Coconut oil

History of Coconut Oil

For about 3960 years of the past 4000 years of the documented historical use of the fruits of the coconut palm as a food and a pharmaceutical, the news has all been good. It was seen as a sustainable resource from which the harvested materials influenced every aspect of the lives of tropical communities, but most importantly its fruit, the coconut flesh, water, milk and oil.

The use of coconut oil around the world in tropical regions is prolific: South and Central America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Micro-, Mele- and Poly-nesia and most of Asia.  Early European explorers, including Captain Cook, wrote affectionately about the beauty of communities across the Pacific using coconut oil as an integral part of their daily lives.  In England, after the war, coconut oil was sold as "margarine" and in the USA as "coconut butter".

All this changed in 1954 even though it has been known for nearly a century that coconut oil is more nutritious than other oils.  Over many decades, coconut oil received bad publicity due to its saturated fat content but what the proponents of "saturated fat is bad for you" did not do was to differentiate between the three different types of saturated fat. All the saturated fats were simply generalised under one category, ignoring the fact that some saturated fat is in fact necessary for human health.

Modern research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike and coconut oil is unique in its structural make-up due to its medium chain fatty acids - the closest to those found in human breast milk that nature provides. They are the reason why coconut oil is used extensively in baby formula and also in sports drinks and energy bars, where it is usually described as MCT (medium chain tryglycerides). This disguises the fact that some form of coconut oil has been used. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are more easily digested than fats found in other oils. This is because they are processed directly in the liver and immediately converted into energy. There is therefore less strain on the liver, pancreas and digestive system and, being easily digested, they also tend to improve the absorption of other nutrients.

Past research has failed to reveal this because it was carried out on hydrogenated coconut oil.

Many modern low fat, so called 'healthy' oils are hydrogenated. Other so called 'healthy' polyunsaturated oils form toxic free radicals when heated.

Significantly, because virgin coconut oil is very stable, it is highly resistant to free radical generation when heated, even at high temperatures and is an especially safe oil to cook with.

Purchase Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil through your local UK health food store or click here to purchase online in the UK and Europe.

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What is certified organic virgin coconut oil ?

Our virgin coconut oil is:

• Made with coconuts from traditional palms - not hybrid varieties
• Unrefined
• Unbleached
• Non-deodorised
• Non-hydrogenated
• Free of chemicals
• Free of GMO ingredients
• Manufactured with low level heat (below 60 degrees C)
• Certified organic by ACO (Australian Certified Organic)

You may be interested to compare the above with Dr. Joseph Mercola's specification for the best quality virgin coconut oil. Dr. Mercola hosts one of the most frequently visited health websites in the world and is renowned for researching the healthiest foods.

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What can virgin coconut oil do for me ?

To begin with virgin coconut oil is one of the safest oils to cook with. It does not contain trans fatty acids and does not break down, even at high temperatures, unlike many other oils.

Much research on the nutritional benefits of coconut oil has surfaced in recent years. Much of that research has been done by Dr. Mary Enig. Dr. Enig has classified coconuts as a "functional food", which provides health benefits above and beyond the basic nutrients.

Coconut oil is known as the "energy fat" and is favoured by dieters, athletes, and body builders. It is slightly lower in calories than most other fats and oils and is processed in the liver and converted directly into energy.

Virgin coconut oil is also used for making soaps and lotions.

Click here to purchase our virgin coconut oil.

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Is it OK to use coconut oil on the skin and hair ?

Although our virgin coconut oil is sold as a food product, there are many people around the world who have throughout the centuries used coconut oil on the skin and hair.  Remember, whatever is put on the skin is absorbed into the body (good or bad) so should you choose to apply nourishing coconut oil to the hair and scalp, apply it 20 – 30 minutes before washing or, for best results, leave on overnight (placing a clean towel on your pillow to protect it).  Wash out the oil in the morning with a toxin free shampoo.  

COCONUT OIL AND SUN TANNING
Pure virgin coconut oil is the best product available for use as a tanning oil.  Coconut oil actually increases the speed of the tanning process and produces a deep, lasting tan.  Please note however that you are putting a food grade product on your skin and it has NO SUNSCREEN OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES.  Apply frequently and avoid excessive exposure at all times not just at peak sun hours.  We recommend no more than 20 to 30 minutes depending on skin type in direct sunlight at any time of the day.  Once a basic tan is developed, virgin coconut oil will slowly but surely produce incredible tanning results.  If used as an after sun moisturiser be sure to use sparingly so it is completely absorbed into the skin.  Remove excess before dressing.   

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Why haven't I heard about virgin coconut oil before ?

See below - "Why do some say that Coconut Oil is bad for you?"

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Why do some say coconut oil is bad for you ?

While this claim has been widely disproved in many scientific studies and journals, unfortunately this perception is still around.

The tropical oils were very popular in the US food industry prior to World War II. The US is the largest exporter of soybeans. The well oiled marketing machinery funded by the soy bean and corn industry and supported by the American Heart Association was committed to change the American Diet, calling among others, for the substitution of saturated fats for polyunsaturates.  The Prudent Diet, as it was called, left a legacy which still haunts us today. 40 years on, this conceptual change in the eating habits of Americans has negatively influenced and changed the dietary regimes of societies all around the world that were initially not even affected by America's particular meat, potato and milk diet. So determined was the pursuit of the American industries in converting their claims into magnificent billboards of health and wealth that even small island nations in the South Pacific were converted by this powerful marketing machine to change centuries of dietary traditions of tropical oils to importing polyunsaturated fats.

Studies were done to show that coconut oil, and all saturated fats, were bad for one's health. However, these studies were done on hydrogenated coconut oil not virgin coconut oil. Hydrogenated oils are fatty acid chains that have been altered from their original form in nature by the oil refining process.

Although many studies at the time had also shown research to the contrary, the mud stuck and by the mid 60’s the reputation of all saturated oils in America had been destroyed.

Critical modern research is starting to show that dietary changes based on the evidence presented by these early studies were at the very least premature. However, time will only tell whether the greatest crime of this initiative will have been the bundling of all saturated fats, whether from meat, dairy or vegetable source together under the one label: Deadly Diet.

The travesty of this action was that one of nature’s most amazing resources, tropical oils, and especially coconut oil with all its nutritional possibilities, has been lost for decades. Although saturated, coconut oil is structurally, pharmaceutically and behaviorally different to any other natural oil or fat.

However, we have reached a critical time in our history with the complexity of our modern lifestyle and diet. Recent research into coconut oil has pinpointed the one aspect that makes the case for coconut oil to be reaccepted, and to once again become a legitimate part of our daily diet.

To find general information on the researched health benefits of coconut oil in the diet, simply type coconut oil into the search box of your favourite search engine and you'll find a wealth of information!

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What is "Extra Virgin" coconut oil ?

What are Virgin Coconut Oil capsules and why don't you sell them ?

In many cases it is recommended that people consume 2 - 4 tablespoons of coconut oil per day.  This would equate to a very large number of capsules PER TABLESPOON!  The companies selling these coconut oil capsules are recommending anywhere from 3 to 6 capsules a day, which is only a few drops of coconut oil.  Our carefully prepared Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a traditional food and encapsulating it would render it no longer natural or healthy.  Consuming large quantities of soft gel capsules means you would consume large quantities of gelatine.

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More frequently asked questions

Does virgin coconut oil need to be kept in the fridge?  

Our Certified Organic Coconut oil is sourced from the tropical un-polluted islands of the South Pacific. The oil is processed on certified organic plantations using innovative technology to produce a high quality unrefined virgin coconut oil. This coconut oil is saturated fat, which has been organically processed and does not contain any trans-fatty acid or fats produced by modern refining and processing methods. For further information please click here.

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Where can I buy your Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil ?

Certified organic virgin coconut oil from Coconut Connections* can be purchased online, through independent UK health stores nationwide or through Nutri Centre @ Tesco stores.  We know that some people prefer to buy locally rather than online, and if your local store is out of stock or has not yet heard of it, just ask for Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil from Coconut Connections.

Disclaimer: * Coconut Connections Ltd imports Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil as a food into the United Kingdom for distribution in Europe.  Coconut Connections Ltd makes no claims, real or implied, that this product will cure or treat a medical condition.