“This oil is just super”: the fashionable superfood really works wonders

Oh, this fashion! Some people strive to buy new things every season that correspond to the advice of gurus in this area, others look closely at the windows of supermarkets in Vladivostok. Vegetable oils, for example, are available to choose from – domestic and foreign, familiar and exotic. Recently, coconut oil has been in great demand. Is such a stir justified? our expert, head of the Artyom Health Center, Elena Voronchuk.

“Coconut oil is actually a wonderful product,” agrees Elena Vilhelmovna. – This oil has a high content of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated acids, so it normalizes digestion and strengthens the immune system. Coconut oil contains no proteins or carbohydrates and does not cause allergies. You can use it to cook soups and side dishes, season salads, and even make desserts.

Using coconut oil in food has beneficial effects on health. Thanks to its saturated fat, coconut oil:

• Supports thyroid function – reduces inflammation, which means it prevents the occurrence of hypothyroidism, difficulties with concentration and complaints of weakened memory and hyperthyroidism – nervousness, excessive irritability.
• Strengthens cardiovascular activity – consumption of coconut oil reduces cholesterol levels and improves the condition of lipoproteins (HDL, LDL).
• Supports brain activity – ketones, organic substances in coconut oil, relieve symptoms of brain disease in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Strengthens immunity – saturated fatty acids: lauric, capric and caprylic in combination with lipids that counteract microbes give the oil antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Regular consumption of coconut oil can prevent colds, flu, herpes and even hepatitis C and Epstein-Barr virus. If you add coconut oil to tea, coffee or cocktails, your headache will go away, your runny nose and sore throat will stop.

– This oil does not burn like other vegetable oils, so it is convenient to fry with it. It almost does not react chemically with air, so you don’t have to put a box of solid coconut oil in the refrigerator; it can be a good replacement for regular butter. But it is still advisable to avoid overeating,” Elena Vilhelmovna clarifies.

Galina SMIRNOVA