Cracking the Coconut Oil Myth

In Sri Lanka nearly everything has its origins in coconut. Not exactly as exaggerated as the island caricature set forth by pop culture touchstones like Gilligan’s Island’s coconut radio and coconut car, but it is pretty damn close. And cooking with coconut, whether it is coconut meat or coconut milk is a ubiquitous staple. Despite the fact that coconut oil, and many coconut products, have a longstanding bad rap in mainstream, health-conscious, culture, Sri Lankans, as well as many South Asians in the region, subsist off of copious amounts of coconut derived products. As one who has been scared away from coconut, because of its naturally high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat, would presume, any culture eating its weight in coconut oil would probably be plagued with heart disease and a general low mortality rate – not so. Is it possible that what we know, and have been told, about coconut oil and coconut-based products is not the whole truth?

According to The New York Times, distinctly coconut oil’s bad reputation caused a panic at the concession stands back in 1994, when the Center for Science in the Public Interest put out a study claiming that a large movie-theater popcorn, hold the butter, delivered as much saturated fat as six Big Macs. This was enough to turn off a good percentage of the population and make coconut oil a big greasy no-no. Nearly two decades on, coconut oil has experienced a bit of a resurgence, as reported by Melissa Clark for The New York Times. Annual sales of coconut oil in the natural food sector have boomed, and this is not because people are searching out a sure-fire way to raise their cholesterol levels. Despite previous reports about coconut oil being the devil riding a tidal wave of trans fats, certain health professionals are touting the many health benefits of coconut oil (everything from weight loss to reducing the susceptibility of developing HIV and cancer).

Some of the confusion around coconut oil resides in the initial data. Seems the studies and reports that labeled coconut oil as entirely unhealthy had been done with partially hydrogenated coconut oil, which is high in trans fats, and is known for destroying many of the good essential fatty acids and antioxidants naturally contained in virgin coconut oil (the raw form of the more processed partially hydrogenated coconut oil). Therefore the results from this data branded coconut oil, in general, as something to be avoided at all costs (the ultimate cost most likely be your life). But new research has shown that virgin coconut oil does not possess any of the same qualities found in partially hydrogenated coconut oil, and, while it is a saturated fat, it is actually a relatively healthful and fairly delicious alternative to animal fats and nut oils. Vegans and those with nut allergies are especially enthusiastic because, while virgin coconut oil is nutty and rich in flavor, it is also free of animal products and nut-derived oils. And cooking with coconut oil lends a buttery and near-sweet flavor to just about everything. While this should not give you license to eat coconut oil by the spoonful, it does provide some comfort that this maligned cast off possesses something more than just a bad reputation.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Siti R.

12:25PM PDT on Apr 3, 2012

thanks for the info! will share.

send a green star

Mac C.

6:40PM PDT on Oct 23, 2011

I just started to use Coconut Oil and like the taste. Thanks for the information.

Emily D.

10:16PM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

I eat a tablespoon (or two :) ) of coconut butter a day! Yes i said coconut butter not oil. Even though the oil is great for you! I eat coconut butter because it tatses delicious by itself! It is actually the whole coconut flesh instead of just the oil. I buy the raw, organic kind from the brand Artisana. It is awesome!!!

Ida J.

6:39AM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

thanks

Robert O.

11:35AM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

Thank you Eric.

Eternal G.

10:37PM PDT on Apr 23, 2011

Thanks!

Celeste W.

7:57AM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

We ate fresh coconuts growing up ... When we camped, Dad would put them at the edge of the fire to get the meat to pull away from the shell, then drill holes to drain the water/milk (which we would fight over), then crack it with a hammer and we'd pick out the chunks with a nut pick. *Good times* and a yummy campfire dessert!

Having recently learned about the benefits of coconut oil, I purchased some, and it might just be the most expensive per weight purchase of my food-buying career ... 16oz for $29 in Raleigh, NC. Organic, cold-pressed of course. But it IS lovely stuff! (and it makes some superb popcorn, IMO.)

Tia P.

12:48PM PDT on Mar 20, 2011

I make my own skin cream from coconut oil, olive oil, & a touch of
honey - it makes awesome tasting lip balm!

Aleksandra W.

8:50AM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

thanks for the info!

Past Member .

9:15AM PDT on Mar 13, 2011

I purchased the Coconut Cream Concentrate from Tropical Traditions. It is an excellent, organic and pure product and they are a trusted company that values it's customers satisfaction :)

And, I also have used it on dry skin areas of my face and it is awesome for that as well as being 'sweet' enough to eat from the jar.

Be Blessed! Stay Blessed!
Peace, Love and Light ;-)