If you’re an average guy, you probably have a bottle of vegetable oil or olive oil that you keep in your pantry for general cooking purposes, but have you ever considered using coconut oil instead? Did you even know you could? Don’t be surprised if you haven’t. For some reasons, coconut oil just doesn’t seem to be as popular in the U.S. as other oils. You should really give it a shot, though. It can do amazing things for you.
Refined vs. Unrefined
Before you buy your first bottle of coconut oil, you need to know some of the important differences between refined and unrefined coconut oil. Most coconut oils you will find at any store are refined. If the oil is unrefined, it will say that it is or it will be called “virgin” or “extra virgin” coconut oil. Generally speaking, you want unrefined coconut oil because it is healthier. However, that’s not to say you can’t find a non-hydrogenised refined coconut oil; my advice is to keep a bottle of each in your kitchen for different uses.
Cooking
Coconut oil is an excellent cooking oil. Refined coconut oil is flavorless and odorless, which makes it an excellent choice for baking and sautéing. It won’t overwhelm the taste of your dish and it won’t make your food greasy like vegetable oil will. Virgin coconut oil is also great for cooking but it does have a very strong coconut smell and flavor. Be careful, though; coconut oil has a slightly lower smoke point than other cooking oils, such as olive, peanut and vegetable oil. Keep your temperature under 350 degrees F. to avoid smoking.
If you’re trying to get rid of your gut, coconut oil might be just the trick. In a study called, “Medium-Chain Triglycerides Increase Energy Expenditure and Decrease Adiposity in Overweight Men,” researchers found that the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) found in coconut oil seem to play a significant role in fat loss for obese men. This is because your liver directly absorbs MCFA’s and quickly converts them into energy rather than depositing them into your fat cells. Both refined and unrefined coconut oils contain MCFA’s; just remember to stay away from hydrogenised and partially hydrogenised coconut oils to avoid the trans fats.
Personal Care
In addition to being a great food product, coconut oil can also be used on your skin and your hair. It is an excellent moisturizer and can be used as skin moisturizer or conditioner. I recommend applying a small amount to your face as a soothing aftershave, and to your hair after you wash it as a leave-in conditioner. You can also apply it to sunburn or anywhere you have dry skin.
I only listed a few of the uses and health benefits of coconut oil. Believe it or not, there are a lot more. If you start using coconut oil for cooking or improving your personal appearance and find that you like it, you should do some more research on it. You may find a slew of other uses for it that are right for you that you would have never even considered.
