If you're seeing coconut everywhere at the moment, you're not the only one. Coconut oil has fast become a staple item in the kitchen for sweet and savoury cooking, coconut water is the new super hydrating drink perfect for post-sports, and coconut oil and butter has even made its way into the bathroom as a key beauty product ideal as a moisturiser, hair balm and due to its anti-bacterial qualities, mouthwash.
CLICK PHOTOS FOR RECIPES WITH COCONUT OIL
Actress Jennifer Aniston and model Suki Waterhouse are big fans, the new generation of healthy food bloggers can't stop talking about it and healthy recipes featuring the on-trend ingredient are all over social media and in many of the latest cookbooks.
What's making everyone cook with coconut oil? It has been linked to cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It's one of the richest sources of saturated fat you can find, with around 90% of calories as saturated fat. But more importantly, it’s the unique composition of fatty acids that makes it so attractive to those after a healthy living.
These MCTs go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick energy source or turned into so-called ketone bodies, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's.
It consists almost entirely of medium chain triglycerides, which are fatty acids of a medium length that are metabolised differently to long-chain fatty acids.
Using it in baking and as an ingredient in sweets like cakes, mousse, snacks and tarts keeps them healthy without losing taste.
Not only is it great for our health but coconut oil is also versatile and deliciousThe high amount of saturated fat in coconut oil makes it highly resistant to oxidation at high heats, making it the perfect oil for high-heat cooking methods like frying.
