If consumed in moderation and accompanied by a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, coconut oil is great for the body, skin and hair, say experts.
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Experts bust myths around the oil:
Myth: Coconut oil causes heart disease
Fact:
- Coconut oil is as far as possible from being harmful to your heart health.
- The reason this myth was perpetuated was because of its large percentage of saturated fat.
- In addition,advanced research has proved that naturally occurring fats aren’t what damage your heart.
- Instead processed foods and those containing large quantities of refined sugars.
- And high fructose corn syrup are what are making heart troubles widespread.
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Myth: It tastes coconuty
Fact:
- Coconut oil comes in two variants: Refined and virgin/cold pressed.
- And not all varieties have a coconuty flavour.
- Refined coconut oil has literally no taste or odour.
- These are often refined, bleached, and deodorised so that they can be consumed easily.
- However, hydrogenated coconut oil should be avoided at all costs as the process can create synthetic trans-fats.
- Go for coconut oil that has been refined using a natural and chemical-free process.
- And if a slight coconut flavour in your food doesn’t make it unpalatable for you then opt for the virgin variety.
Myth: Coconut oil has high cholesterol
Fact:
- Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain triglycerides which are a super fuel that are used up by our bodies very efficiently.
- In fact, they contribute towards a better cholesterol profile.
- This means that either your overall cholesterol levels go down or your good cholesterol levels go up on substantial consumption of coconut oil.
- And ultimately it’s the ratio of your total cholesterol to your good cholesterol that determines how healthy you really are.