Virgin coconut oil is one of the best ways to get the most out of coconut oil, which has long been lined up among the superfood.

The coconut oil is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts, and to get the most out of its benefits, you should choose the virgin coconut oil.

The virgin coconut oil is one of the two varieties of coconut oils. The other one is refined oil. The difference is in the way both are produced.

The virgin coconut oil is said to be organic and 100 percent natural and unbleached. It is extracted from the coconut milk, which is produced by cold-pressing the fresh coconut meat.

On the other hand, the refined coconut oil, as its name suggests, is refined and processed through heat exposure. It does not retain much of its coconut flavor because it is extracted from dried coconut, otherwise known as copra.

Not only does it lose most of its nutrients because of the heat, but it is also mixed with sodium hydroxide for longer shelf life.

Because the virgin coconut oil is produced without using heat, it retains the pleasant coconut smell and, more importantly, its powerful antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and essential vitamins. 

Long been shunned for being a saturated fat, recent studies have overturned those beliefs. What was used to be known as bad for the heart is now adhered to as healthy for the heart.

The coconut oil's saturated fats actually increase HDL levels or commonly known as the good cholesterol. Not only that, it turns the LDL or the bad cholesterol into a less harmful form.

Higher levels of good cholesterol in the bloodstream lowers a person's risk of heart disease. And it is also linked to improved metabolic health. 

The virgin coconut oil's saturated fat also encourages the body to burn fat and provides quick energy to the body and brain, promoting good health on the inside while looking good on the outside. 

Adding virgin coconut oil to the diet also has microbial effects. Some 50 percent of the fatty acids found in coconut oil is lauric acid that forms monolaurin when digested.

The lauric acid and the monolaurin can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. 

Aside from helping in burning fats and reducing hunger, coconut oil is also a good moisturizer for the hair and skin.

With all these benefits, caution should still be taken in the amount of coconut oil taken inside the body as too much of a good thing can still result in something bad.

With all its benefits, the coconut oil is still fat; thus, nothing more than two tablespoons is enough for a day.

Coconut oil is good to be used in sauteing vegetables or seafood. It can also be used for shortening in baking.

When buying coconut oil, make sure to get the virgin coconut oil because it has more nutrients than the refined version. It may be more expensive, but the health benefits gained will be so much more worth than the amount paid. 

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