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by Jen Miller
January 30,
2017
from
JenReviews Website
Coconut oil is the extracted oil from coconut, the popular fruit of
the coconut tree that's well-known for growing in tropical areas.
It's also an outrageously popular topic among social media and
health outlets in recent years.
Typically coconut oil is refined, bleached, and deodorized using
high heat.
The bleach filters the
oil to eliminate any impurities, and sodium hydroxide is used as a
preservative and to get rid of excess fatty acids. Coconut oil
typically has a long shelf life because its high saturated fat
content prevents oxidation.
Coconut oil is the topic of hot debate - typically known for being
fairly high in saturated fats. This can put it off-limits for some
people trying to consume a low-fat diet plan.
However, the benefits of
coconut oil span much further than the detrimental effects of its
saturated fat content - and not just in the digestive tract - it can
be used in lots of different ways.
In addition to being consumed as part of the diet, coconut oil can
also be applied for health benefits in a lot of different ways. It
can be used topically, as a lotion, it can be melted and inhaled as
a vapor solution, it can be used as shampoo - the list goes on.
Coconut oil is made by compressing the
fats out of the white part of coconut flesh.
It's reputation for
being high in saturated fat is not unjustified - around
84% of the calories in coconut oil are from saturated fat. This
is incredibly high when compared to another organic oil like olive
oil, which only contains 14% saturated fat.
Even butter contains just over 60%
saturated fat.
How can a food high in saturated fat be
healthy?
Coconut oil has a huge range of health
benefits.
These span all across the board -
coconut oil has been studied for its effects on preventing
Alzheimer's, heart disease, cholesterol buildup and blood pressure.
It's been studied for its ability to prevent kidney disease and
inflammation, and for its defensive capabilities at fighting the
development of cancer.
How can one food - a food high in
saturated fat, no less - be responsible for so many amazing health
benefits?
Well, first off, coconut oil's
saturated fats are mostly composed of medium-chain fatty acids. The
most dangerous fatty acids are long-chain fatty acids.
Certain types of long-chain fatty
acids are known for contributing to heart disease - though some can
be neutral. Most individuals these days consume far too many of the
unhealthy long-chain fats, however, and this is largely what leads
to heart disease.
There are three main long-chain fatty
acids:
Myristic and palmitic acid have been
shown
to increase LDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol - this is important to
know, because we will touch base on this later in the article - is
short for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is highly reactive,
and can oxidize easily, leading to heart disease, strokes, and an
increased chance of cancer.
Myristic acid was more potent in this
regard and has a higher chance of increasing LDL cholesterol.
Myristic acid is also rarely found in natural foods and is more
likely to be obtained in junk food.
Stearic acid has been shown to
actually
help
balance cholesterol levels, and is the healthiest of the 3
long-chain fatty acids.
In comparison, coconut oil's primary
fat constituents are medium-chain fatty acids, including
-
Lauric acid (45 to 52%)
-
Caprylic acid (5 to 10%)
-
Capric acid (4 to 8%)
The most common medium-chain fat in
coconut oil is
lauric acid, making up almost 75% of coconut oil's
fait content.
Medium chain fatty acids are connected
with a higher rate of weight loss - in fact, subjects in a study who
replaced olive oil with coconut oil or palm oil were shown to
lose weight at
a much quicker rate.
These medium-chain fatty acids have
also been studied for their efficacy at treating Alzheimer's, and
helping the body absorb nutrients more efficiently.
The rest of coconut oil's fat
composition is made up of a mixture of,
-
caproic acid
-
oleic acid
-
palmitoleic acid
-
linoleic acid
Most of these are short-chain
fatty acids.
How does coconut oil improve my diet?
Here's an interesting piece of trivia.
Residents of the South Pacific, who
get up to 60% of their total calories - not just their
total fat - from the highly saturated fat that is coconut oil - are
shown to have virtually
non-existent rates of heart disease.
The particular types of saturated fats
in coconut oil are proven to not only not damage your
cardiovascular system.
They are proven to improve it. Regular intake
of coconut oil can improve heart health, help you lose weight, boost
your metabolism, give you short and long-lasting energy.
Most of these benefits are due to
lauric acid, one of the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil.
Lauric acid is the fat that composes the most significant percentage
of coconut oil's profile.
The body converts lauric acid into a
new substance, known as
monolaurin. This particular compound is an
antiviral, anti-bacterial, and immune boosting substance.
Being a fat itself, it can also attack
lipid-coated bacteria and pathogens, which include the following:
Lauric acid is extremely effective at
battling viruses and bacteria, and coconut oil has more of it,
gram-for-gram, than any other substances
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil's benefits are hard not to
notice. They can be experienced by using coconut oil as a topical
lotion, a food additive, or even a vapor rub.
Here are the top health benefits and
the best ways for you to receive them.
1. Coconut oil helps fight diabetes
The human body typically makes use
of medium-chain fatty acids, like the ones in coconut oil, by
sending them to your liver for energy production.
Since coconut oil is
extremely
high in medium-chain fat content, it's a great source of
energy.
The energy coconut oil provides is
instant due to the quick metabolization of fats, which is
usually only provided by carbohydrates. The most important
difference between the fats in coconut oil and carbs?
Coconut oil doesn't cause a blood
sugar spike or tax your body of insulin. You get all the energy
from a burst of carbohydrates, but don't have to deal with the
dangerous after-effects that come alongside excessive
carbohydrate or sugar consumption.
Diabetes is caused, among other
things, by the
body developing insulin sensitivity. This comes by frequent
and repeated blood sugar spikes. Insulin is the body's hormone
that regulates the production of glucose (sugar) and the e
conversion of carbohydrates into sugar and energy.
With a high carbohydrate diet
comes an excessive release of insulin, and with that, the body
develops a sensitivity. People develop insulin sensitivity when
they become dependent on large doses of carbohydrates for
energy.
A quick-acting, long-lasting
energy source that doesn't cause a blood sugar spike is
extremely useful for diabetics and health-conscious individuals
who want to avoid diabetes.
Coconut oil has been shown to
minimize weight gain in people with diabetes, and pre-diabetics.
This is very helpful at
preventing diabetes from reaching type-2 stage.
Conclusion: Coconut oil is
a powerful tool for diabetics, pre-diabetics, and people who
just like to take care of their blood sugar. It prevents
diabetics from reaching stage 2 of the disease by stabilizing
weight gain, and can prevent pre-diabetics and healthy folk from
developing diabetes by preventing excessive blood sugar spikes.
2. Coconut oil is a great fighter against
cardiovascular disease
Diabetes isn't the only
blood-related illness that coconut oil fights.
It has been shown in multiple
clinical trials to combat a number of cardiovascular diseases,
to limit heart attacks and strokes and help manage cholesterol.
Managing cholesterol is, alone, a
huge improvement towards preventing heart disease. Coconut oil
has a few other tricks up its sleeve though.
The nutritional profile of
coconut oil helps the body form fewer blood clots, lowers
the risk of developing free radicals, and keeps higher
reserves of antioxidants in cells. Free radicals are ‘rogue'
atoms that are missing an electron in their outermost shell.
These electrons compensate by
stealing an electron from a neighboring atom, and, when
uncontrolled, create a chain reaction of electron-theft.
Each stolen electron creates an
unstable atom which can spread and lead to cancer.
Many heart diseases are caused by
atherosclerosis - the
hardening of the arteries. This is caused by excess of plaque in
the arteries, which can be caused by a variety of things -
toxins, viral or bacterial infections, free radicals.
Much like blood will clot to heal
wounds on the outer layer of skin, it sends platelets
to heal wounds affecting the cardiovascular system itself.
Platelets are proteins that stick together, and stick to damaged
tissue.
They act similar to a band-aid for
the cardiac system.
The combination of platelets,
minerals, cholesterol and scarred tissue build up in the body
and can eventually harden, leading to potentially deadly
disease.
Having effective systems to
produce enough platelets is important. If your body cannot
properly bandage an internal injury, your veins will produce too
much scar tissue.
Conclusion: Coconut oil has
a number of effective methods that can prevent heart disease. It
helps prevent atherosclerosis by ensuring the cardiac system can
repair itself properly, and helps prevent cholesterol buildup.
3. Coconut oil is great at lowering cholesterol
In one particular study on
coconut oil's effect on cholesterol, 40 subjects were given
either two tablespoons of coconut oil or two tablespoons of
soybean oil daily for twelve weeks.
The group taking soybean oil saw
an increase in LDL cholesterol - not the kind you want - and a
decrease in HDL cholesterol, whereas the coconut oil group saw
only an increase in HDL.
HDL cholesterol can help the body
wipe out LDL cholesterol. Since HDL (high density lipoprotein)
cholesterol, as its name indicates, is dense, it can sweep LDL
cholesterol off the walls of veins and arteries.
This prevents excess cholesterol
from building up, which is one of the biggest causes of
cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion: Coconut oil
helps rid the body of LDL cholesterol, which can build up and
cause a huge number of problems.
4. Coconut oil can help you lose weight
A lot of people would shun coconut
oil immediately as a weight loss aid. After all - oils are fat,
right?
Coconut oil has a few interesting
techniques for fighting fat and helping people be more efficient
at fighting body fat development.
This idea first came under
speculation when farmers in the early half of the century when
farmers, using coconut oil which was inexpensive at the time,
attempted to fatten their livestock.
Instead, they found the coconut
oil actually made the animals appear healthier and more active.
It had sped their metabolisms up!
While it took years to finally
study the effects of this peculiarity, it is now known why
coconut oil boosts metabolism in many people.
A lot of Americans are overweight,
and much of this obesity is caused by unhealthy overconsumption
of fats, particularly LCFAs (long-chain fatty acids.)
If you'll remember, coconut oil
contains mostly MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids) which are much
better for you.
Replacing LCFAs with
MCFAs typically decreases body weight, limits fat deposition
and boosts metabolism, MCFAs are much easier digested and leave
extra energy in your metabolic process for digestion and
absorption of other nutrients.
An increased metabolism also tends
to heighten the thyroid's activity. Obesity can be caused by an
underactive thyroid gland, so stimulation of it may offer even
more assistance losing weight.
An enhanced metabolism also
bolsters your immune system.
Conclusion: Coconut oil
does some impressive work on your body's fat-fighting ability,
and can be extremely beneficial for those looking to lose
weight. If you're able to swap many of your daily fats out for
coconut oil, the MCFAs will power-up your metabolic rate, your
thyroid, and your immune system, making it easier to shed some
pounds.
5. Coconut oil helps your skin look young and
fresh
Coconut oil is a popular
ingredient in many massage rooms and spas - not just because
it's a good lubricant. You can reap the same benefits of high
quality massage therapist's oil yourself at home with ordinary
coconut oil!
It does a few different things for
skin.
-
Coconut oil can heal skin
conditions,
like eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis.
Its effects as a
moisturizer are what make it so commonly used in
shampoos that prevent dandruff. Eczema and psoriasis can
be caused by infectious fungi, and coconut oil is an
effective anti-fungal.
When used against these
skin conditions, it will ward them off - and can prevent
them from developing at all.
-
Coconut oil protects your
skin from free radicals, and is actually
considered by some biochemists to be an antioxidant
for this reason.
Free radicals cause severe
oxidation in the cells of the body, and are responsible
for what gives skin the look of aging.
So strong is its ability
to prevent the skin's oxidation that this doctor
believes that it limits our need for the potent
antioxidant, vitamin E.
-
Coconut oil slows the
growth of wrinkles.
This keeps your skin
looking much, much younger. Coconut oil is a very good
moisturizer, and effectively absorbs into your skin.
Upon absorption, it sinks
into connective tissues and helps strengthen them by
improving their elasticity. It also cleans the epidermis
(the top layer of skin) of dead cells.
This exfoliation and
strengthening thin the lines of wrinkles..
Conclusion: Coconut oil is
very protective for the skin, and can heal infections and
diseases one may already have. It functions as an antioxidant, a
moisturizer, and a skin strengthener, slowing the growth of
wrinkles, skin conditions, and oxidation.
6. Coconut oil can eliminate dangerous
microorganisms, both internally and externally
That's right - coconut oil is also
an antimicrobial that can fight infections caused by
microorganisms.
Lauric acid - the medium-chain
fatty acid detailed earlier in the article - is metabolized into
a compound known as
monolaurin. Both of these compounds are
known to
kill microorganisms that can harm you and cause bacterial,
viral, or fungal infections.
Of particular note, these
compounds are
effective
at destroying Candida. Candida is a very common yeast, that
leads to the most common fungal infections in the world.
Candida are a part of our
intestinal flora and are typically harmless, but can attack and
cause disease if our immune system is weakened. Candida
flourishes when a diet high in sugar is consumed, like those
eaten by diabetics.
If someone can't cut sugar and
carbohydrates out of their diet, they might consider adding an
antimicrobial like coconut oil to their diet.
Supplementing as much as one
tablespoon of coconut oil, three times daily has been shown to
be effective at
fighting candida and other yeast infections.
Coconut oil, unlike many other
healthy foods that share antimicrobial properties, is
just as effective externally.
Coconut oil doesn't need to be
digested to release its antioxidants - it simply acts as one
itself. This means it can directly attack skin conditions caused
by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
This makes it a good weapon
against psoriasis, staph infection, and any other of dermal
viral or fungal infections.
Conclusion: Coconut oil is
a powerful fighter of microorganisms. It battles bacteria,
viruses, fungi - all sorts of pathogens - both inside and
outside the body. This makes coconut oil highly effective at
fighting a huge number of conditions and illnesses that might
otherwise require expensive treatment.
7. Coconut oil can fight against
neurodegenerative disease
A new branch of studying has
proved that the brain has a backup source of energy that's
entirely different than the backup energy the rest of the body
uses.
The body stores excess
carbohydrates and sugars that we do not utilize after eating.
Glucose that is not burned is
stored for later use as fat, and acts as a reserve storage -
this energy is only burned during strenuous, drawn-out exercise.
It's meant to be stored for when we really need it - which is
why it's so difficult to burn fat.
The body makes great use of this
stored fat, but the brain can't use fatty acids when it's
running low on energy.
When the body starts running low
on blood sugar, the brain falls back on another source for its
backup reserves. Its alternative energy is stored in what is
known as a ketone body, or a
ketone for short.
Ketones are produced from fat
that's stored in the liver, and are made with a single purpose -
to deliver energy to the brain in times of need.
When blood sugar levels go down,
the body amps up its production of ketones so the
brain has
a constant supply of energy.
If someone has Alzheimer's, or a
number of other neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's,
Huntington's, to name a couple,) the brain doesn't absorb or
process glucose properly, despite it being the main source of
energy for the brain.
The body produces ketones, which
are used up quickly, leaving the brain with nothing - ketones
are only produced when the body is running low on blood sugar.
They're being used since the brain
can't process the sugar it is getting, but the host is
likely eating properly and giving the liver no signal to produce
extra ketones.
Studies have shown that a
high
ketone diet can improve symptoms of these diseases.
Fortunately, coconut oil is known
to produce ketones. In subjects suffering from Alzheimer's,
memory responses were shown to dramatically improve after
supplementing with coconut oil - a feat quite impressive, since
Alzheimer's is degenerative and doesn't often see symptoms get
better.
Most often, their development can
just be slowed.
Conclusion: Coconut oil can
have an impressive effect on neurodegenerative disease. It's
shown to have more effect on Alzheimer's than some clinical
treatments, making it an invaluable resource for those hoping to
slow the onset of their dementia.
How to Select and Store Coconut Oil
So now you're beginning to understand
how healthy coconut oil can be for you. You'll probably want to know
what to look for in terms of selection, and what to do with your
coconut oil once you've purchased it.
Improper storage can damage coconut
oil, and certain types should be bought for certain circumstances.
-
Refined coconut oil often
lacks the flavor and smell of the unrefined counterpart.
Being refined allows for some
culinary benefits, though - it can be cooked at slightly
higher temperatures before smoking, and you can use huge
amounts of it without overpowering your food with the flavor
of coconut.
Of course, they also
lack
some of health benefits that virgin, unrefined coconut
oils offer.
Their MCFA profile is quite
similar, so they are still far healthier than other
saturated alternatives. The typical supermarket coconut oil
is refined.
Look for the term refined or
unrefined on the label. Be careful, as some coconut oils are
refined through processes that use harsh chemicals that can severely
damage the end product.
Some are even hydrogenated, or
partially hydrogenated.
-
Unrefined coconut oil is also
called virgin and extra-virgin, much like unrefined olive
oil. These oils are typically made from the first pressing
of coconut, prior to adding any chemicals or preservatives.
They are often way more
flavorful - though the purest, most unprocessed oils that
aren't exposed to any heat (heat makes the flavor more
intense) will have a fairly light flavor.
Coconut oil, fortunately, is super
easy to store.
You can leave it in a cupboard at room
temperature for up to two years. It's actually preferable to store
in a cupboard or on the counter, because refrigerated coconut oil
gets very hard and is hard to use.
Glass is the preferred storage
material for coconut oil, since plastic carries a risk of leaching
into the oil which can be very unhealthy.
How should I use
coconut oil?
Coconut oil has many effective uses
for personal hygiene.
It's an effective moisturizer that can
fight against skin conditions with its anti-fungal properties. It's
used in the production of soap, since coconut oil is typically hard
at room temperature it can add a nice scent and lubrication without
compromising the soap itself.
Aside from personal use and culinary
use, coconut oil has interesting traditional applications.
It was used in India as a
lamp-lighting oil, and kept large areas of the country lit.
It's
also a very popular material in commercial industries for a number
of applications.
-
Coconut oil can be used to
fuel a diesel engine
as biodiesel. Applied this way, coconut oil can power
generators and transport food and large amounts of product.
-
Coconut oil has been tested as
a lubricant for engines, and has been used as
oil on electrical transformers.
-
Coconut oil and fatty acids
derived from it can be used in the production of surfactants
(compounds that reduce surface tension between liquids and
solids - these include detergents, moisteners, etc.)
Despite all these incredible uses,
coconut oil's most common use is in the kitchen.
It's used as an additive for salad
dressings, as a spread, but most often for frying and sautéing. It
adds a nutty, rich flavor to any meal that is cooked with it, and is
regularly used in tropical areas.
Southern Asia uses coconut oil
frequently in curries. It also adds a delicious depth to pastries
and other baked goods, pairing nicely with sweet goods.
The kitchen is where coconut oil
gained much of its notoriety for being an extremely healthy food.
How to Properly Use Coconut Oil for Cooking
Coconut oil, both in its refined and
unrefined states, is a healthier alternative to any processed oil
like margarine.
Unrefined coconut oil is healthier
than butter and, in certain senses, olive oil or other raw vegetable
oils. While olive oil is a delectable treat on its own, many recipes
can be modified to include coconut oil as well as other vegetable
oils.
Coconut oil is pretty potent and some
people find that it's easy to use less than the equivalent amount of
whatever fat you're replacing. This rings true for baking, frying,
roasting - anything aside from when the oil is used unheated, like
in salad dressings.
Organic ingredients are, of course,
recommended above all others. Use your organic oil with fresh,
organic produce and grass-fed meats.
Here's a few recipes for you to get
your experimenting on! I've included an appetizer, an entree, a
salad, and a dessert, and a drink made with coconut oil - enough
variation to make a full coconut meal if you so desire.
1. Southwest Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
This meal's a bit of a comfort snack.
It is loaded with lots of
vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but it also packs quite a
bit of empty calories. However, the balance tips in the favor of
the nutrients, making this meal more good for you than it is bad
for you.
It takes an hour from start to
finish, and makes enough crispy, loaded goodness for yourself or
to share with someone.
You will need:
For the fries:
A big sweet potato
A tablespoon of coconut oil
Two tablespoons of cornmeal
A tablespoon of adobo seasoning
For the toppings:
Two ounces of cheese
Half a cup of black beans
A cup of spinach
An avocado
A quarter cup's worth of onion (diced)
A tablespoon of lime juice
Two tablespoons of cilantro (finely chopped)
A teaspoon of honey
Half a tablespoon of
The method:
Preheat your oven to 400
degrees Fahrenheit.
Wash and slice your potato
into slices of about a quarter inch, then cut each of these
slices into fries of even thickness. Rinse them again and
put them on a paper towel and pat try.
Toss the fries in a bowl with your melted coconut oil, then
sprinkle the cornmeal and adobo on top. Keep on tossing them
until they're sufficiently coated.
Spread the fries on a baking tray that's either foiled or
set with parchment.
Bake them for around 40
minutes - they will be starting to brown, and should be
crispy, when they're done. While they're baking, make your
topping as seen below.
Once it's all ready,, move all
the fries towards the center of the pan and grate your
cheese on top. Bake for another few minutes until the cheese
is melted to your preferences, then move the fries onto a
plate or a bowl.
Dice your onion and finely chop your spinach. Add those to a
bowl with your avocado.
Mix to mush the avocado, then
add the beans. In a separate bowl, mix your lime juice, your
cilantro, honey, and olive oil. Pour that on top of the
avocado mixture and mix it all together.
It's now ready to go on top of
your fries - or, you can use it as dip.
If you choose to put it on
top, you can heat it up again for a few minutes if you
desire.
2. Cacao and Oat Breakfast Beverage
This is a quick, rich, and healthy drink that only takes the
time involved in collecting the ingredients and blending. This
recipe is for a single serve, but the recipe can easily be
multiplied to make enough drinks to serve a banquet hall.
You will need:
200 ml of vegetarian milk -
almond, soy, etc. etc.
20 grams of oats
A tablespoon of cacao powder
Sweetener to taste - a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup,
coconut sugar, or cane sugar work well. 20 grams of pitted
dates added to the recipe adds a great flavor and improves
on the consistency.
The method:
Blend everything.
If preferred, heat on the stove over medium-low heat until
you reach a preferred temperature.
3. Roasted cauliflower & lentil salad, with red pepper
sauce
This recipe has an eastern flair. It's very rich, perfectly
tangy and jam-packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and a healthy
dose of protein. This recipe must be prepared overnight, and
takes an additional hour of preparation.
It makes enough to serve four.
Note: If you're impatient
like me, you can simply cook your lentils out of the bag/jar
without soaking them beforehand.
A
little bit of their quality is compromised, but at the barely
noticeable cost of a bit of texture, you're able to cook this
recipe on demand within an hour. Simply mix them with twice as
much water per volume as lentils, and simmer with a lid on like
rice
You will need:
For the cauliflower + lentil
salad
A large cauliflower, minus leaves and stem
Two teaspoons of coconut oil
A teaspoon of cumin
Salt
350 grams of lentils, soaked
A bay leaf
A tablespoon of olive oil
A handful of parsley
For the red pepper sauce:
A large red pepper
70 grams of cashews, pre-roasted or soaked for 5 hours
A clove of garlic
Three tablespoons olive oil
Two tablespoons lemon juice
Salt & pepper
The method:
Preheat your oven 200 degrees
celsius.
Cut your cauliflower into even florets, and arrange them on
a baking tray. Rub them individually with some coconut oil,
then liberally spice with your cumin and salt.
Roast them for close to half
an hour, turning them once. Once they've begun browning on
all sides, they should be tender. Pierce them with a
toothpick or a knife to find out.
While the cauliflower's roasting, prepare your sauce. Take
the seeds out of the peppers, and cut the pepper into
quarters. Put them on the baking tray and salt them, then
bake for fifteen minutes or until the skins begin to grow
loose and black.
Drain your lentils, and rinse them to get rid of any excess.
Put these in a saucepan with
700 ml of water and your bay leaf. Bring the lentils to a
boil before lowering the heat to a simmer. Leave them
simmering for 15 minutes, or as long as it takes for them to
be tender.
Drain through a thin mesh and
put them in a bowl, then salt them and add enough olive oil
for them to be coated completely when they're mixed. Put
them aside for now.
Put your peppers in a blender or food processor. If you've
been soaking your cashews, drain and rinse them now. If they
were purchased pre-roasted, you can add them immediately.
Put in the rest of the
ingredients for the sauce, then blend or pulse until the
sauce becomes nice and thick. Salt and pepper to your taste.
If you must dilute the sauce,
add more water or oil; if you must thicken it, add more
cashews.
Prior to serving, mix the cauliflower and parsley in with
the lentils. This mixture can be served on to plates and
topped with the pepper sauce individually.
4. Vanilla and Toasted Cashew Mix
This is a quick snacky dessert mix that only takes 25 minutes to
make. It makes a fairly big jar, which you could gorge on
yourself entirely if you wanted.
Or, you could share it with up to
fourteen people.
You will need:
12 ounces of flaked coconut
(unsweetened for salty snack, sweetened for dessert snack)
12 ounces of raw cashews
Two tablespoons of coconut oil
A tablespoon of vanilla extract
Half a teaspoon of salt
Sweetener - maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar - for dessert
snack
The method:
Preheat your oven to 325
Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Add the coconut and cashews on the baking sheet and try to
evenly drip coconut oil and vanilla on top. Mix with spoons
or chopsticks.
Once they're fairly evenly
coated with the wet ingredients, add your salt and/or sugar.
Ensure the mixture is spread evenly, then bake until the
scent begins to rise and the mixture is becoming
golden-brown. This shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.
Ensure you toss the mixture every few minutes.
Remove and cool.
Put in a jar and snack at
will.
Conclusion
Aside from having a ton of culinary uses, coconut oil is extremely
good for the mind, body, and soul.
Its medicinal benefits
span across many different areas of your body, as it can be used
internally and externally as a topical lotion.
While some foodstuffs may have a wider range of health benefits,
coconut oil is proven to be extremely effective at the things it
does for you. While many herbs and plants show a 'link between
positive health effects,' coconut oil is outright obvious in its
ability to heal disease and cure conditions.
Coconut oil is a crucial addition to anyone who wants their diet to
help them grow stronger and healthier!
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