As we begin another new year I am trying to incorporate as many super foods into my family’s diet as possible. My newest health obsession has become coconut oil. Many people think of coconut oil as a “bad” fat, lumping it in with other saturated fats like those founds in animal fats. Coconut oil is a saturated fat but behaves much differently in the human body and has truly tremendous health benefits. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid which mainly consists of lauric acid which is difficult to find in nature. Outside of mothers breast milk coconut oil is the most abundant source of lauric acid with many of the same health benefits. Lauric acid undergoes a conversion in our bodies which enables it to destroy many viruses and bacteria as well as fight off yeasts and fungi. Coconut oil also helps to boost our overall immunity by regulating inflammation in our bodies.
Coconut oil has also been shown to help regulate our metabolism. A 2009 study of 65 women showed that women who consumed the equivalent of 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day for 12 weeks had decreased levels of abdominal fat. It also provides really excellent fuel for our bodies and helps increase energy levels.
Another aspect of coconut oil’s many health benefits is it’s ability to help regulate thyroid function and blood sugar levels. In turn it can also help increase our HDL or good cholesterol and lower our bad or LDL cholesterol. This can translate to a lower risk of coronary artery disease.
Coconut oil is even being studied for it’s therapeutic benefits on Alzheimer’s patients. Sixty five patients with dementia are being followed to examine the effects of this oil versus placebo on brain health.
It is also an excellent moisturizer for skin and can treat a variety of skin conditions including rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, age spots, cradle cap, and is even great as a conditioning treatment for hair.
The best kind of coconut oil to buy is organic virgin coconut oil that is unrefined. Coconut oil that is refined means it can be quite chemically laden. You can use coconut oil for any type of high temperature cooking, melted and put into any type of baking or add a couple of melted tablespoons into any smoothie which is delicious. It has the unbelievably long shelf of 3 years and is best stored at room temperature.
We love the following recipe adapted Siegfried Gursche’s book called Coconut Energy Bars.
COCONUT ENERGY BARS
1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1 1/2 cups organic semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup unpasteurized honey
1/2 cup almond butter
1 1/4 cup coarsely crushed nut mixture (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds – whatever you like)
1 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup rolled oat flakes
1 teaspoon vanilla
Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with coconut oil. Melt the 1/4 cup coconut oil in a medium sauce pan and then stir in the chocolate chips, honey, and almond butter. Bring to a light boil stirring constantly for 2 or 3 minutes. Remove from heat and then stir in the nut mixture, coconut, and oats. Spread into your greased baking dish and then let cool and cut into bars. Delicious and super healthy. Enjoy!
Edible Ideas 