 |
|
|
|
Mon, 25 May, 2026
|
|
|
Coconut oil, also known as coconut butter, is a fat consisting of over 90 percent saturated fat extracted from coconuts and used in cosmetics and in baking as a cooking oil. Coconut oil provides seven percent of the total export income of the Philippines, the world's largest exporter of the product. Hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated coconut oil is often used in non-dairy creamers, and snack foods.
 Jump to Page Contents
|
|
Pay as you go
No monthly charges. Access for the price of a phone call
Go>
Unmetered
Flat rate dialup access from only £4.99 a month Go>
Broadband
Surf faster from just £13.99 a month Go> |
Save Even More
Combine your phone and internet, and save on your phone calls
More Info> |
This weeks hot offer
24: Series 5
In association with Amazon.co.uk £26.97 |
|
Contents
Physical properties
Health effects
Other uses
Physical properties - Contents
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a medium chain saturated fatty acid. Virgin coconut oil melts at 20-25°C. It is among the most stable of all vegetable oils, has a high smoke point - higher than butter - and is resistant to light oxidation and rancidity.
Health effects - Contents
Coconut oil is considered by some to be a very healthy oil. Consumption of virgin coconut oil (unhydrogenated) is claimed to cause increased metabolism and an improved immune system, compared to diets rich in other polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as sunflower or canola oils.Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which is commonly held to promote cardiovascular and heart disease as well as diabetes. However, populations consuming large quantities of coconut oil, eg Sri Lanka, Kerala and the Philippines, have far lower rates of heart disease than Westerners eating polyunsaturated oils. Like other oils, when (partially) hydrogenated it forms trans fats, which have been associated with heart disease. Coconut Oil is made up of Medium Chain Fatty Acids, like those found in breast milk, making them very different to other fats which are predominately Long Chain Fatty Acids.
Other uses - Contents
Coconut oil has also been tested for use as a biodiesel engine fuel, though the high melting point makes its use difficult.In India, coconut oil is used as an oil for styling hair.It is also excellent as a skin moisturizer. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer, with absence of adverse reactions. [1]Some people have reported improvements in skin conditions such as eczema when using coconut oil.[ citation needed]It has been suggested that virgin coconut oil may have a potential as an anti-viral agent. In the first clinical trial involving HIV patients, treatment with coconut oil for 8 months resulted in reduced viral load in 8 patients, and favorable increase in CD4/CD8 counts in 5 patients. [2] |
Change Text Size:
[A]
[default]
[A] |
 |
|
|
|
|
