Coconut Oil

Are the winter blues really getting to you? Zap the blah with a tropical flavor - one that's packed with health benefits. Coconut has been given a bad rap, but in reality, it has many medicinal qualities.

1. Coconut is a saturated fat making it very solid at room temperature, this property actually makes it a very stable fat. When coconut is heated to very high temperatures, the chemical bonds stay intact, unlike oils with more double bonds, like olive oil. So you can safely cook with coconut oil, add some island flavor, and avoid the oxidized free radicals.

2. The lauric acid in coconut oil is the same component found in breast milk that helps protect the immune system. Lauric acid also helps improve the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, lowering the risk for heart disease.

3. The fats in coconut oil are readily absorbed, promoting metabolic efficiency. The fatty acids in the oil, called medium chain triacylglycerols or MCTs, are shorter and more water soluble than other fats like canola or olive oil. The fats are absorbed right away, processed by the liver, and burned as fuel quickly. Therefore, the MCTs are not stored as fat in the body.

4. Coconut has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, helping protect the layers of the gut. The digestive tract is closely related to the immune system, so this is especially helpful during the germy winter months.

Get out of your normal winter routine- add some light coconut milk to a smoothie or to your oatmeal, or some coconut oil to your shrimp or spread on a whole grain cracker. Bon appetite!