Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil Has Been Lauded As A Superfood, But Is It Good For Us Or Just Another Fad?

- Sheree Mutton

Coconut oil has soared in popularity in recent years, largely due to celebrity endorsements and the wellness movement that has encouraged consumers to opt for plant-based products. Supermodel Miranda Kerr says coconut oil is a staple in her kitchen, while paleo advocate and television chef, Pete Evans has replaced butter, margarine and virgin olive oil with coconut oil in cooking. But does this supposed miracle oil live up to the hype?

What is coconut oil?

The Philippines, Indonesia and India are the main producers of coconut oil, which can be processed and refined. Coconut oil is extracted from the white flesh of coconuts and is 100 percent pure fat, leaving behind the fibre, carbohydrate and protein. There are numerous types of saturated fattyacids in coconut oil – the predominant kind is lauric acid. Coconut oil has a long shelf life and is used in everything from cooking to haircare products, yet coconut oil provides little to no vitamins or minerals for the human body.

Fact vs fiction