Coconut Oil

by Widjonarko Tjokroadisumarto
(Jakarta, Indonesia)

Widjonarko Tjokroadisumarto's Question...

I cannot locate information about coconut oil in your website.

My question is, how do you see coconut oil as health food? What do you think about taking one tablespoon of virgin coconut oil everyday? Being saturated, can coconut oil be used for frying over and over like the Polynesians did 100 years ago and remain healthy?

That is all.

Thanks.

Suzy's Answer...

This is a great question! The reason we haven't posted a page about coconut oil on the site is because we can't find definitive information about its effect - postive or negative - on health.

You probably know that coconut oil has been touted as everything from a weight loss aid to a cure for cancer. I am generally leery of anything that is hyped that much, since it may just be a marketing strategy.

Here is a link to a page that is pro coconut oil as a health food:

organicfacts.com on Coconut Oil

However, Dr. Andrew Weil, whose opinion I value highly, so far has said that there are no health benefits from eating coconut oil, and in fact, that it is a "saturated fat" that should be avoided.

Dr. Weil on Coconut Oil

My take on the "healthy Polynesians" that you mentioned is that they ate the whole coconut, not just the oil, and they may have had an active lifestyle or other factors that contributed to their good health.

Since coconut oil is more stable, it may be a better choice for high-heat cooking than many polyunsaturated vegetable oils, since it would be less susceptible to oxidation and rancidity.

My guess is that taking a tablespoon of coconut oil will not significantly harm your health, so the questions still remains, will it help you live longer and feel better?

You will have to decide that for yourself!

I hope this has provided you with some helpful information. Perhaps some of our visitors will provide comments that will further clarify this issue.

Thanks for your excellent question and for visiting our healthy eating site!


Eat and be healthy with my warmest regards,

Suzy Staywell

http://www.healthy-eating-support.org

Nutrition page

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Chia Seed is a real super food!

While there is some question about whether coconut oil is a super food, there is no doubt that a little known seed has mega nutritional value.
So, what are the health benefits of eating the seeds of the chia plant?

Chia seeds are what we call “hydrophilic” which means “water loving". They can absorb 10-12 times their weight in water. When water-logged, they form a gelatinous substance that is soothing to the digestive tract as well as beneficial in keeping the body hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance.


Omega-3 fats

Chia seeds are also an excellent plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids. These are the essential fats that we need to keep our hearts healthy as well as for the formation of cell membranes—particularly in the brain.

At the present time, the average western diet is deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, so adding chia to the diet may help remedy that. Chia also provides Omega-6 fatty acids, another essential fat needed for good health, but much easier to find.

Calcium

When you think of food sources of calcium, you generally think of dairy products and possibly dark green, leafy vegetables. However, chia seeds have a role to play in the calcium story, since they are an excellent source of the trace mineral, boron, which is a catalyst for the absorption and use of calcium in the body. As you may know, the calcium in your body can move from your bones into your blood, as needed, for its other numerous functions. The better the calcium is utilized, the more calcium can stay in your bones to keep them healthy and strong.

Other minerals

Although, there has not been a lot of study of the nutritional content of chia, some health experts say that they are also a good source of phosphorus, manganese and zinc. Each of these minerals has an important role to play in keeping you healthy and feeling well.

Fiber

Can we say enough about fiber and its importance in maintaining good health and preventing disease? The seeds of the chia plant are a great source of fiber, at about 11 grams per ounce.

Digestion of carbohydrates.

Eating chia seems to slow down the body’s digestion of carbohydrates, thus helping to stabilize blood sugar, which some scientists believe may have implications in the treatment of diabetes and in weight loss.

Protein

Chia has a higher protein content than most other seeds or grains, and it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids. This is significant, especially to vegetarians, who are always looking for good sources of plant protein, but also to anyone who is looking for a nutritious, unadulterated source of this important macro-nutrient.

Anti-oxidants

Chia seeds have a high anti-oxidant content that, in addition to giving them a longer shelf life than many other seeds and nuts, also helps minimize oxidative stress when you eat them. Antioxidants defend your body against the damage caused by free radicals.