Coconut oil
From Freepedia
Coconut oil is a fat consisting of over 90 percent saturated fat extracted from coconuts and used in cosmetics and in baking as a cooking oil. Coconut oil provides seven percent of the total export income of the Philippines, the world's largest exporter of the product. Hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated cocout oil is often used in non-dairy creamers, and snack foods.
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Physical properties
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a medium chain saturated fatty acid. Virgin coconut oil melts at 20-25°C. It is among the most stable of all vegetable oils, has a moderate smoke point nearly the same as butter, and is resistant to light oxidation and rancidity.
Health effects
Coconut oil is considered by some to be a very healthy oil. Consumption of the unhydrogenated oil is attributed with increased metabolism and an improved immune system, compared to diets rich in other polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as sunflower or canola oils.
However, coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which is commonly held to promote cardiovascular and heart disease as well as diabetes. Like other oils, when (partially) hydrogenated it forms trans fats, which have been associated with heart disease.
Other uses
Coconut oil has also been trialled for use as a biodiesel engine fuel, though the high melting point makes its use difficult.
Excellent as a skin moisturizer.
External links
- Coconut Oil and Its Wonderful Health Benefits
- OhioHealth Facts about Fats(hydrogenated coconut oil)
- National Institute of Health: Study on Coconut oil
- Indonesian page about Virgin Coconut Oil
- The Health Benefits of Coconuts & Coconut Oil
- [http://www.efn.org/~raypeat/nutri.html Benefits of Coconut Oil, as well as the dangers of unsaturated fats, reported by health researcher Ray Peat
