This article describes common beliefs, myths and facts regarding Coconut Oil.

Knowledge is power! And correct knowledge is absolute power. So, when you are out to know something, try knowing it to its core. There are innumerable things spread in this world we think we know a lot about them, but actually we know very little about. A major portion of our knowledge is based on what we hear from others and that is why many a times it is not authenticated. The same is the case with our knowledge about Coconut Oil. It is almost a homogenous mixture of myths and facts about coconut oil. Let us try to get to the facts behind these myths. Let us re-discover Coconut Oil.

• Myth-1: Being composed predominantly of saturated fats, it raises cholesterol level and increases the risk of heart attack.
• Fact: Common man understands only “Bad Cholesterol” by the term “Cholesterol” and most of them are unaware of the fact that there are two types of cholesterol and one of them is good for health. Further, most of them do not know that so far, contribution of saturated fats towards rise in bad cholesterol level could not be proved. This belief is the gift of some anti-coconut oil and anti-saturated fats mission powered by some edible oil producers to promote non conventional oils such as soy bean oil, rice husk oil etc. The fact is, to your dismay, that Coconut Oil raises the Good Cholesterol (High Density Lipoproteins) level which is beneficial for health. This good cholesterol helps lower the Bad Cholesterol (Low Density Lipoproteins) level and actually clears the blockages in the arteries and protects your heart.
• Myth-2: Saturated Fats present in Coconut Oil adds to body weight and leads to obesity.
• Fact: On the contrary, the Medium Chain Fatty Acids (Saturated Fats) present in Coconut Oil increases rate of metabolism, thereby leading to higher consumption of energy for metabolic activities and resultant burning of more fats. In fact, coconut oil is prescribed for losing weight and a systematic intake of coconut oil will help you loose a considerable weight. So you see, the myths and facts about coconut oil are very contrary to each other.
• Myth-3: Coconut Oil is an irritant for skin.
• Fact: Just the opposite! It is one of the most soothing oils for the skin. The unrefined coconut oil may cause some irritations due to presence of dust & other unwanted particles in it, but that too in very rare cases. In cases of inflammation caused by insect sting, allergy, sun burn, reaction of drugs, bruises etc., this oil can miraculously soothing. The anti microbial properties of coconut oil can even help heal wounds.
• Myth-4: Coconut Oil is sweet to taste and not good for diabetics.
• Fact: This oil tastes like any other oil and is not sweet (How it can be when it has only fats and no glucose in it!). Moreover, this oil promotes secretion of insulin from pancreas and thus helps control diabetes. Recent experiments have proved that regular uses of coconut oil can greatly reduce the chances of diabetes.
• Myth-5: This oil is thick and is not absorbed easily.
• Fact: Perhaps the condensation of coconut oil in winters and its solid look gave birth to this myth. Now, like other myths and facts about coconut oil, this is also amazingly contrasting. Coconut oil, and more so the Virgin Coconut Oil, is thin, non sticky and non greasy and is readily absorbed. That is why coconut oil is preferred for massaging and as tanning oil.
• Myth-6: Since it is derived from coconut (which contains a lot of moisture), this oil goes rancid easily.
• Fact: The coconut oil is one of the toughest oils in this regard. It is so stable that even if it contains some moisture above the permissible limits, it has a far longer shelf life than other oils and does not go rancid for years. Just imagine what happens if the moisture remains within the permissible limits.
• Myth-7: This oil is bad to taste.
• Fact: Now, this sounds like the last weapon one can try. You just cannot prove that it tastes good, since likes and dislikes are very personal and differ heavily from person to person. Still, the staunchest of the critics will agree that coconut oil has a superb taste. Still don’t believe me? Now I have left with no choice but to suggest you to go for the practical. Fry something in it, taste it and then come back to me.

You just read some of the most interesting myths and facts about coconut oil. There are others too, but they seldom stand a chance against the goodness of coconut oil. All I can say to you is to try it yourself. Till then, see you.

This article is contributed by Aparup Mukherjee.

Sources of Information:

• Reports of Coconut Development Board of India,
• Reports of KERAFED.
• Text books of various courses of agriculture.
• Various other reports on internet.

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CoconutOilGuy 2009-02-09 21:24:16 Hello! Very few people know that there is more than one type of saturated fat. Coconut oil is a unique saturated fat because it is predominantly medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). Almost all other dietary oils/fats are mostly, if not entirely, long chain fatty acids (LCFA). MCFAs are so different from LCFAs. Their absorption, transport, metabolism and uses are completely different. Just my two cents. Cheers, CoconutOilGuy Reply

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