Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. As a rule, whether your coconut oil is for eating or for your skin or hair, “coconut oil” should be the only ingredient on the list. An expeller press is a large press that mechanically crushes the coconut meat until the oil runs out. It has high levels of saturated fat, causing some health authorities to recommend limiting consumption of coconut oil as a food. Summary Coconut oil is high in MCTs, a type of fat that your body metabolizes differently than most other fats. Here are a few of the best coconut oils to try. While unrefined oils are processed without heat and are best for lower-heat cooking and baking, refined oils have a higher smoke point and can be used for higher-heat cooking methods. Unfortunately, reaping the natural benefits of coconut oil proves more difficult than you think. For example, some companies use toxic chemicals to extract coconut oil, while others use all-natural, low-heat methods that preserve all of the coconut oil’s goodness. By scrutinizing your labels, you avoid all poisonous chemicals and retain all of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids that have made coconut oil a medicinal treasure around the globe. Over time, the toxins in plastic can leach into your food and drinks – and coconut oil stored in plastic is no exception. (2) How to use it. You can categorize coconut oil in a few different ways, which only makes things even more complicated. if(typeof(dataLayer) === 'object'){ If you liked that article, you'll absolutely LOVE our daily newsletter -- with more recipes, workouts, and tips and tricks to be the healthiest version of yourself. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. Rubbing a bit of coconut oil onto the ends of wet hair can improve its overall condition and help beat splits. How do I know I'm getting the best stuff? Even the FDA has labeled hydrogenated oils as “generally not recognized as safe” and states that removing these oils from processed foods could, “prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year”. The panel’s work echoes what you’ve been hearing for years: All other factors in your diet being equal, So while buying coconut oil in a plastic container may be cheaper, you’re not only likely to get that icky, plastic taste but you’re also putting your health at risk. 10. Like other crops, organic coconuts are grown using chemical-free, sustainable farming methods. 2. Virgin vs. extra-virgin: Considering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t recognize the term for coconut oil, the words “extra-virgin” plastered across a jar of the stuff is just marketing. Unlike butter, oil makes for a lighter and more moist cake. Interestingly, the MCTs in coconut oil also have an appetite-reducing effect. Read: 9 Worst Dangers of Plastic & 12 Healthier Alternatives). Is solid coconut oil better than liquid coconut oil? Refined vs. unrefined: There are a few factors to consider here, says Rumsey. (3), If you compare your brain cells to mini engines, coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) are their premium fuel source. No chemicals needed to extract all that goodness. If you want a great vegan substitute for butter, you can use coconut oil in your baked goods. Best all-around award goes to olive oil. Coconut, vegetable, canola, peanut, olive oil and more – with so many types of oils, how do we know the difference between them, and which one should we use for baking? Is it made by taking desiccated (dehydrated) coconut meat of a mature coconut and extracting the oil? Olive oil has a … Organic and free of filler oils, it's easy to add to smoothies and salads alike. “Walnut oil is a healthy choice and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, primarily alpha-linolenic acid,” says Levinson. Overall, centrifuged coconut oil is a decent option if you’re looking to avoid chemicals and direct heating of your oil. Food-grade: “If you're planning to consume coconut oil in any form, cooked or raw, make sure it is food-grade coconut oil,” says dietitian Alissa Rumsey, RD, an NYC-based nutrition therapist. With these single-serving packets from Trader Joe's, quality coconut oil can actually be pretty portable. Coconut oil can be used to remove makeup. Centrifugal oil extraction uses a high-speed centrifuge that separates the coconut oil from the water. It probably appears as such due to the shaking here and there during … While it has a high saturated fat content, coconut oil is also associated with a … They’re now in the coconut oil game, too. This helps preserve the fatty acids, antioxidants, and enzymes. Refined coconut oil may have slightly fewer health benefits than virgin coconut oil, but it is still a healthy option for high heat cooking. That’s a high quality virgin coconut oil you should choose. Extracting coconut oil using heat can destroy the delicate nutrients and living enzymes present in coconut oil. Is Coconut Oil a 'Superfood' for Pregnancy? Virgin coconut oil is oil derived from the meat of mature coconuts. Usually, when you see coconut oil in liquid form, it's just because a jar of the solid stuff has warmed up enough to melt, says dietitian Jessica Cording, RD, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. What Type Of Oil Do We Use For Baking? These oils are often added to cut down on the fat content of coconut oil (even though this fat is extremely healthy, as we saw from coconut oil’s benefits). It doubles as a moisturizer! [/tweet_quote], When fats are oxidized, free radicals are formed that can harm and damage our DNA, leading to disease, abnormal cell metabolism, and faster aging. “It’s a quality product but isn't super expensive,” Cording says. This can help reduce overall calorie consumption, leading to fat loss. Of course, purchasing organic coconut oil is your best bet not only to avoid chemical additions, but also to support farming methods that preserve healthy soils and environments. Coconut oil is firm at room temperature because it is composed of 90% saturated fat and also is a rich natural source of medium-chain triglycerides. Refined coconut oil has a higher smoke point and less of a coconut flavor. Virgin coconut oil is oil that has not been hydrogenated or extracted using chemical solvents or high-heat methods. And does it really matter, anyway? Their version of the popular oil is organic, virgin, cold-pressed, and unrefined for a pure coconut oil you can use on the reg. But that’s not the real message. [/tweet_quote], Other studies show coconut oil to also be effective against Staph infection, acne caused by bacteria, and ear infections. Another term to look for when you want the most natural coconut oil is “cold-pressed.” You can think of this method as similar to expeller-pressed coconut oil, but with heat levels monitored to not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Based on the AHA panel’s conclusions, it sounds like an obvious choice: Oils that have the most polyunsaturated fats, like corn and soybean, appear to be the healthiest cooking oil overall because they have the most benefit for heart health. Solid coconut oil is usually purer and has a longer shelf life (two-plus years), says Rumsey. padding: 5px; Best coconut oil. Here we breakdown what it all means and how to find the healthiest coconut oil for you. From cold-pressed to unrefined, the lingo used to describe coconut oil can get pretty confusing. Yikes! Despite what you may have heard, coconut oil isn’t a healthy choice; it has more total saturated fat than beef or butter. The reason it’s labeled as an “average” extraction method is because while the expeller press doesn’t apply heat directly to the coconut, high heat can develop due to high pressure and friction in the press. Even in the face of antibiotic-resistant bugs, such as colitis-causing C. difficile, lauric acid has slowed and even stopped proliferation of bacteria in studies. Cooking oil, which is liquid fat, is a convenient source of fatty acids, the building blocks of fats. You can bake with it! These fats are vital for improving testosterone. Plus, Cording likes that it's high-quality, convenient, and affordable. Seriously, you're the best. PS: There is no difference between “Virgin” and “Extra-Virgin” coconut oil. Coconut oil is used throughout the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, as well as North America. If you use coconut oil for literally everything and want to stock up on a tub of high-quality stuff, Kirkland's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a must. Types of coconut oil. Another unrefined, cold-pressed oil that's certified organic, this pick from Nature's Way is another great option for anyone looking to stock up on coconut oil for everything from cooking to skin-care. Still, liquid coconut oil can come in handy when you want to whip up a quick salad dressing or marinade. They help with vitamin absorption, energy storage, and controlling inflammation. There are different extraction methods used to separate coconut oil from its meat, which affects the quality and nutritional value of the oil. You need the right balance of essential fatty acids in your diet. What to look for in a quality coconut oil. Dr. … Why trust us? }. That is a higher percentage than in most other oils, and is probably responsible for the unusual HDL effects of coconut oil. Extra virgin olive oil contains a large amount of monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fatty acids; many studies have linked it to better heart health. The healthiest coconut oil you can buy is organic, cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil in a glass jar. Refined coconut oil is extracted from dried coconut meat using heat and a chemical solvent called hexane. When it comes to coconut oil, there's a lot of lingo to wade through. And, at $16 for a 32-ounce tub, it’s amazingly affordable. Our bodies require three types of macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This section will look at what different appearances mean for coconut oil, as well as how you should store it once you have made a purchase. Look for either an unrefined oil or a refined oil that has been processed using 'chemical-free' methods. The term “virgin” on a jar of coconut oil, however, indicates that it's unrefined. Like us on Facebook for delicious recipes and a lot more! It has a coconut, nutty rich flavor. There are two types of unsaturated fats primarily found in healthy cooking oils: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. This can potentially damage delicate nutrients and antioxidants, and alter the flavor. Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, which has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. By scrutinizing your labels, you avoid all poisonous chemicals and retain all of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids that have made coconut oil a medicinal treasure around the globe. While the recent popularity of coconut oil in the media makes it seem like a “new” health product, coconut oil has been consumed around the world for centuries. As they say, "eat it, wear it, swear by it. Unrefined coconut oil is made by mechanically pressing out the oil – without adding any harmful chemicals like hexane. From cold-pressed to unrefined, the lingo used to describe coconut oil can get pretty confusing. Eating foods rich in either of these fats will help to improve your heart health and may play a role in your blood sugar control, according to the American Heart Association 1. MCTs are responsible for many of the health benefits of coconut oil. Still, liquid coconut oil can come in handy when you want to whip up a quick salad dressing or marinade. Coconut oil serves as an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. Research on coconut oil … However, the side effect of doing this is the creation of trans fats, which have been shown to raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. (5), Coconut oil helps your body absorb calcium and magnesium – two minerals important for maintaining bone health. One review … Women's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. It’s an indication that the virgin coconut oil has more health benefits. (10). Expeller-pressed coconut oil is produced using low-temperature and (usually) chemical-free drying methods. Here, Angelone and other dietitians break down how to find the best-of-the-best coconut oil—and 10 quality options to try. (6). As such, it has not been filtered, bleached, or deodorized. Anjou’s coconut oil is produced from hand-picked, non-GMO coconuts in Sri Lanka. If it looks somewhat murky, that does not mean the oil has turned bad. Types of Coconut Oil Consumption 1. Virgin coconut oil is my favorite, personally. (9). One study even showed that supplementing with virgin coconut oil helped improve bone volume after the onset of osteoporosis. Organic: Though organic coconut oils are typically higher-quality, coconuts aren't a high-risk food for pesticides, so going organic isn't a must, Angelone says. Virgin Coconut Oil. dataLayer.push({'eventCategory': 'leadbox', 'eventAction':'show', 'eventLabel':'Coconut Oil Lead Magnet', 'nonInteraction':'Yes'}); Unfortunately, this method has several limitations. Olive oil, which is made by crushing olives and separating the oil from their pulp, is renowned for being the healthiest of plant oils. Most coconut oils you see on the shelves are produced this way, unless stated otherwise on the label. After the oil is extracted, it is then filtered through a bleaching clay and is deodorized. The healthiest coconut oil you can buy is organic, cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil in a glass jar. (1). While chemicals aren’t used in this method, excessive heat can be generated due to the friction of the centrifuge spin. text-align: center; Cold-pressed vs. expeller-pressed: Though these processing methods are more important for oils high in certain antioxidants and unsaturated fats, which oxidize quickly, they don't matter so much for coconut oil, says Angelone. Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).It’s used for its water, milk, oil, and tasty meat. “Like most any food, the quality of a coconut oil impacts its potential health benefits,” says dietitian Sonya Angelone, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Coconut oil is … Virgin coconut oil is the least processed, and best variety of coconut oil for your health. Unrefined coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut meats, as opposed to dried. Either term typically indicates that a brand of coconut oil is high-quality, Angelone says. Before you grab the nearest jar of coconut oil, check out the ingredient list so that you can avoid unhealthy toxins that are often added to the oil. Saturated fat is divided into various types, based on the number of carbon atoms in the molecule, and about half of the saturated fat in coconut oil is the 12-carbon variety, called lauric acid. Coconut oil can be used in place of shortening, butter or other cooking oils in baking or cooking. Since no heat processes are … clear: both;} Adding hexane to the process further degrades the oil, as hexane has been shown to cause central nervous system depression, dizziness, nausea, headaches, as well as eye and throat irritations. Coconut oil is liquid whenever it is above 75 degrees F. …
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