Coconut is number 2 on the Top 5 Fat Superfood List. If you want to build your immune system, lose weight, improve cholesterol and digestive issues try adding coconut to your meals/snacks. Fresh coconut, virgin coconut oil or unsweetened shredded coconut flakes are foods loaded with healthy saturated fat!
Yes, healthy saturated fat can contribute to wellness in many ways. But why is saturated fat from steak or coconut, healthy? Composition! Its’ chemical structure is key. Fats come in different lengths. Coconut is composed of 60% medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as opposed to short or long chain triglycerides. This is what makes it so unique and powerful.
Consuming three tablespoons of coconut oil each day fuels you with MCT and lauric acid. Lauric acid is the fatty acid responsible for making a difference in your ability to fend off germs, build and strengthen your immunity against bacteria, fungus and viruses, the gut and even contribute to healthy hair and skin. MCT is also found in ghee (containing about 25% MCT) and butter (12-15% MCT).
Research supporting the health benefits for coconut oil show its role in:
- protecting liver function (improving glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and blood sugar issues: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/142739/)
- raising good HDL cholesterol and reducing body fat especially belly weight even when compared to olive oil, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104366180900276X.
Want more reasons read on…
As I mentioned last week, https://valeriegoldstein.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/top-five-fat-superfoods/, “Superfood” is a term used to describe foods that are nutrient dense and that may contribute to better health or provide health benefits. These power foods are natural, not created in a food lab and provide the most nutrient “bang” for the calorie “buck”. In the case of saturated fat, it is the fatty acid in particular that jump starts the positive effects of weight loss and health benefits. Fatty acids are found in foods with fat. So in order to reap the benefits of MCT eat saturated fat.
Eating a variety of foods includes eating a variety different types of fat, no exception. Eating different types of fat daily will help you achieve nutritional balance. Balancing fats are important and saturated fat should NOT be annihilated from your eating regimen, they hold important body functions for hormones and body cell receptors, http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/the-importance-of-saturated-fats-for-biological-functions/.
Saturated fat seems especially important in working with the G-protein receptors that help body signaling functions, are involved in the adrenaline rush and maintaining white blood count.
So lose your fear of saturated fats, they are essential for your good health.
Eating more saturated fat and less unsaturated commercially prepared omega-6 fat to balance fat ratio improves health because eating too much omega -6 fats are unhealthy. Excess omega-6 fats cause inflammation and are detrimental to the immune system. Most people eat too much corn and soy oil which are omega 6 fats (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1408947-something-fishy-in-your-fish-oil/) and not enough omega 3 and healthy saturated fats.
Kill two birds with one stone. Add a healthy fruit and fat combo to your daily diet, eat coconut. Here’s how to eat it:
- Use Coconut oil or cream for high heat cooking/frying and soups
- Top your favorite foods with shredded coconut
- Add unsweetened coconut flakes to homemade trail mix
Bon Appetit! What is next on the Top Five “Fat” Superfoods list? Well stick around and you will see.
Reblogged this on Valerie's Voice: For the Health of It.