Coconut oil is obtained from the pulp of coconut (copra) by cold or hot pressing. By hot pressing, much more finished raw material is obtained, but it is less useful. The cold pressing method preserves all the useful qualities of the product. The pulp of a coconut is separated from its shell, chopped, then dried and squeezed out of it oil. Coconut oil is of 2 types: 1. refined 2. unrefined. Refined (refined oil) is almost odorless, and unrefined - a pronounced smell of coconut. Coconut oil is a pale yellow oily liquid. At room temperature, it is liquid, and in the refrigerator it turns into a solid substance, similar to margarine, white. Refined coconut oil is more transparent, it is cleaned without chemical additives under high pressure and is widely used in cosmetology, and unrefined in soap making and cooking.

The benefits and harms of coconut oil

A good quality coconut oil must contain at least 50% fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated). Coconut oil consists of such acids as: lauric, myristic, oleic, caprylic, capric, palmitic, linoleic, caproic, stearic. It contains vitamins E and K, antioxidants, mineral elements (phosphorus, iron) and polyphenols. It contains medium chain triglycerides that are readily absorbed by the body. The oil has a protective, emollient, wound healing, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral effect - this is due to its benefit to the body. Coconut oil can cause harm only in case of individual intolerance.

The healing properties of coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the ancient remedies. It is used for cosmetic purposes to care for the skin of the body and face, as it softens the skin, protects it from ultraviolet rays, nourishes, smoothes and makes it soft. It perfectly treats and strengthens hair, eliminates dandruff, makes it smooth and silky. Coconut oil is used for massage. Coconut oil is used to treat a number of diseases. It is recommended for violations of the digestive system, to improve intestinal microflora. Coconut oil strengthens the immune system, increases the ability to resist diseases, viruses and bacteria. It lowers cholesterol, providing protection against atherosclerosis. Oil reduces the risk of cancer and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. Its useful properties are used to strengthen teeth and gums, normalize the thyroid gland, cleanse blood vessels, normalize hormone production, treat psoriasis and the prostate gland, strengthen the nervous and skeletal systems, and absorb nutrients, including magnesium and calcium. It is used to prevent diseases of the bladder, liver and kidneys. It is also used for female diseases and ailments associated with menstruation. Douching with coconut oil helps restore microflora, relieve inflammation. It does not have side problems like antibiotics. Calorie content of coconut oil 899 kcal. It is high in calories, but it is easily burned in the body without delay. It speeds up the metabolic processes in the body, so it is used in weight loss programs. It is recommended to use it daily, taking before meals to improve digestion and metabolism.

An excellent source of health and energy for vegetarians, raw foodists and people leading a healthy lifestyle. Coconut oil improves the body's ability to absorb various minerals. These include calcium and magnesium, which are essential for healthy bones. Therefore, coconut oil is so beneficial for older women prone to osteoporosis.

Coconut oil perfectly strengthens the immune system, helps to lose weight, reduces cholesterol, protects the body from viruses and bacteria, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, normalizes the metabolism and thyroid gland, cleanses blood vessels, improves digestion, and cleanses the intestines. And this is not the whole list of the beneficial effects of coconut oil on the body. It contains a lot of antioxidants and is the best oil to maintain and restore health and youth.

Scientific studies have shown that lauric acid in coconut oil ideally helps maintain cholesterol levels in the normal range. Coconut oil has many useful properties and prescriptions for use in various diseases.

If used internally, this helps to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart and cancer. In addition, the body becomes resistant to viral diseases and various infections, due to the fact that the oil strengthens the immune system and at the same time reduces the ability of viruses to adapt to antibiotics. Coconut oil is not stored in the human body as fat, unlike many other oils.

SCIENTIFIC FACTS

• Dr. Bruce Fife revealed that coconut oil contains 10 types of fatty acids with an average carbon chain length (TSC). Each of them is already in itself a nutrient, and also stimulates the improvement of the absorption of other substances: vitamins, minerals from other products.
• Thanks to these properties, coconut oil provides energy to all vital processes, and increases the level of resistance to viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
• Coconut oil contributes to weight loss because it speeds up metabolism, breaks down into energy, not turning into fat stores and causes the process of thermogenesis.

Coconut oil is the only oil that does not break down when exposed to high temperatures, which is very important in a healthy diet.

Natural coconut oil is one of the most harmless and safe officially registered foods with no known side effects.

APPLICATION

Drink 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily in the morning on an empty stomach, drinking plenty of water. It is better to start taking oil with a half-teaspoon, gradually increasing to 2 tablespoons.

FOR SLIMMING
   Take one tablespoon of coconut oil before meals.
But drink no more than three tablespoons of oil per day. Children are advised to take half or one teaspoon, depending on their age. You can safely mix coconut oil with other foods.

FOR DIGESTION AND INTESTINE
   Drink 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil mixed with warm water or drink a glass of warm water to improve digestion and cleanse the intestines. If this is your first time drinking this oil, start with half a teaspoon and gradually increase. For older people, it is recommended that you take no more than one tablespoon of coconut oil per day.

If you feel tired and lethargic, your thoughts are confused, slow metabolism and extra pounds, wrinkles, dry skin, scaly spots or eczema. You need to buy coconut oil and consume it regularly. All your problems will be resolved within a few months.

It used to be that coconut oil was harmful because it contains a large amount of various fats. Now this product has returned to the kitchens of many housewives precisely because it can help from all of the above ailments. For a long time it was believed that coconut oil is unsuitable for food, but studies have shown that the fats contained in this oil are very good for our health.
Here are some of the benefits of adding oil to your diet:

• Coconut oil will regulate the thyroid gland. If you constantly feel tired, lethargic and constantly forget something, it means that your thyroid gland needs nutrition. It will be beneficial for you to consume coconut oil.
• Regulates the metabolism. If you want to lose extra pounds, then add oil to your diet, it will increase the metabolic rate. Remember that when you go on a diet, your body lacks many nutrients and therefore tries to stock them, thus, excess deposits are formed. If your diet will have a lot of healthy fats, then the body will not need to put them aside.

Everyone agrees that it is good for skin and hair, but when it comes to the benefits of edible coconut oil when ingested, a lot of questions and discussions immediately arise.
  And not surprisingly: the skin can be evaluated after the first application by tactile sensations, but to determine the effect of oil on the body as a whole is much more difficult.

The most common comments on an article about the benefits of coconut oil object to the benefits of saturated fatty acids. We will talk about the properties of oil and biochemistry about whether all saturated fatty acids are equally harmful, in this article.

A small caveat: in this article we are talking about the properties of natural unrefined edible coconut oil of the first, cold pressed (virdgin).

Before turning to the translation of information about coconut oil from reputable sources on the Thai Internet, let's talk about the main "stumbling block", about saturated fatty acids.

Biochemist or harm coconut oil

If we consider fatty acids as a class, of course, most of them are not very useful. Saturated fatty acids are found primarily in animal fats. Most of them are solids having a high melting point. They can be absorbed by the body without the participation of bile acids, this determines their high nutritional value. However, excesses of many saturated fatty acids are inevitably deposited.
  But they come in different long chains, as well as interchangeable and irreplaceable.

A person needs fats, since vitamins and minerals are easily dissolved in them (and, therefore, are easily digested), but long-chain saturated fatty acids are difficult to digest. For their digestion, the body has to secrete bile and digestive enzymes, sometimes overloading the liver, gall bladder, pancreas and intestines. People suffering from diabetes, liver disease, or undergoing surgery to remove the gallbladder experience special problems with this.

However, due to the easy digestibility of medium chain fatty acids (which make up edible coconut oil), it does not cause such problems and begins to be absorbed even in the stomach. Saturated fatty acids with an average chain length are very easily broken down by enzymes and absorbed without clogging the blood vessels. Then they are converted into energy that improves liver function. And also this oil contains immunity, essential for normal functioning, and irreplaceable saturated lauric and myristic acid.

Even saturated fatty acids in most have a high melting point, and if it is higher than the human body, they are poorly absorbed, clogging the stomach and intestines, and if they are digested, they are deposited in vessels. The melting point of coconut oil is 25 degrees. I have no friends with a lower body temperature, and you?

Now let's get to the information from the Thai Internet. Here is what they write there:
Based on materials from the Department of Botany of the Pharmaceutical Faculty of the Research University of Mahidol

  Edible coconut oil more than 90% consists of saturated fats, most of which are medium chain triglycerides. Most of all it contains essential lauric acid, which is well absorbed by the body.

Medium chain fatty acids do not accumulate in adipose tissue. Their molecular weight is less than that of long chain fatty acids such as Lenoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid derived, for example, from soybean oil)

Conclusion: everything is good in moderation. If you take coconut oil according to the recommended dosages, it will only benefit your body

Now let's move on to other sources:

Coconut edible oil, in addition to the essential medium chain saturated fatty acids, also contains important minerals and some fat-soluble vitamins, such as calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, D, E, K, which are instantly absorbed. This is what makes coconut oil a healthy product in every way.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

1.Accelerates the metabolism
  The calorie content of coconut oil is 8.6 kcal per gram, while other oils contain at least 9 kcal per gram. The use of saturated fatty acids contained in the oil does not lead to the formation of free radicals, and the oil itself does not contain trans fats. Due to the content of lauric, caproic and caprylic acid, coconut oil speeds up metabolism for up to 24 hours, improving the absorption of food and burning calories.

2. Stimulates bowel function.
  Coconut oil should be consumed sparingly. Due to the high content of saturated fats, it stimulates the colon, which is why diarrhea may occur at the beginning of the use of this oil. This is a normal reaction. However, if diarrhea occurs when a small amount of oil is consumed, it is better to stop taking it so as not to remove trace elements from the body.

3. Tones up.
  Edible coconut oil is easily absorbed by the body and does not lead to an increase in body weight. It has no side effects, so it is often recommended for athletes and the elderly.

4. Reduces the risk of Alzheimer's.
Coconut oil lowers the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL), thereby reducing the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart, liver and kidney diseases.

5. Protection of the skeletal system.
  Coconut oil is rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are necessary to maintain strong bones, so it can protect bones from destruction.

6. Use during pregnancy.
  Coconut oil is good for pregnancy and lactation. It nourishes the body of the mother and baby, helps give the baby good immunity and significantly increases the usefulness of breast milk, as it contains lauric acid, calcium and magnesium. This is an excellent tool to strengthen bones and teeth, prevent osteoporosis and prevent calcium loss during pregnancy.

7. Improves sleep.
  Coconut oil contains substances that help to relax. Daily use of coconut oil in small quantities improves sleep quality, relieves chronic fatigue, and reduces stress.

8. Reduces inflammation and helps fight infections.
  Edible edible cold-pressed oil facilitates the course of various diseases caused by infection. The reason, again, is lauric acid, which boosts immunity, fights bacteria and is a natural antibiotic, which alleviates the symptoms of infections such as flu, tonsillitis, herpes, and mumps.

9. Oral care.
  Coconut oil inhibits the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity, which leads to plaque and problems such as gingivitis, gum disease, swelling and bleeding of the gums. In addition, it helps treat throat diseases.

This oil can be used to rinse the throat and oral cavity.

To do this, take 1-2 tbsp. tablespoons per day and rinse your mouth for at least 15 minutes. The oil will turn white and foamy. It must be spat out, as it absorbs pathogenic microbes and toxins. This procedure also helps to improve the digestive system and reduce bad breath.
  You can apply coconut oil on your toothbrush and brush your teeth. Enough half a teaspoon. Oil gradually reduces plaque on the teeth, soothes and strengthens the gums.

10. Reduces the risk of cancer.
The high content of saturated fatty acids (up to 92%) helps to strengthen the body's immune system. Many vitamins that coconut oil contains are antioxidants. This results in a reduced risk of oncological diseases such as colon cancer, breast cancer and skin cancer.

11. Cold-pressed coconut oil stimulates the thyroid gland and speeds up metabolismdue to which it improves the condition of patients with diabetes. Drinking coconut oil increases insulin production, thereby accelerating the breakdown of sugar and reducing the load on the pancreas. In some cases, the pancreas can fully restore its functions.

You can read about the quality of coconut oil and types of unrefined oil in the article

And I’ll tell you how to use coconut oil inside, as well as storage features and precautions that should be considered when using coconut oil.

Not so long ago, coconut oil gained particular popularity among cosmetologists. However, after some time it became clear that such a product can be used for cooking. Coconut oil is rarely used in our country for food. However, the product has unique properties. It allows not only to enrich food with useful components, but also to lose weight. How is coconut oil used for food? The benefits and harms of this product have long been studied. In addition, it is combined with many products.

Oil application

Coconut oil was practically never used for food initially. It was considered exclusively a cosmetic product. This component is part of many branded care products not only for hair, but also for face and body. At home, coconut oil was often used to make masks and creams.

After some time, scientists have proven that this component is ideal for cooking. After all, there are a lot of components useful for the human body that can make food more saturated. With the help of coconut oil, you can not only improve your health, but also lose weight.

A bit of history

Coconut oil is a vegetable fat that has been used for centuries in the Philippines, Thailand, India and other Asian countries for cooking a variety of dishes. Gradually, his popularity is increasing. In the middle of the last century, it began to be used in the USA. However, after some time there was a suspicion that coconut oil is better not to use for food, since due to the high content of fats this component is harmful to health. But such an opinion was erroneous.

Oil composition

Edible coconut oil is made from the hardened pulp of already ripe coconuts. Get the product by hot pressing, as well as cold pressing. The latter method of oil production is considered the most sparing. It is worth noting that the product consists of about 99% fat, among which:

• saturated fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, caprylic, capric, lauric, caproic, butyric, and so on;
• monounsaturated: nervonic, oleic, palmitoleic and so on;
• polyunsaturated acids: omega-6 and omega-3;
• the remaining 1% is water.

If you use coconut oil for food (there are negative and positive reviews about it), then it should be said that it has a fairly high energy value: 900 kcal per 100 grams of product. This indicator he has a little more than that of sunflower and olive oils.

Beneficial features

Edible coconut oil is considered by many nutritionists to be unhealthy because of its high calorie content, and some, on the contrary, are beneficial. In their opinion, this is the most useful product of plant origin. Among its properties, the following are distinguished:

1. Coconut oil does not lose its beneficial qualities when heated. Such a product is recommended for frying. Indeed, in the process of such heat treatment, carcinogenic substances are not released.
2. Coconut oil has antibacterial and enveloping properties. Thanks to this, the product eliminates some digestive problems, while promoting the absorption of nutrients that enter the body with food.
3. Coconut oil has a positive effect on the condition of the liver, while improving its self-cleaning functions and stimulating the production of bile.
4. The fats that make up the oil generally have a positive effect on the state of the whole organism. Despite many opinions, the product does not cause an increase in cholesterol, but, on the contrary, removes it. If you use coconut oil for food, then you can avoid the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system and hypertension.
5. Thanks to this product, human bone tissue becomes stronger. This is explained by the fact that many fats contribute to the better absorption of magnesium, calcium and other trace elements.
6. Regular consumption of coconut oil allows you to normalize the endocrine system. Therefore, it is often recommended for those with diabetes.

It is worth noting that coconut oil is a hypoallergenic product. Individual intolerance is extremely rare.

Is Coconut Oil Harmful

According to expert reviews, coconut pulp oil can be harmful in some cases. If a person has an allergy to the nuts themselves or individual intolerance, then the use of oil should be abandoned forever. It is not recommended to abuse the product. A day is enough to consume no more than 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. After all, such a product is saturated with all kinds of fats and is high-calorie. Excessive consumption of coconut pulp oil can cause such unpleasant effects as disruption of the digestive system, as well as obesity.

What coconut oil is used in cooking

Unrefined and refined coconut oil is used for food. In addition, each variety has its own characteristics. Unrefined has a pleasant aroma. Therefore, it can be used for the preparation of dessert dishes, such as cheesecakes, pancakes and so on. It is safe to fry food in oil, since with sufficiently strong heating it does not lose its properties. In addition, no carcinogenic substances are formed during this heat treatment.

Refined coconut oil has almost no characteristic aroma. It is usually used for frying a variety of dishes: meat, vegetables, confectionery. In addition, refined coconut oil can be added to salads, soups, cereals, pasta, spread on bread, used to make toppings for cakes, waffles, cookies, and so on. But this is not all areas of its application. Oil can also be added to tea, cocoa, coffee. In industrial enterprises, this component is used for the production of spreads and margarines. Such products do less harm to the body than other vegetable oils.

What should be coconut oil

How to choose coconut oil for food? First you need to understand what a quality product looks like. It is worth noting that in many, even large shopping centers in Eastern Europe, it is very difficult to find coconut oil. They usually sell it frozen. Naturally, such a product is packaged with briquettes.

The color of coconut oil is fully consistent with the shade of the pulp of this nut. In this case, the product may be yellowish, white or slightly creamy. The high quality product has a uniform color. It is worth noting that even when frozen, coconut oil exudes a pleasant, slightly sweet aroma. Such a product melts at temperatures up to 25 ° C. However, you can store such oil not only in the refrigerator, but even at room temperature.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil in everyday life can replace any vegetable and animal fat, including butter, olive and sunflower oils. The product used is:

• when cooking cereals, mashed potatoes, potatoes, pasta;
• as a substitute for baking margarine;
• for frying in a pan and deep fryer, baking and stewing;
• for dressing salads from fruits and a variety of vegetables in melted form.

It is worth noting that coconut oil in combination with hot chocolate or warm milk is a good and tasty remedy for colds.

Is it possible to cook yourself

Now you know what coconut oil is for. For food, such a product can be prepared independently:

1. There are 4 marks on the nut, in the place where the fruit was attached to the palm tree. On them you need to make two holes, and then drain the milk. In the process of cooking oil, it is not required.
2. It is necessary to knock off the shell from the fetus, and then carefully cut the flesh. Grind the core in the combine or grate it.
3. The resulting mass is recommended to fill with water, preferably hot. When everything has cooled, it is necessary to put the container in the refrigerator.
4. A fatty crust about 0.5 centimeters thick should form on the water. It should be collected, melted, but not boiled.
5. As a result, liquid should form. It should be filtered, drained into a glass container and placed in a cold place. It is not recommended to store such a product for more than a week, since it can harm the body.

It is worth noting that about 50 milligrams of oil is obtained from one coconut. From the water that remains after the preparation of the product, you can make ice cubes. They are recommended to be used only for cosmetic purposes. Chips can be added to homemade scrubs or used to decorate finished baked goods.

Coconut oil can be called a universal product, because it is used in many fields - cosmetology, cooking, medicine, and even in the household: it is used to polish wooden furniture. The product is extracted from coconuts, or rather, from their pulp, which is called copra. Like most oils, coconut is made in two ways - by hot or cold pressing.

Hot-pressed oil partially loses useful components. A product made by cold pressing is considered the most valuable, since almost all the beneficial substances from coconut remain in it. This method is used less frequently than the first, because it allows you to get only 10% of all the oil in the pulp of a nut. Such oil is more valuable and more expensive than that obtained by hot pressing.

Coconut oil stored at room temperature and below has an unusual appearance for vegetable oils. It can be in the form of a thick whitish-cream liquid or small solid pieces, similar to soap. Liquid and transparent oil becomes when heated to 26 degrees and above.

Coconut Oil Composition

The main component of coconut oil is the polyunsaturated fatty acids, recognized by scientists as vital to humans. Since they are not synthesized by the body, they can only be obtained from the outside. Coconut oil is one of the best sources of these substances. It contains fatty acids:

• myristic;
• lauric;
• oleic;
• palmitoin;
• caprylic;
• linolenic;
• arachidonic;
• stearic;
• capric.

In addition, the product boasts calcium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins A, C and E, which are valuable substances that preserve beauty and youth.

Kinds of Coconut Oil

There are two varieties of Coconut Oil - non-food   and food. The latter can be found in stores. It is intended for culinary purposes. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that when heated, it does not emit carcinogens. They can replace the usual sunflower oil, and then the dishes will acquire an exquisite taste. It is suitable for baking, sweet and vegetable dishes, seafood, dressing salads and adding to cereals and drinks.

Manufacturers use the product as a dietary supplement for the production of margarine and cake fillings.

A unique combination of fatty acids gives the product healing properties. Metabolized by a special method, they have a positive effect on the brain and improve the condition of people suffering from epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. The substances in the product increase the level of “good” cholesterol and lower the level of “bad”, they also have and this reduces the likelihood of developing vascular and heart diseases. Coconut oil increases immunity, and with regular use it reduces the likelihood of cancer and restores thyroid function.

The benefits of coconut oil also lie in its ability to help treat many skin diseases. It has antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows it to be used to combat fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails, with dermatophytosis and mycosis.

It is able to relieve oil from diseases caused by Candida fungus, dermatitis and eczema. It can also be used as an aid in the treatment of lichen, even ringworm.

For hair care, the product can be used without additional components. Rubbing a little oil into the curly hair will make it easier to style. To improve the condition of the curls, it is enough to apply oil on the strands and scalp for 30 minutes, and then rinse off using a regular shampoo. Rub a warm product with light massage movements.

Coconut oil is good for the ends of the hair: regular use will eliminate the cross section. You can make masks:

• Oil. The product is combined with other oils: mustard, castor, peach and burdock. To prepare the mask, combine a teaspoon of three different types of oils, and then heat them in the microwave or in a water bath.
• Firming. Combine 0.5 tablespoons of glycerin with 40 grams of oil, yolk and 10 milliliters of wine vinegar.
• Nutritious. Mash a banana in a bowl and place 1.5 tablespoons cream or fat sour cream and 40 grams of butter in it.

Coconut oil is not easy to wash off with hair. To facilitate the task, do not apply it on strands in large quantities, and also use together with less fatty oils or with warmed fermented milk products.

Coconut Face Oil

The product is ideal for dry skin. Oil nourishes, eliminates inflammation, softens, moisturizes and restores the skin, and also prevents the occurrence of cracks, peeling and irritation. It is useful for other skin types. For example, a problem skin product will help eliminate acne and accelerate the healing of wounds after them.

It is struggling with another age-related problem - pigmentation. To reduce its intensity, you need to lubricate problem areas.

Coconut oil for the skin can also be used as a sunscreen. It will help to avoid burns, protect against ultraviolet radiation and provide an even tan. A good cleanser will come out of it, which cleanses the skin and easily removes makeup. It is also a good protective agent, improves blood circulation and helps to remove toxins.