One of the most popular health trends today is substituting things
like butter, margarine, and a vast array of other oils used for cooking with
coconut butter and coconut oil. Are these coconut based substitutes actually
healthier, however?
Coconut oil is pure fat that is composed of 90% saturated
fats. This explains why this particular oil is solid and opaque at room
temperature. The saturated fats in coconut oil are not your typical saturated
fats, however. They are actually MCT’s or Medium Chain Triglycerides. Medium
Chain Triglycerides function differently than the usual long-chain fatty acids.
These fatty acids are readily absorbed by the digestive tract (the liver in
particular), which results in the creation of energy that can readily be used
by the body. This ultimately helps the body burn more fat at a faster rate. Studies
have also shown that it can reduce appetite; due to the way the MCT’s react in the
digestive system.
Coconut butter, which is essentially pureed coconut meat, contains
important nutrients such as fiber, as well as, small amounts of potassium,
magnesium, and iron.
Although coconut oil
and coconut butter prove to have health benefits, consumers should remain
cognizant of the fact that it is high in calories and is mainly composed of
saturated fats. Therefore, it should be watched carefully and limited. A
tablespoon of regular butter averages about 102 calories, whereas a tablespoon
of coconut oil (the recommended serving size) contains about 130 calories. A
tablespoon of coconut butter is about 100 calories.
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