Monday, June 14, 2010

coconut oil

I really like coconut oil, it's a healthy fat with lots of wonderful uses. Approximately 90% saturated fat, mostly consisting of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), with antimicrobial properties, this makes it beneficial to the immune system.  MCFAs are also easily digested by the body for quick energy. The different types of fatty acids in the coconut oil include lauric acid (44%), which is known for being antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and containing no trans-fats, and caprylic acid (8%), an antifungal that is highly effective against candida. Coconut oil is very stable because it is slow to oxidize which prevents it from going rancid too quickly.


Tropic Traditions recently sent me a 32 oz jar of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try.  I like this particular coconut oil for a couple of different reasons.  One is that it's packaged in a glass jar.  Coconut oil is very sensitive to temperature and goes from liquid to solid fairly easily depending on ambient temperature.  This does not affect the quality of the oil or the shelf life, but I prefer not to have these changes happening in a plastic container.  This was a very mild coconut oil without a strong scent that some coconut oils have.  The product in it's solid form was also smooth and even.


I use coconut oil primarily for cooking and baking; it's a good, heat stable cooking oil.  It is also good for body care as a moisturizer, makeup remover and hair moisturizer.  For body care it also works well to  soothe sunburn and help reduce the amount of peeling.  Overall it's a great, versatile product to have in your house.


Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  

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