Unlike soy and corn oil, the coconut used in this recipe does not interfere with thyroid function, and there is plenty of evidence that it supports the body’s innate ability to destroy bacteria, viruses and yeast, reduces risk of atherosclerosis and related illnesses, reduces risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions, supports immune system function, helps prevent osteoporosis, helps control diabetes, promotes weight loss, supports healthy metabolic function, helps keep skin soft and smooth, helps prevent premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, helps protect against skin cancer and other blemishes, and is heat resistant making it one of the healthiest oils for cooking.
So, with all these benefits why was the American Soy Association’s 1980’s smear campaign against coconut successful? It was very well funded and is another example of money ruling over truthful health information. Unfortunately, many of these false ideas even made it into health practitioner training despite their lack of scientific backing.
Go to the muffin recipe – or read on, the truth is just the opposite of what you may have heard:
Read our article on Coconut Nutrition
The fatty acids of the coconut do not result in high cholesterol, can actually lower cholesterol, and are used immediately as a source of energy (Amarasiri & Dissanayake. Ceylon Med J 2006)
Coconut oil lowers cholesterol (Blackburn et al 1988, Ahrens and colleagues, 1957)
The coconut contains compounds essential to human health and that have numerous medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant. (DebMandal M, Mandal S. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention.)
In 1987 Lim-Sylianco published a 50-year literature review showing the anti-cancer effects of coconut oil. In chemically induced cancers of the colon and breast, coconut oil was by far more protective than unsaturated oils. For example 32% of corn oil eaters got colon cancer whereas only 3% of coconut oil eaters got the cancer. Animals fed unsaturated oils had more tumors. (Lim-Sylianco, C.Y. (1987) Anticarcinogenic effect of coconut oil. Philippine Journal of Coconut Studies (Philippines) 12, 2: 89-102)
Virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities. (Intahphuak S, Khonsung P, Panthong A. Pharm Biol 2010)
Copyright © 2011. Marie Sternquist. All Rights Reserved.
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