Organic coconut oil is a natural product that is neither bleached, hydrogenated, nor deodorized. It is extracted from the meat of mature fresh coconuts harvested from the coconut palm, and virgin coconut oil is made from the first pressing of fresh, raw coconuts, without the addition of any chemicals. Here are some positive and negative aspects of coconut oil:
Positive:
- Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid believed to raise HDL, and the fatty acids in coconut oil might be digested more easily and have also been known to kill harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Coconut oil is extremely versatile and can be heated to high temperatures, making it ideally suited for frying and baking and adding a fine, exotic note to dishes.
- Raw, unrefined coconut oil has a very mild flavor and scent, making it an excellent skin and hair moisturizer or for “oil pulling”.
Negative:
- Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise harmful LDL cholesterol levels.
- Coconut oil contains no fiber and little to no other vitamins or minerals.
- Coconut oil is almost 100% fat, most of which is saturated fat.
The key ingredients in organic coconut oil are medium-chain-triglycerides, lauric acid, and fatty acids. Coconut oil is 100% fat, 80-90% of which is saturated fat. It contains no cholesterol, no fiber, and only traces of vitamins, minerals, and plant sterols.
