Coconut oil, which comes from the inside of coconuts, is a very useful oil that is used a lot. It’s hard when it’s cold and turns into a liquid when it’s hot. There are two kinds: virgin and refined. Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconut, while refined oil is made from dried coconut, also known as copra.
People know coconut oil for its special makeup and many health benefits. It’s called a saturated fat because it has a lot of saturated fatty acids. But, because it has so much saturated fat, many health experts say we should not eat too much of it.
Coconut oil might have some good effects like raising good cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, and reducing stress. The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil might help keep insulin sensitivity. Some scientists think that MCTs might help raise levels of good cholesterol. But, the results are different and we need more studies.
Even though coconut oil might have some good effects, it has more than 80% saturated fat. Some experts have said that saturated fats are connected with heart and other diseases. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say we should eat less than 10% of a day’s calories from saturated fats.
Coconut oil is used as a cooking oil, and in industries for making cosmetics and detergents. Many companies have started to use coconut oil in packaged products, and many people use it for cooking. Many things, like fried foods, sweets, shampoos, coffee, smoothies, have coconut oil in them.
In the end, while coconut oil might have some health benefits, it’s important to not eat too much of it because it has a lot of saturated fat. We need more research to fully understand what happens when we use coconut oil regularly.
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