Popular vegetable fat Is coconut oil really the healthier alternative?

Versatile: how healthy is coconut oil actually?

In the past, coconut oil was almost only found in Asian grocery stores or health food stores in Germany. However, coconut vegetable fat has become increasingly popular and is now available in many supermarkets. In recent years, coconut oil was repeatedly touted as a true "miracle and cure". But how healthy is it??

Coconut oil is becoming more and more popular

When it comes to which are the most valuable cooking oils for health and health, some highlight the health benefits of linseed oil. Many, however, mainly use rapeseed oil, which is now even more popular among Germans than sunflower and olive oil. In recent years, coconut oil has also entered the local kitchen. It should be ideal for frying and cooking and additionally serve the health. However, some studies suggest that coconut oil is not healthier than other fats.

Coconut oil is used both as a beauty product and in the kitchen. Advocates point out the health benefits of vegetable fat. Critics doubt it, however. (Image: aedkafl / fotolia.com)

Natural cosmetics and kitchen ingredients

A few years ago, coconut oil was still almost unknown in the German kitchen, meanwhile it can also be found as a new "superfood" in the local supermarkets and drugstores.

It is used among other things as a beauty product and has also been used as natural cosmetics for quite some time. Coconut oil is a popular home remedy for dry hair and soothes sunburn.

Due to the contained lauric acid, to which many pathogens and parasites such as mosquitoes or ticks are sensitive, coconut oil is also used as insect repellent.

The oil is especially popular because of its taste and health benefits. However, the positive effects on our body are also doubted.

Health benefits doubted

So the scientists reported Dr. Stacey Lockyer and Sara Stanner of the British Nutrition Foundation say that coconut oil is no healthier than other oils.

Researchers from the USA have refilled. Coconut oil is as unhealthy as butter, according to her research.

The authors of the study, published in the journal "Circulation" published by the American Heart Association, point out that the consumption of fats and oils plays an important role in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

According to the experts, a lower consumption of saturated fatty acids leads to a lower risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system.

But coconut oil contains a lot, namely 82 percent saturated fatty acids. Pork lard, on the other hand, accounts for only 39%, beef tallow 50% and butter 63%.

The scientists recommend to reduce saturated fat. These are found especially in butter, cheese, red meat and other animal products.

Instead, more unsaturated fatty acids should be on the menu. They are among others in greasy fish, nuts, legumes and avocados.

Criticism of the criticism

The science journalist Dipl. Oec. troph. However, Ulrike Gonder expresses criticism of the criticism of coconut oil on her website. According to the expert, the work of the scientists of the "British Nutrition Foundation" refers to "outdated arguments".

That coconut oil is rich in saturated fat and therefore harmful to health, according to Gonder one of "the oldest arguments against coconut oil, but what makes it no truer".

Although coconut oil is actually about 92 percent saturated fatty acids - but from this fact to conclude its health significance, is scientifically unstable.

The expert pointed to several studies and meta-analyzes that conclude that saturated fats per se have no causal relationship to the onset of heart attack or other cardiovascular disease.

More medium chain fatty acids than any other oil

In addition, health experts point out that the valuable coconut oil contains more medium chain triglycerides (MCT) than any other vegetable fat or oil.

These fatty acids are processed into so-called ketones in the liver and transported from there to the brain as high-quality energy sources for the nerve cells.

In addition, studies indicate that coconut oil can slow brain disease such as Alzheimer's.

Remove with coconut oil

The medium-chain fatty acids also include the so-called lauric acid, which is also considered a slimming product.

In fact, studies have shown that medium-chain triglycerides help with weight loss, but only short-term effects have been studied.

Obviously, weight loss only works if there are fewer carbohydrates and more healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids on the menu.

No harmful trans fats

Furthermore, coconut oil is the only gently pressed vegetable oil that does not develop harmful trans fats under high heat.

In addition to the health benefits, coconut oil can also convince by the taste. As an ingredient in exotic dishes such as curries, it can, like coconut milk, contribute to a pleasantly fresh-sweet taste and enrich the kitchen.

When buying coconut oil care should be taken that the indication "native" is on the glass, that it comes from organic farming and was pressed from ripe fruit as soon as possible after harvesting. Oil from immature nuts stored for months tastes slightly rancid.

Incidentally, in contrast to coconut oil, which is also solid at room temperature and looks like white spread fat, coconut oil is usually heavily industrially processed.

This is tasteless after heating, curing and bleaching and is used in the food industry as a substitute for palm oil. (Ad)