Is Coconut oil actually healthy for cooking? This is one of the most controversial question, I've ever come across being a nutritionist! And my answer is- "Coconut oil is healthy only if you have a limited intake and have a proper physical activity to burn it out".
The fact is that Coconut oil contains about 90-92% of saturated fats which are known to elevate bad cholesterol levels and cause cardiac problems. These kind of fats accumulate in the body and cause blockages in the arteries, leading to heart attacks. But on the other hand, coconut oil is many a times defended because of the Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) present in it. Most of the fats contained in vegetable oils, and other foods contain long chain fatty acids which are difficult to digest.
MCFA’s can be easily converted to energy which can be used immediately by the body. They usually do not cling into the arteries for the same reason. Studies have proved, that coconut oil has a neutral effect on the cholesterol levels. Also being rich in saturated fats, they are not oxidised easily and hence do not harm the heart easily. Coconut oil lowers the risk of all heart diseases due to the lauric acid present in it.
This is the reason I call it a controversial question! However, apart from this, coconut oil is associated with a number of benefits and a few side effects too!
I would personally opine, that, coconut oil may be used in combination with some other vegetables oil low in saturated fat to make a healthy diet to lose weight. This will keep a balance of all fatty acids in the diet for weight loss.
You just need to keep one thing in mind while using coconut cooking oil for weight loss, you have to burn out the extra calories with regular physical activity. Coconut oil is indeed a healthy cooking oil then!
