SK Coconut oil

Advocates call the coconut a "superfood", but the evidence doesn't completely support that name tag - at least not yet.

Composite-wise, coconut oil contains a cornucopia of fatty acids and proteins that hold antioxidants and provide myriad health benefits. It's rich in so-called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA's), which are, in great part, comprised of Caprylic acid, Lauric acid and Capric acid.

Approximately 60% of all coconut oils are comprised of the above three fatty acids, while 90% of coconut oil fats is comprised of heart-healthy saturated fats. The latter figure is a high one, and not one that is recommendable to many doctors. For example, 14% of olive oil calories come from saturated fat, and 63% of butter's calories come from saturated fat.

As a rule, nutritionists love MCFA's, noting that, among other advantages, they're easily digestible and since they're processed by the liver, MCFA's are more effectively and quickly converted to energy, and not fat, inside the body.

Coconut Oil Nutritional Facts

Here is how coconut oil is broken down, nutritionally (based on one tablespoon of coconut oil.)

• 120 calories.

• 0 grams of protein

• 14 grams of fat (12 = saturated fat; 1 = monounsaturated fat; and 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fats.)
• 0 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol

It's worth noting that, component-wise, coconut oils often differ in their make-up, and differ in their health benefits.

For example, partially hydrogenated coconut oil isn't deemed as healthy by nutritionists - it's similar as other processed oils that hold trans fats. Yet so-called "virgin" coconut oil comes from fruit component of coconuts, and is extracted without the use of chemicals or other foreign agents. Thus, nutritionists look more favorably on virgin coconut oil.