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 website that is pro coconut oil as a health food:

organicfacts.com on Coconut Oil

However, Dr. Andrew Weil, whose opinion I value highly, has taken a more conservative approach to the issue of eating coconut oil, since it is a "saturated fat" that most health experts believe should be limited in our diet.

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 daily will not significantly harm your health, but the question 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

https://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.

Chia seeds are beneficial to your health, since they are a good source of the following nutrients:

Omega-3 fats

Calcium

Other minerals

Fiber

Protein

Antioxidants

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.

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