Coconut oil has been ranked as one of the healthiest and most revered oil that can be used for our hair, skin and body health. Coconut oil provides the body with a plethora of healthy benefits. I use coconut oil on a daily basis to moisturize my skin and to soften my curls. But did you know, coconut oil when heated, actually contains MORE FAT THAN LARD?! How is that possible, you ask?
Coconut oil is derived from the coconut fruit whereas lard is derived from animal fat.
According to the American Heart Association, coconut oil contains 82% of saturated fat, which is more than butter, beef fat and pork lard. in fact, butter is 63% saturated fat, beef fat is 50% and pork lard is 39&.
Just one tablespoon of coconut oil contains 121 calories, which though, can help you burn fat.
Risks Of Saturated Fat
Consuming too much saturated fat links to high blood cholesterol and is associated with health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and can lead to weight gain. It’s recommended to limit your saturated fat intake to less than 7% of your daily calories. If you eat 2,000 calories, this equates to roughly about 16 grams daily.
But don’t let this scare you or avoid you from using this magnificent oil. It’s excellent for external use and internally and overally too. Olive oil, sunflower oil and flaxseed oil (to just name a few) are healthy sources of unsaturated fats. These unsaturated fatty acids aids in lowering your harmful cholesterol levels and helps reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Olive oil’s rich flavor makes it perfect for sauteing, whereas canola oil’s mild flavor works well in baked goods. I don’t recommend canola oil since it’s often genetically engineered, but just a little FYI…. Flaxseed oil is best served at room temperature, making a great addition in salad dressings.
So how do you prevent melting coconut oil so that it’s not so hazardous?
Simply melt it on low heat on the stove, or better yet, in the sunlight or in a warm-hot room. Coconut oil melts at room temperature and gets firm at cold temperatures.
Hope this post was helpful.
Sources:
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