Facts About Coconut Oil

The coconut palm has been described as “one of Mother Nature's greatest gifts to humankind” because virtually every part of this palm tree is used in some way. Coconut oil, which is said to offer therapeutic and cosmetic benefits, is one of the most versatile of the products obtained from this tree.

Identification

Coconut oil is edible oil with a distinctive scent and taste. It is extracted from the white, meaty kernel of the matured fruit of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera. Because of its highly saturated vegetable fat content, coconut oil is liquid at temperatures above 76 degrees Fahrenheit but solid below this temperature.

Types

The four types of coconut oi are refined coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil and fractionated coconut oil. They differ based on the production process.

Refined oil is bleached and deodorized, which renders it odorless, tasteless and colorless. Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut kernel without any chemical or mechanical processes and therefore retains its distinctive taste and smell.

Hydrogenated coconut oil is produced through hydrogenation, a process involving the addition of hydrogen molecules to the oil. Fractionation, the method used for producing fractionated coconut oil, involves dividing the oil into smaller, more concentrated quantities.

Fat Content

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, a class of saturated fats. It contains two types of medium-chain fatty acids--lauric acid, which makes up more than 50 percent of the oil, and capric acid, which makes up 7 to 10 percent. Unlike the long-chain fatty acids found in animal oils such as butter and margarine, medium-chain fatty acids are a healthy form of saturated fat, says B.M. Hegde, a professor of cardiology, in journal of The Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine.

Benefits

In his book “The Coconut Oil Miracle,” Bruce Fife, author and naturopathic doctor, calls coconut oil “nature’s elixir.” He says it promotes weight loss, strengthens the immune system, prevents premature aging of the skin and protects against cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Research into such claims is ongoing, so you should consult a licensed health care professional before using coconut oil for any of these conditions.

Availability

Coconut oil is available as a food-grade edible oil for cooking and for raw food diets. You can also purchase it for topical application in the form of a hair care oil, moisturizing skin care product and massage oil. Coconut oil nutritional supplements are available in capsules or tablets that can be taken orally.