Coconut Oil - good or bad fat?
By Randhiraj Bilan, a natural health therapist based in Alexandra Palace.
For many years coconut oil has had a bad press because of its high fat content. Yet it has been used for cooking, frying and baking for thousands of years in tropical countries. Here in the West we are at last beginning to understand why it has withstood the test of time in these regions.
Coconut oil comes from the fruit of the coconut palm tree. It is a very stable oil as it does not become rancid even when stored for long periods. Its stablility and low melting point make it one of the best oils to cook with (although it should still be used in small amounts for this purpose). Most coconut oil is naturally organic as the process of extraction is undisturbed. Studies carried out on native diets with a high coconut consumption demonstrate that these populations are generally in good health and don’t suffer from many of the modern diseases of western nations.
It is the high saturated fat content (almost 30%) of coconut oil that has made it unpopular here in the West. However, it actually has a lower calorific value than all other vegetable and animal oils except butter. It also contains no cholesterol and has even been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that heart disease rates in communities who eat a large amount of coconut oil are considerably lower than the average. It has powerful anti-aging properties as well as being anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical. It can protect against alcohol damage to the liver and can improve the anti-inflammatory response of the immune system. It is regarded by some as the best source of fat for individuals with cancer, hormone imbalances, hypoglycaemia or a weakened liver. It is also absorbed better by the body than other oils. Coconut oil is available from health food shops or you can order it from the internet.
For further reading Mary Enig and Sally Fallon are leading authors on the benefits of coconut oil. Mary Enig’s book Know Your Fats and Sally Fallon’s book on Nourishing Traditions are highly recommended by Randhiraj Bilan as their research is very informative for anyone wishing to broaden their understanding on the vast subject of good nutrition.
Randhiraj Bilan is a Nutritional Therapist and Life Coach practising in Muswell Hill. She also runs cooking workshops on authentic Punjabi cuisine. She can be contacted on 020 8881 8055 or 07976 686592.