Coconut oil has been shown to have many health benefits, although its higher in saturated fat than many other oils. Researchers believe a link exists between coconut oil consumption and heart and immune health, because countries that consume high levels of coconut and coconut oil have lower rates of heart disease. The quality of the coconut oil you consume is also important. You can find a variation in quality of coconut oil dependent upon how the coconuts were grown, where they were grown and how the oil was extracted.
Refined Oil
Refined coconut oil is pressed from copra, or the dried coconut meat. This oil has been refined for higher yield, bleached and deodorized to remove impurities. This oil is lower quality than virgin expressed coconut oil and may be partially or fully hydrogenated.
Virgin Oil
Virgin refers to how the oil is pressed from the coconut; fresh coconut meat should be used instead of the dried coconut meat called copra. To obtain virgin coconut oil, press oil from the coconut either after a quick drying or when the meat is fresh, which is known as wet-milling. If you use the quick-drying method, you extract the oil mechanically; whereas, during wet-milling, coconut milk is first extracted, then methods such as boiling, fermentation, centrifugation and refrigeration are used to separate the oil and water. Virgin coconut oil is not necessarily organic; although you can find virgin coconut oil pressed from organically grown coconuts.
Organic
Organic coconut oil is pressed from organically grown coconuts. That means the coconuts are grown without any synthetic chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or sewage sludge, which is residue left over after wastewater treatment. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program set standards for organic farmers and regulates them so you can be certain organic coconut oil containing the "Certified Organic" logo is truly organically grown. Organic virgin coconut oil is a healthier option, because it is pressed from fresh coconuts and is free of chemicals like pesticides.
Benefits
According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, coconut oil has no negative side effects regarding atherosclerosis or cholesterol and may even lower your risk of heart disease. Also, coconut oil contains antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties that benefit your immune system. Lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid, has been shown to have antimicrobial, disease-fighting properties, which help you avoid viral and bacterial invasions and boost your immune system.
Considerations
Be aware that the industry has not set standards for processing virgin coconut oil; therefore, it is important to purchase your coconut oil from a reputable source. Organic virgin coconut oil displaying the "Certified Organic" logo is in compliance with the USDA's National Organic Program guidelines.
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