Coconut oil has a good reputation among health foods and health products. It is good for cooking, eating, as well as to be used topically. The issue with coconut oil is distinguishing which is better, refined coconut oil, and unrefined coconut oil. Refined and unrefined coconut oil both have benefits, but they have a different taste and nutritional profile.
For refined coconut oil, the coconuts are first baked before the oil extracted. The coconut oil is then passed through a bleaching clay to filter out any dirt or insects. After the process we are left with a near tasteless oil. This coconut oil is great for topical application. It's good for hair and skin care. Refined coconut oil is also god for people who do not like a coconut flavor. Partially hydrogenated fats are added to some lower quality refined coconut oils. Partially hydrogenated fats are not good for your health.
Refined coconut oil has a smoke point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it ideal for sautéing and baking as opposed to frying. While refined coconut oil is somewhat beneficial, it is much more processed than unrefined. For those looking to use a product that is as close to its natural state as possible, it would be best to use unrefined virgin coconut oil.
For unrefined coconut oil, the oil is extracted from fresh coconuts. Unrefined coconut oil is not bleached with bleaching clay. Unrefined coconut oil is also called “virgin” coconut oil, spun down in a centrifuge and does not undergo bleaching. Because this coconut oil undergoes less of a process, it has a much stronger coconutty flavor. There are also more nutritional benefits in unrefined coconut oil than there are in refined. Refining coconut oil removes some of the polyphenols and medium-chain fatty acids that are in the oil before the bleaching. This is what makes virgin unrefined coconut oil so beneficial, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs); Caprylic acid, Lauric acid and Capric acid found in Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil, boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss. Additionally, Lauric acid supports the body’s immune system and is found in human mother’s milk. Unlike long chain fatty acids found in other plant-base oils, MCFAs are:
- Easier to Digest
- Not Readily Stored as Fat
- Antimicrobial and Antifungal
- Smaller in Size, allowing Easier Cell Permeability for Immediate Energy
- Processed by the Liver, which means that they are Immediately Converted to Energy instead of being stored as Fat
PROVEN BENEFITS FROM UNREFINED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL
- Alzheimer’s Disease Natural Treatment
- Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
- Treats UTI and Kidney Infection and Protects the Liver
- Clear up Kidney Stones
- Reduces Arthritis Inflammation
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment
- Improves Memory and Brain Function
- Improves Digestion and Reduces Stomach Ulcers and Ulcerative Colitis
- Reduces Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease and Pancreatitis
- Treats Burns, Eczema, Dandruff, Dermatitis and Psoriasis
- Prevents Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
- Prevents and Treats Osteoporosis
- Improves Type II Diabetes
- Builds Muscle and Reduces Body Fat
- Candida and Yeast Infection Treatment
- Anti-aging
- Hormone Balance
Around 62% of the oils in coconuts are made up of (MCFAs), and 91% of the fat in Unrefined Virgin Coconut oil is healthy saturated fat. This fat composition makes it one of the most beneficial fats on the planet, as the USDA nutrient database shows. Most of the fats we consume take longer to digest, but MCFAs found in Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil provide the perfect source of energy. The reason being is that they go through a three-step process to be turned into fuel vs. other fats that go through a 26-step process!
Unrefined coconut oil has a higher smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This means it is better able to be used for frying than refined coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil also has a shorter shelf life and is more expensive than refined.
THE COCONUT OIL USED IN THE KITCHEN AT BETHENY’S BEST IS HARVESTED FROM EXCEPTIONAL COCONUTS GROWN IN VOLCANIC SOIL FROM MT. BANAHAW IN THE PHILLIPPINES. THESE COCONUTS ARE SOME OF THE MOST NUTRITIONALLY RICH COCONUTS IN THE WORLD.
THE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL USED IN ALL OUR RECIPES IS HAND MADE IN SMALL BATCHES BY FAMILIES OF CERTIFIED COCONUT FARMERS USING AGE OLD TRADITIONAL METHODS.
UNLIKE OTHER COCONUT OILS THAT ARE MADE FROM DESICCATED COCONUT FLAKES, OUR VIRGIN COCONUT OIL IS MADE EXXCLUSIVELY FROM FRESH COCONUT PULP HAVING THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF ANTIOXIDANTS USING A WET-MILLING PROCESS.
Reference: Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS
Published: May 21, 2018
Reference: healthytraditions.com/coconut-oil/gold-label-virgin-coconut oil.html