Facts About Refined Coconut Oil

Have you ever tried coconut oil? Chances are you've seen this offering before – either as a remedy for chapped lips and split ends, as an essential addition to your weight loss plan, or even as a natural plant-based lubricant.

Yes, this wonderful oil has been trending for a number of years, and for good reason: This healthy refined pure coconut oil is loaded with medium-chain triglycerides, which are believed to be good for the skin and have heart-boosting potential and increase metabolism. 

The processing steps used to produce refined coconut oil may include removal of the latex, particularly cold soaking of coconut oil to remove the natural latex; Neutralization, a process that removes free fatty acids to avoid the risk of oxidation.

Bleaching, which contains no bleach at all but is obtained by sifting clay; and finally deodorization, where the oil is heated to remove the aroma and taste of the coconut.

Refined coconut oil is almost completely tasteless and odorless, and has a smoke point of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Another thing to note is that processing is mostly associated with nutrient loss, but refined coconut oil is not.

The refining process does not affect the medium-chain triglycerides or the amount of lauric acid and saturated fat in the final product. In other words, there's no reason to skip virgin coconut oil, especially if you can't control the taste of the coconut.