Nutritionists and weight loss experts recommend that we avoid saturated fats, but cold pressed coconut oil is a beneficial saturated fat. Yes, it is high in calories, but its medium chain fatty acids can support weight loss goals. If you consume coconut oil you’ll find that your body starts to heat up. This is because coconut oil has thermogenic properties. The body is actually breaking down the fat content and using it for energy. This means that cold pressed coconut oil is less likely to contribute to weight gain. Use it for frying foods. Saturated fats are very safe for cooking and there is very little risk of the oil oxidising. Oxidation leads to free radical damage, which is a leading contributor of illness and disease. Try cold pressed coconut oil on your toast, instead of butter or margarine.
Cold pressed coconut oil is also beneficial for the skin. Use it to heal scars and blemishes, try it on the hair for a beneficial softening treatment, and use it on fade age spots.
What Is Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a versatile oil that is beneficial for the skin. It can also be used for cooking and baking, but which version is the healthiest, cold pressed coconut oil or refined coconut oil.
Refined Coconut Oil
The one thing that is different between refined coconut oil and cold pressed coconut oil is its price. A refined coconut oil has been bleached and deodorised. In order to deodorise the coconut meat, it is heated at a high temperature to remove its tropical flavour. An additive, sodium hydroxide, may be added to prolong the shelf life of coconut oil. Although this oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides, the heat process damages the antioxidant rich polyphenols.
Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
When coconut oil is cold pressed this means that the coconut meat is pressed at a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This preserves the beneficial properties contained in virgin coconut oil. If you purchase virgin coconut oil, the meat is extracted via one of two methods. A common method used in the production of virgin coconut oil is quick drying. This dries out the coconut meat, which is then mechanically expressed. The second method is wet milling, which comprises of expressing the milk from the coconut meat, which is then separated via enzymes or a centrifugal method. This results in a natural oil that is free from bleach or additives.
Benefit of Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
Although cold pressed coconut oil is more expensive than refined coconut oil, the benefits far exceed its higher price tag. This oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides, which are beneficial for weight loss. The body breaks down short and medium chain fatty acids very easily, compared to long chain fatty acids. The lauric acid contained in cold pressed coconut oil has antiviral, immune boosting, and antifungal properties. If you want to consume an antioxidant rich oil then choose the cold pressed coconut oil variety. The non-heating method preserves its beneficial polyphenols.
