Which Oil Is More Useful: Olive Or Coconut

If you lead a healthy lifestyle and try to follow a proper diet, you probably have vegetable oils in your diet . Previously , olive oil was considered the most useful , but not so long ago it had a serious competitor - coconut oil , which is rapidly gaining popularity among followers of healthy food. Let's find out what are the benefits of both oils , and whether one of them can be called better.

Which oil is more useful: coconut or olive oil

Coconut oil is a kind of exotic, and olive oil is a classic. Disputes about which of these oils is more useful do not make sense, because their composition is different, which means that they have different effects on the body. In cooking, these types of vegetable oils are also used in different ways. At the same time, both have a place in proper nutrition.

Benefits of coconut oil

Not so long ago, a real scientific controversy broke out regarding this product. It has been actively discussed whether or not coconut oil can be classified as a dietary fiber. The reason for this is the statement of Harvard University professor Karen Michelson, who emphasized that coconut oil contains a lot of saturated fat, and concluded that this product is no better than lard. When consuming coconut oil , the risk of developing ischemia and blood vessel diseases increases. However, recent research has disproved this fact. It has been proven that coconut oildoes not affect blood cholesterol in any way, while butter raises it by an average of 10%. This is due to the fact that coconut oil contains so-called MCT-acids (from the English Medium Chain Triglycerides) - medium-chain triglycerides, which have many useful properties, in particular:

• MCT-acids are a quick source of energy. They have a fairly short chain, so they immediately enter the liver, where they are broken down with the release of energy, and not stored in reserve.

• Such acids can be converted into ketone bodies, which are used to fuel the brain and other body organs instead of glucose.

• One of the MCT acids - lauric acid - has an antibacterial and antioxidant effect. Its content in coconut oil is 58%.

• Caprylic acid, which also belongs to MCT, reduces the level of general inflammation in the body and has an antiviral effect.

• There is a theory that medium-chain triglycerides contribute to the preservation of muscle mass, which is important if a person follows a low-calorie diet for some reason.

• It was observed that people who add MCT acids to their diet consume 250 kcal less per day. This fact is explained by the fact that ketones, which are formed in the process of processing these substances, are not only an excellent source of energy, but also have the ability to suppress appetite.

Benefits of olive oil

This type of vegetable oil is useful because it contains almost no omega-3 fatty acids, but contains a lot of omega-6. Their impact on health is quite broad. In particular, omega-6 fatty acids:

• Reduce the level of general inflammation in the body.

• Reduce cravings for fatty foods.

• They stimulate metabolic processes in cells, which means they improve the appearance of the skin.

• Accelerate the process of losing weight.

Another important component of olive oil is omega-9 monounsaturated acid. It helps to reduce the level of so-called bad cholesterol in the blood. Also, Extra Virgin olive oil contains a powerful antioxidant - vitamin E. It neutralizes free radicals that are formed as a result of metabolic processes, as well as enter from the outside with the air and through smoking.