Have you heard the buzz lately about coconut oil? Some people are all for it. Some people are against it. Many of us might be on the fence. Eatright.org shares some great information about coconut oil. You can find the full article here.
Coconut oil is high in saturated fat. Traditionally we have believed that saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol, which we want to avoid for heart health. However, there have been some recent studies suggesting that different kinds of saturated fats are absorbed differently by the body and these saturated fats may not be as bad for us as other saturated fats.
Because of the difference in its molecular structure, and how it is absorbed, those in favor of using coconut oil argue that it can promote weight loss and improve health. Those against using coconut oil as their main source of cooking oil believe that the overconsumption of saturated fats in any form has negative effects on the body.
Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, it is important to remember that coconut oil is a fat and fats are high in calories. To be our most healthy we need to keep our calories within a healthy range, thus monitoring our fat intake. The best advice I can give you is to do your research and make an educated choice when it comes to picking which cooking oil to use.
If all this debate makes you hungry, try whipping up a quick bread.
Try the recipe as listed or experiment with the type of oil you like best. Enjoy!
