Coconut Oil

If you use Pinterest, you’ll have definitely come across coconut oil. It’s everywhere these days! People put it in their coffee in the morning, and they use it as a hair mask overnight. Moms-to-be rub it on their expanding bellies to ease stretchmarks, and of course it remains a traditional ingredient of many Asian cuisines.

However, coconut oil is under some controversy as we approach summer 2018. Some have suggested that the trending oil is being used too much and for too many things. Some say it could be problematic for the environment if used in larger quantities.

We’re here to assess the evidence and give you ideas for how to safely and responsibly incorporate coconut oil into your beauty and health.

How can I select a good oil to use?

You need to take into account the status of the oil in terms of the environment and the conditions it is produced under. This might sound trivial, but in many tropical places the rainforests are threatened by human farming, including the production of palm oil and coconut oil.

The best practice is to find an oil with a verified fair-trade label. Brand names with great reputations for treating farmers fairly and protecting the environment are Level Ground, Lucy Bee, and Nutiva. Use virgin coconut oil; refined and processed coconut oils have none of the health benefits that virgin ones have.

Once you have your oil, be sure to keep it from going off. Dark, cool, places are best for storing the oil.

What do I need to be careful about when eating coconut oil?

Although studies suggest that the fats in coconut oil are less harmful than those in most sources of saturated fats, there is still a caution against eating too much of them. Coconut oil contains fatty acids known as MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) which are harder for the body to store a fat tissue (yay!), but they can occasionally cause digestive issues (boo!).

Consume internally in moderation.

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