The coconut oil, a healthy asset

At first glance, the composition of coconut oil is scary. Its 86% saturated fatty acids cause us to think twice rather than before consuming it. However, not all fatty acids are equal and, good news, those present in coconut oil do not represent a cardiovascular risk. It is in fact medium chain triglycerides : the fatty acids present in coconut oil do not use the same chain of digestion as the bad fats. They are more quickly assimilated by the liver which transforms them immediately into energy. Major assets for this vegetable oil often called "health oil" . Coconut oil naturally produces lauric acid in large quantities (50 to 55%), which gives it antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties . In short, the fats of this oil are good to help us fight against viruses. And when we watch his diet and weight too.

Coconut oil: unique taste qualities

If the composition of coconut oil is good for your health, remember that it is still oil. And that all oils are 100% fat . The right amount: 1 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day, no more. It does not contain omega-3, which makes it particularly heat-stable. It can be used to return his vegetables and give them a sweet scent of coconut. And do not panic if you do not want to denature the raw taste of its vegetables, there is coconut oil odorless , called " devaporated" . This oil is also excellent in cooking oil : it can be used up to 50 times, with regular filtering (once every month). Coconut oil is also increasingly used in Belgian chip shops for its taste and economy as well as for its nutritional benefits. It can also be used to make mayonnaise , chocolate cake , pancakes , pies , smoothies or spread on bread. Coconut oil is actually a little new food that replaces butter.

How to recognize a good coconut oil?

Variant on average from 20 to 27 € per kilo , there are several coconut oils of more or less good quality. At the bottom of the ladder, there is coconut oil , then virgin coconut oil and finally the ultimate, extra virgin coconut oil . Other elements to take into account:

• Coconut oil should be white , especially not yellowish or greyish. It is a pledge of purity.
• To choose, it is better to buy a coconut oil in a glass jar rather than in a plastic wrapper. Glass is greener than plastic and can isolate the product of certain substances that can be toxic.
• All coconut oils do not have the same smell depending on their degree of freshness. One thing is for sure, coconut oil must smell good.

Our favorite coconut oils:

Organic extra virgin coconut oil Amanprana.
11,95 € the pot of 325 ml and 43,95 € the pot of 1600 ml.

The Emile Noël coconut oil.
10,70 € the pot of 340 ml.

Thanks to Angélique Houlbert, dietician-nutritionist, specialist of the glycemic index and co-author of the New GI Regime and to Philippe Couvreur, France Manager of the brand Amanprana.