Coconut oil has received a bad reputation based on the fact that 92 percent of its fat is saturated fat. However, it has been established that the saturated fat in coconut oil is in the form of medium chain fatty acids, which do not have the same negative effects of the body. According to a study released by the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, "medium chain fatty acids do not undergo degradation and re-esterification processes and are directly used in the body to produce energy." Although research is proving there are health benefits to adding extra virgin coconut oil to your diet, like any other food product high in fat, it should be consumed in moderation.
Lowers Cholesterol
Despite the saturated fat content in extra virgin coconut oil, its consumption is successful in lowering cholesterol levels. The University of Kerala in India released a study in which virgin coconut oil was fed to Sprague-Dawley rats, for 45 days, to explore the possible effects on their cholesterol levels. They discovered that the overall cholesterol levels of the rats were lower after 45 days of consuming virgin olive oil. Furthermore, the levels of LDL and VLDL cholesterol, bad cholesterol, were significantly lower, while the levels of HDL cholesterol, good cholesterol, were slightly higher than before.
Weight Loss Aid
In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, the consumption of extra virgin coconut oil can aid in weight loss. "Lipids" released a study in their 44th volume that explored the effect of coconut oil on weight loss in obese women. In the randomized, double blind trial, half of the women received soy bean oil supplements daily while the other half were given coconut oil supplements daily. After 12 weeks, both groups showed reductions in their body mass index, but the coconut oil group showed a greater reduction in their waist circumference measurements.
Cancer Prevention
There is an increasing amount of research that suggests the consumption of extra virgin coconut oil may be successful in preventing or slowing the growth of cancer. According to Dr. Jon Kabara, the medium chain triglycerides present in extra virgin coconut oil "have no growth-promoting effects in tumor-bearing animals." A study published in "The Pharmacological Effect of Lipids III," explored the effects of three different diets on tumor growth in rats. The diets consisted of a high fat diet rich in medium chain triglycerides, a high fat diet lacking in medium chain triglycerides and a low fat diet. They discovered that the rats consuming a diet rich in medium chain triglycerides had a significantly smaller percent of tumor growth versus the rats on the other two diets.
References
- University of Kelaniya Department of Physiology: Coconut Fats
- University of Kerala Department of Biochemistry: Beneficial Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil of Lipid Parameters and in Vitro LDL Oxidation
- "Lipids": Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity
- Pharmacological Effect of Lipids III: Medium Chain Triglycerides Lack Tumor-Promoting Effects in the N-Methylnitrosourea-Induced Mammary Tumor Model
- Coconutoil.com: Health Oils from the Tree of Life
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