Coconut oil is definitely one of the healthiest oils on the planet, with a myriad of health benefits and uses. Over 1,500 studies have confirmed its miraculous medicinal properties, which are mostly due to its unique content.
Namely, it contains healthy fats known as medium-chain fatty acids, which have lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid.
All of these fatty acids are extremely healthy, and about 62 percent of the oils in coconut are made up of them, and 91 percent of the fat is healthy saturated fat.
They are much better than long-chain fatty acids, as they have potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, help the easier cell permeability for energy, are digested much easier, and aren’t stored as fat but converted as energy instead.
This oil treats kidneys infections, alleviates inflammation energizes the body, prevents heart disease and hypertension, strengthens the immune system, treats Alzheimer`s disease, protects the liver, helps digestion, helps weight loss, relieves skin issues, and treats cancer.
Coconut oil is also an excellent natural beauty product, and it can be used as body oil, itch relief, body scrub, makeup removal oil, lip balm, lice remedy, shaving cream, breath freshener, under eye cream, stretch mark cream, massage oil, night cream, dandruff treatment, and deodorant.
Yet, in order to reap all these benefits, you should always choose the right type of coconut oil. It can be of two major types: virgin and refined.
This is all you need to know about these coconut oil types:
Virgin Coconut Oil:
- Coconut flavor and scent
- Heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made out of fresh coconuts
- Unrefined
- Certified organic and non-GMO
Refined Coconut Oil:
- Neutral flavor and scent
- Heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made out of dried coconuts
- Steam refined, without chemicals
- Certified organic and non-GMO
How It Is made?
- Virgin Coconut Oil. It is made out of fresh coconut meat which is scooped out of the shell and then is pressed. This meat leaves behind the coconut oil. It is completely natural and has a pure flavor.
- Refined Coconut Oil. It is made out of dried coconut meat. The neutral flavor is achieved by steam refine of the oil. Be careful because some producers add some harmful chemicals to produce this type of oil.
The Use of Coconut Oil
The coconut oil has a wide range of uses from body and health care to cooking and baking. Both of these types of oil can be used interchangeably, depending on your preference for taste and smell.
In the process of cooking, the refined coconut oil has a higher point of smoke, at 400 degrees making it ideal for baking or frying. In case when the coconut flavor is not wanted, it is better to use refined coconut oil.
Which type of oil is better for you?
Both of them!
They have the same nutritional value and only differ in the aroma and taste. Both of them have 63% of medium chain triglycerides, including 50% of lauric acid.
How to buy the best coconut oil?
Be careful about these key characteristics when buying coconut oil:
- Non-GMO product
- Certified organic product
- Confirm that virgin coconut oil is:
- Cold-pressed
- Made without hexane
- Without deodorants or bleach
- Confirm that the refined coconut oil is:
- Refined without harsh chemicals
- Steam-refined
