Curiosities about Coconut Oil

It’s not the first time coconut oil has been stigmatized, and it’s a pleasure to stand up for it. If there’s one nutrient that’s sparked a real battle of conflicting claims, it’s coconut oil, loved by some and slammed by others.

Turned into a true “must have” among the legion of natural health and nutrition fans, this superfood has had to endure a lot of hate because of its saturated fat content. Let’s bust the first myth: don’t run away from coconut oil thinking it makes you gain weight!

“Crucified” (again) by myths and misinformation

The myths about coconut oil (click here) have stuck around until today, or rather until now, because we’re going to debunk them one by one. It’s one thing to be cautious about a nutrient, but another to put it through hell and end up crucifying it, as has happened with this oil.

But where do these myths about coconut oil come from? Well, from the vested interests of producers of other oils like soybean, sunflower, or rapeseed oil, who are terrified of the idea that the benefits of coconut oil (read more) might finally earn it the spot it deserves on the revered list of superfoods.

It’s surprising to see that among those throwing stones at coconut oil, there are doctors and nutritionists encouraged by a myth that has gotten wildly out of hand. And it’s not the first time we’ve mentioned on this Blog that defamation is way too cheap, unfortunately.

In our view, the risk behind the defamation coconut oil is suffering lies in the fact that its instigators are diverting consumer attention away from the real issue. And what’s that issue? Well, the fact that consuming rapeseed, sunflower, or soybean oils, which come from unsaturated fatty acids, is actually way less healthy than coconut oil.

In short, enjoy coconut oil, the natural and delicious oil, organic and cold-pressed, and put aside the unsaturated fatty acids from rapeseed, soybean, and sunflower oils. Your health will thank you!

What’s behind the orchestrated smear campaigns against Coconut Oil?

There are plenty of malicious myths we could point to, but to focus our defense of coconut oil, we’ll stick to two:

Myth 1: Saturated fatty acids have no place in a healthy diet.

The reality is: This info doesn’t match reality and comes from a smear campaign led by margarine and butter manufacturers, afraid to face the benefits of coconut oil head-on.

Myth 2: Unsaturated fats, found in sunflower, rapeseed, or soybean oils, are always good for your health.

The reality is: This claim needs some nuance. While unsaturated fatty acids are essential for the body and must be supplied through diet, too much of them can trigger inflammation damage in the body.

Is it true that it contributes to the formation of fatty tumors?

Here’s “the biggest myth of all” supposedly linking coconut oil consumption to the formation of atheromas.

Do these tumors have anything to do with the saturated fats from coconut oil? The truth is absolutely not.

Here’s the deal. Chemical analysis of an atheroma shows it contains 40% polyunsaturated fatty acids and over 30% monounsaturated fatty acids.

In total, that’s over 70% unsaturated fatty acids versus only 25% saturated fat.

Coconut oil: under attack by the food industry

The saddest part is that most of coconut oil’s benefits have been known for decades, since the first studies started.

Still, we’ve already mentioned the strong interest from certain food industry sectors (producers of other oils) in having this oil rejected, even though their competitors are less healthy and more expensive.

Over time, all kinds of slanders have been thrown at coconut oil, originating from the rapeseed and soybean oil monopolies in the US, who would lose huge amounts of money if their market share slipped. And it looks like they’re not willing to let that happen.

Back in the late 50s, the disastrous ad campaign began that led a Minnesota researcher to claim hydrogenated vegetable fats were behind the rise in heart disease.

Warned by the expected crash in sales, producers of oils for the food industry didn’t hesitate to claim the problem was only with hydrogenated fats from saturated fatty acids. Who did they point the finger at? Coconut oil, of course.

To make matters worse, another researcher from Philadelphia joined the smear campaign, publishing that consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids meant lowering cholesterol levels. Another blow to coconut oil, which edible oil industry producers again blamed for its supposed harmful nature.

That’s how it all started. And coconut oil stayed in the shadows of mediocre products, waiting for its moment. Its patience, as you’d expect, has paid off.

And despite it all: crowned superfood and “Hollywood’s elixir”!

Truth always wins, and coconut oil is a perfect example. Once stuck at the back of the shelves, it now shines as a top seller in healthy nutrition.

Think that’s all? Nope, there’s more. Considered a miracle product for beauty, not only everyday people fall for it but many divas swoon over it, so much so that it’s now known as the “Hollywood elixir.”

Coconut oil really knows how to make a name for itself!

Don’t miss these related links:

• At this link you’ll learn how to take it
• This isn’t a myth, it helps with weight loss. Learn more here
• Cook all your recipes with coconut oil, click here
• All the options for coconut oils to buy.