Benefits of coconut oil for human health

Coconut oil is a cooking oil extracted from coconut rice. In the tropics, it is an important source of fat in people's meals. It is used in many areas such as food, pharmaceutical, and industrial. Coconut oil is considered superfood, the benefits and effects of coconut oil have been confirmed by scientists.

In a recent study on the effects of coconut oil on animals, researchers have come up with a preliminary conclusion about the nutritional potential of fat in coconut for humans. Accordingly, coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids so the body can be more easily absorbed. In addition, coconut oil has the ability to block the accumulation of Elzheimer's protein on nerve cells.

David M. Klurfeld, head of national nutrition program at the Beltsville Department of Agriculture, said that coconut fat is good for human health. However, he recommends that everyone use a moderate amount to achieve the best nutritional effect.

In some previous claims that coconut oil contains high saturated fat content, it has a good impact on human health. Coconut oil companies claim it is a nutritious food capable of adding energy to users. A recent study shows the benefits of using coconut oil. According to research done on white mice, coconut oil has the ability to protect rat neurons against the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease-causing proteins.

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According to food nutrition data from the US Department of Agriculture, 1 tablespoon coconut oil contains about 12 grams of saturated fat, equivalent to 7 grams of butter. A study showed that people in the island region of the South Pacific region have low rates of heart disease by using a lot of coconut oil each year.

However, according to George Blackburn, deputy director of Harvard Medical School's nutrition department at Cambriedg, the above results are not universal enough because the health problems of island residents still depend on lots of other activities. In addition, the diet here is completely different from other places. However, in theory, coconut oil is still better for human health than butter or animal fat because it does not contain cholesterol.

According to Glen D. Lawrence, professor of biology and chemistry at Long Island University in Brooklyn, the fat content of coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid based on atomic number. carbon in the circuit. Meanwhile, most of the fat Americans consume has a long chain molecular structure.

The researchers say that long or short levels in the carbon chain of fatty acids have a direct effect on absorption time. Accordingly, the shorter the acid is, the faster the absorption time is because the body will burn it faster. Therefore, scientists believe that medium and short-chain fatty acids will be better for athletes' activities.

Professor Lawrence in coconut oil also includes lauric acid, an acid capable of killing many viruses and bacteria in the laboratory. However, he has yet to document whether it has the same effect when ingested in the human body.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease, Canadian scientists found that coconut oil has the ability to protect mouse brain cells from the toxic effects of amyloid proteins . This is the protein that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Currently in the world, coconut oil is often exported from tropical countries in the form of coconut milk or coconut rice. According to some experts in the industry, coconut milk or coconut rice will lose all the original flavor after refining into coconut oil. However, the above studies are all done on coconut oil and so far, scientists have not had research to show that coconut milk is more effective than refined coconut oil. However, users can still easily find both products at stores.