The coconut tree is known in the Philippines as the “tree of life” because everything in it, from its roots to its fruits, can be useful and beneficial to humans. The people of the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and other tropical island countries in the world which are rich in coconut trees have already been using coconuts for centuries as part of their health, nourishment and beauty regimen.
The coconut is no doubt a wonderful gift from nature, and its essence, the pure virgin coconut oil or VCO, is even more amazing. VCO is nutraceautical, cosmetic and therapeutic. In other words, it’s a healthy food, an effective beauty solution, and a natural cure to many diseases.
Virgin coconut oil is selling like hotcakes in developed countries like the United States, Japan and in many European countries due to its almost unlimited health and beauty benefits. In case you’re not yet impressed with VCO, here are some of the amazing facts about this natural oil that you should know.
1. Virgin coconut oil is a nutraceutical.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a nutraceutical is a food that provides health benefits in addition to its basic nutritional value. Virgin coconut oil is considered a nutraceutical because aside from its nutrients which are easily absorbed by the body and transformed into energy, it also contains powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti microbial properties which may cure or prevent diseases (source). Read about the health benefits of virgin coconut oil.
2. VCO has many aesthetic benefits.
Virgin coconut oil is not only nutraceutical but it’s also packed with lots of beauty benefits. For centuries, people from tropical countries like the Philippines have already been using coconut oil to moisturize the skin, nourish hair and even whiten teeth. VCO can also provide us quick energy for our workout routines without storing fats, thereby helping us to look great not only from the outside but also from within. Learn more about the beauty benefits of virgin coconut oil.
3. Virgin coconut oil is rich in Lauric Acid which is also found in mother’s milk.
Virgin Coconut Oil contains Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The fatty acids found in MCTs are called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) with aliphatic tail of 6–12 carbon atoms. Almost 50% of these MCFAs are Lauric Acid, a powerful fatty acid which is similar to the fats in mother’s breast milk that nourish babies and give them immunity to diseases (source).
4. Virgin coconut oil can kill viruses and bacteria that cannot be killed by ordinary antibiotics.
Lipid coated micro-organisms such as lipid coated viruses and bacteria have an envelope of fat (lipid in medical term) covering their basic life structure. This lipid coat is the reason why ordinary antibiotics can’t easily penetrate and destroy these types of pathogenic organisms. However, several researches have shown that MCFAs, particularly the lauric acids that are predominantly found in virgin coconut oil, can penetrate and dissolve the lipid coating (source).
5. The shelf-life of virgin coconut oil can last up to 4 years!
Virgin coconut oil is the most stable natural plant-derived oil in the market. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated. If properly processed and produced, its natural anti-oxidants can keep it fresh longer than any other natural oil being traded on the planet. Samples of virgin coconut oil produced in December 1998 and stored in transparent, open glass bottles at the processing laboratory of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Davao Research Center, still smelt fresh in February 2003 (source)!
6. Most fat in VCO is easily digested and quickly converted into energy.
Most of the saturated fat in virgin coconut oil is not stored in the body but easily digested and converted into energy. The MCFAs in VCO do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats. Instead, they go directly to the liver where they are transformed into readily available energy for people. This is why taking VCO helps people lose weight and prevent obesity (source).
7. Virgin coconut oil is one of the best, safest and healthiest cooking oils on the planet.
Coconut oil is almost 90% saturated fat. However, saturated fat is not bad in virgin coconut oil. The main fatty acid in VCO is mostly composed of MCTs and lauric acid, which are fatty acids that nourish our body and protect it from diseases (see #3 and #8). Common cooking oils like vegetable and canola oils oxidize when used in high heat cooking, forming compounds which are harmful to humans. On the other hand, VCO, which is high in saturated fat and antioxidants, is not damaged when exposed to high temperatures, giving us the best option for healthy cooking, frying and baking (source).
8. VCO is a good saturated fat which can improve the cholesterol to HDL ratio.
In a study conducted by the University of Santo Tomas VCO research team in the Philippines, 189 participants were instructed to take 1 tablespoon of VCO thrice a day after meals for four months. They were further classified according to baseline total blood cholesterol levels and were divided into normal level of cholesterol, borderline high and very high level of cholesterol in blood. The results showed reductions in triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL – the bad cholesterol) and an increase in the high density lipoprotein (HDL – the good cholesterol). The research supported that intake of VCO is likely to decrease susceptibility to heart attack or stroke (source).
9. Celebrities use VCO as part of their health, beauty and wellness regimen.
With fame, power and money, who could stop the celebrities from digging the health and beauty benefits of virgin coconut oil? Hollywood celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston use VCO for their health and wellness routine. Successful athletes such as Apolo Ohno and CJ Wilson also use VCO to boost their energy and immunity system (source).
10. The coconut has been in existence for 80 million years.
Did you know that according to fossil records, the palm coconut has been around for possibly 80 million years (source)? The oldest fossils known of the modern coconut are dated from the Eocene period from around 37 to 55 million years (source). Several modern and artificially produced super foods may come out from the market, but would you choose them over virgin coconut oil, which has been naturally produced and nurtured by our Mother Nature for over millions of years?
So what can you say about virgin coconut oil? Do you have it in your home? Are you already using it as part of your health, nutrition and beauty regimen?
To get all the benefits of virgin coconut oil, choose VCO which is produced using the cold pressed centrifuged method since it doesn’t involve heat in the process and it preserves all the nutrients, vitamins and anti-oxidants of pure raw virgin coconut oil.
If you are planning to import raw virgin coconut oil from the Philippines or buy VCO in bulk for your business and other applications, look no further. Koko Oil is a premium manufacturer of organically grown raw virgin coconut oil from the Philippines, which has a manufacturing plant located in Leyte, Leyte. For orders and inquiries, you may visit our contact page and terms and price page.
Important disclaimer: The health topics above are for general information purposes only. While there are actual studies and stories proving the health benefits of virgin coconut oil, always consult with your physician before using VCO to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.