Figuring Out The Label

Coconut oil is something I’ve been using more and more.  It’s been gaining a lot of popularity as of late and for good reason.  The book Coconut Cures by Bruce Fife has some excellent information about coconut oil and all of its healing properties.  First off selecting a coconut oil is a tricky thing.  There are a couple different methods of processing and various key words on labels that you need to be aware of so you can pick a quality coconut oil.

There are basically 2 types of coconut oil.  RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) and Virgin.  All other types are a version of one of these types.  What’s the difference between RBD and Virgin you ask? For starters RBD (which will be labeled as refined) has undergone a lot of processing.  It’s made from dried coconut called copra which is either dried in furnaces or out in the sun. The main way to determine if it is RBD coconut oil is by color, taste and odor.  RBD oil can look the same as virgin, unless it’s yellow, so the best way to determine the difference is by taste and smell.  RBD will not have any flavor or smell or a slightly roasted or cooked flavor and smell.

Virgin coconut oil means that it has been subjected to less intense refining which is at lower temperatures and without chemicals.  Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconuts.  Virgin coconut oil will be white in color when solid, clear when liquid (76+ degrees) and will have a light coconut taste and odor.

Some labels even say extra virgin which means it has undergone even less processing than virgin oils.  This is true in the case of olive oil but not for coconut oil.   There is no difference between virgin and extra virgin when it comes to coconut oil. For marketing purposes it just sounds like a superior product.

Some labels say organic but unless it states that it is “certified organic” or USDA organic then it probably isn’t.  Anyone can place the word “organic” on their label!

Another term you might see is expeller pressed.  The coconut oil I recently purchased has this on the label. Virgin oil uses a cold pressing method to extract the oil from the coconut. With cold pressing the temperatures reach around 60 degrees F.  With expeller pressing the temperatures reach closer to 100 degrees F.  Since coconut oil is such a heat stable oil and maintains it’s nutritional benefits even when heated I’m not too concerned with this method of extraction.

Another way to tell the difference is in price.  With coconut oil you generally get what you pay for so if it’s way cheaper than other brands it’s probably a bad sign.  I got a 64 oz. glass jar of coconut oil through a food co op and it cost 20$ which is a really good deal.  It says expeller pressed, but it is also virgin and USDA certified organic, white at room temp, clear when liquid and has a light coconutty smell and taste so I feel like it is a good product. Costco also has a great deal on Nutiva brand coconut oil so if you shop there, check it out.  You can also find it on Amazon.

Remember: White when solid, clear when liquid, slight coconut smell and taste, and the words virgin and certified organic are good!

 Health Benefits

Now for the fun part.  Coconut oil is actually really healthy for you.  Which is wonderful because who doesn’t love a healthy fat?  And now, more than ever, are there tons of recipes utilizing this wonder oil.

• Coconut oil is made up of Medium Chain Fatty Acids and is one of the few sources of this type of fatty acid.  MCFAs are very resistant to heat and are not harmed in processing even in high temperatures which makes coconut oil great to cook with.
• They don’t have a negative effect on cholesterol and are known to lower the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries).
• The liver and gallbladder don’t need to digest and emulsify MCFA’s so anyone who has trouble digesting fats will still benefit from using coconut oil.
• Coconut oil is filled with lauric acid.  Lauric acid is converted to monolaurin in the body which is a compound that can kill viruses, bacteria, fungus, yeast, candida and other microorganisms.  Without lauric acid, monolaurin cannot be created.
• Coconut oil can positively affect our hormones of the thyroid and help with blood sugar control since it can help improve insulin use within the body.
• Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance.
• It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
• Coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for skin and hair. It has high amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is very protective. I use it after a shower all over as a body lotion.
• Rub it into the ends of your hair to give it a bit of extra moisture.  The unique fatty acids in coconut oil have a small molecular structure and pass freely into the hair’s cell membrane, allowing for the oil to penetrate the hair’s shaft; this brings out deep conditioning from within compared to other conditioners that work from the outside in.
• Researchers have found that coconut oil can help prevent osteoporosis because it helps with nutrient absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are important minerals that fight osteoporosis.
• Medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil produce energy rather than body fat, thereby improving metabolism and preventing fatigue. The oil has also been shown to destroy organisms in the body that sap its strength and contribute to the condition of fatigue.

These points I have listed don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the all the benefits of coconut oil.  If you do a bit of research on your own or read Coconut Cures you will see that there are a host of other benefits to using coconut oil topically and internally in your daily life.

How Do I Use It?

1. This list is always growing, but right now I use the most coconut oil as an all over body moisturizer.  I feel great about getting rid of the chemical laden junk I used to use.  I keep a smaller jar in the bathroom and use it right out of the shower.  I did read in one article that it can reduce cellulite…do I believe it?  I’m not sure, but heck it’s worth a try!

2. Before I put on my makeup I use a Q-tip to clean off old mascara from the previous day.  It is safe to use around your eyes and you’re giving that area an extra moisture boost as well!

3. I use it in my Basic Granola Recipe.  You could even take out the butter and use all coconut oil.

4. I use coconut oil in my Homemade Deodorant which is an awesome recipe that actually works, I’ve even got my parents hooked on it.

5. I also add a spoonful to my green smoothies in the morning from time to time.  You can taste small bits of coconut throughout the smoothie which I don’t mind and it works great with a nice tropical smoothie.

-I’m currently experimenting with a few coconut chocolate chip cookie recipes so once I find the winner I will post that as well.  I also want to start experimenting to find a good homemade lip gloss recipe.  So much experimenting to do and so little time.  Go grab some coconut oil and enjoy!  I’d love to hear what uses you come up with.