Bad news if you often use coconut oil for cooking. According to a new report, it may damage your health in the long term.
Kara Michels, a professor at the School of Public Health has recently delivered a lecture in which she debunks many myths related to coconut oil. The 50-minute lecture was delivered in German and translated and it offers a wealth of information.
Coconut oil, hailed as the superfood of 2015 is far from being the healthy food touted all over the internet. According to Michels, coconut oil is one of the most toxic and dangerous foods you can eat. Even lard is healthier, as coconut oil contains an extreme amount of saturated fatty acids, which in turn can block arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
In2017, a study elaborated by the American Heart Association discovered that 82% of the fat contained by coconut oil is in fact saturated fat, a well-known culprit for high levels of ‘’bad’’ cholesterol and blockages that lead to store and heart attack. The AHA also mentioned that there are no positive effects, advising against the use of coconut oil. It is generally recommended to avoid the consumption of over 6% of saturated fats on a daily basis.
Most health experts agree that grapeseed and flaxseed oil, with a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, and soybean, sunflower and other polyunsaturated fats are better alternatives. While flaxseed oil cannot be used for cooking, it is a big source of omega-3 fatty acids which are great for any diet.
Olive oil is also a great alternative for cooking, as it has a rich taste and it also contains omega-3 acids.
While other superfoods were not discussed, Michels considers that we can already fid everything we need already present in cheaper alternatives.
If you do enjoy coconut oil, you can use it in reasonable amounts and you should be fine.
