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Coconut fat helps regulate lipid levels, prevents Alzheimer's, can be used in various dishes and in the body. But its use is controversial. Understand

Coconut fat , coconut oil , coconut oil or coconut butter is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit Nucifera coconuts; and can be extracted through pressing, solvents and at-home processes. Some studies and experts point out its various benefits for health and cosmetic use, but its use has controversial use. Understand and get to know different positions on the use of coconut fat for consumption and studies that show its benefits when applied to hair, skin and teeth.

• Learn about vegetable oil extraction techniques
• How to make coconut oil the easy way

Types of coconut fat

Other types of fat extracted from coconut are available on the market , such as babassu coconut fat , but they are popularly called " babassu oil " or " babassu coconut oil " and not " coconut fat " , despite being extracted from a species of coconut. To better understand this topic, take a look at the article: "Baassu coconut oil: common in the cosmetic and food industry. Know its benefits".

Although some people confuse coconut fat with coconut milk and even coconut pulp, these formats are completely different both in terms of appearance, density and flavor, as well as in terms of nutritional and functional properties.

When taking advantage of the properties of coconut fat, it is necessary to pay attention to its different formats. Virgin coconut fat has different beneficial properties than dry coconut fat, or copra - the most commonly found on the market. On the other hand, it is necessary to avoid hydrogenated coconut fat and give preference to cold-pressed organic extra virgin oils which, in addition to being healthier and retaining their original properties, have a more pleasant coconut flavor; and can be either copra or virgin coconut versions. It is also necessary to avoid oils extracted by solvents, as the use of hexane can be socially and environmentally harmful. Understand more about this topic in the article: "Vegetable oils: know the benefits and cosmetic properties".

Uses and controversies

Coconut fat (Nucifera coconuts) is famous for bringing benefits to health and beauty through feeding and direct application to hair, skin, teeth and mucous membranes. The cleaning products industry also uses it to make soaps, which are even reputed to be more sustainable than other types of cleaning agents with a detergent action. To learn more about this topic, check out the article: "Is coconut soap the most environmentally friendly?".

Health experts have recommended the daily intake of coconut fat for disease treatment and prevention. However, this vegetable oil ends up being controversial, because while a portion of doctors and nutritionists are in favor of its use, another claims that consumption (via digestion) is not yet proven safe due to the amount of saturated fat. On the other hand, there are some studies that prove that its consumption by humans can bring benefits for the treatment and prevention of diseases.

• Saturated, unsaturated and trans fat: what's the difference?

Coconut Oil Benefits

Prevents and treats hair damage

A study published by Society Cosmetic Chemists showed that coconut fat helps prevent damage to hair caused by combing and treats damaged strands chemically (whitening) and thermally (hot shower water, heat from flat irons, dryers, etc.). That's because, according to the study, coconut fat helps prevent protein and water loss from the hair, in addition to serving as a lubricating film.

Improves lipid levels

A study of Filipino women and published by US National Library of Medicine suggests that coconut fat consumption improves lipid levels in premenopausal women. The same study cites analyzes carried out on animals, which show that the consumption of coconut fat reduces total cholesterol, which contributes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease - being a great substitute for butters and hydrogenated vegetable fat. The same study presents information that data from the 2003 Philippine National Nutrition Survey show a relatively low incidence of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), hypertension, stroke and angina (weakening of the heart muscles) in the Bicol region. , where diets have high levels of coconut consumption compared to other regions.

Prevents Alzheimer's Disease

Although coconut fat contains high levels of saturated fat , a study published by the platform PubMed suggests that the benefits of coconut should be reconsidered. This is because, unlike saturated fat of animal origin, coconut fat has medium-chain fatty acids (such as lauric acid, myristic acid and caprylic acid), which are the only ones that can be absorbed and metabolized by the liver, being converted in ketones - important alternative energy sources for the brain that can be beneficial for people who are developing or already have memory impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease.

improves diabetes

Oxidative stress is one of the characteristics of diabetes mellitus. According to the study published by the platform PubMed, the antioxidant properties (among other functions); of virgin coconut fat may have a beneficial effect in ameliorating the disease. According to the same study, this is because coconut fat significantly reduces fasting blood glucose and improves glucose tolerance.

Treats gingivitis and plaque formation on teeth

Another study published by the platform PubMed concluded that coconut fat is a great adjuvant in decreasing plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis - making it an ally in daily oral hygiene.

Treats xerosis (dry, flaky and rough skins)

Dry, flaky, rough and itchy skin is associated with poor functionality in the skin's natural protective barrier - a condition that can even be caused by hot shower water. According to the study published by ScienceDirect, coconut fat is a great moisturizer for these cases, has antiseptic effects and is more effective than mineral oils.

How to use

in food

Coconut fat is a great culinary ingredient. Cakes, sweets, creams, sauces, mousses, ice cream and even homemade chocolates have a light, healthy and creamy touch when the recipe contains coconut fat. The latter because - when the ambient temperature is not too high - coconut fat has a pasty appearance.

cosmetics

In addition to being a safe body moisturizer (different from conventional cosmetic products - learn more in the article: "Learn about the main substances that should be avoided in cosmetics") and that can be mixed with essential oils and bring benefits to the health of the skin, the Coconut fat is a great make-up remover and can have the function of exfoliating the skin - if mixed with coffee grounds. In times of very low or high temperatures, coconut fat is also a great lip moisturizer. If mixed with bactericidal essential oils (such as tea tree oil) and sodium bicarbonate, coconut fat has the function of deodorizing and at the same time moisturizing the armpits.

• Coffee grounds: 13 amazing uses

Oral hygiene

As mentioned above, coconut fat is an effective adjunct in the treatment of dental plaque and gingivitis caused by plaque. So how about adding it to your daily oral hygiene and still enjoy the smooth coconut flavor?

Positioning of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology

Although the studies mentioned have concluded that coconut fat has benefits for the treatment and prevention of the diseases mentioned above, the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (Abran) considers that the analyzes carried out so far are controversial and inconclusive; and recommends that coconut fat should not be prescribed for the prevention or treatment of disease.

Abran further states that:

1. When coconut fat is compared to vegetable oils less rich in saturated fatty acid, it increases total cholesterol.
2. Studies that conclude that coconut fat has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and immunomodulating activities are predominantly experimental, notably in vitro, with no clinical studies demonstrating these effects.
3. So far, there is no clinical evidence that coconut fat can protect or alleviate neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
4. A very small number of studies, with controversial results, have reported the effects of coconut fat on body weight in humans.

Did you like the article about coconut fat? So you might also want to take a look at the article: "Grape seed oil: benefits and how to use it".

But remember: when you run out of coconut fat - if you don't reuse the glass jar - dispose of the packaging correctly. See which collection points are closest to your home.