimicrobial properties and more. It is free of any added chemicals or bleaching agents and can be consumed directly. It is the perfect addition to your daily routine if you wish to improve your health and general well-being.