Coconut Oil
TAKE HOME ESSAY
CANDIDATE NAME: COMMEY, NII AMARQUAYE
INDEX NUMBER: 10350262
COURSE TITLE: ACADEMIC WRITING I
COURSE CODE: UGRC 110
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2010-2011
SEMESTER: 2
GROUP: 7
LECTURER’s NAME: WORNYO, ALBERT
COCONUT OIL AND ITS MEDICINAL EFFECTS
Edible oils are found in large amounts in our daily diets hence adding up to a great amount of fatty acids in our system. Examples are in our stews, some soups, several rice dishes, fried or grilled meat and fish. Many have thus perceived that oil has been the cause for several of the ailments that have plagued and still plague our race, especially heart disease and other related cholesterol issues (Blonz, 1991).Nature gives the best source of oils, such as palm kernel and coconut oil. Coconut oil was maligned as one of such oils by the American Soybean Association (ASA), when the true cause was rather the vegetable oils in our food. Why was coconut oil the victim and what truly does coconut oil do?
Coconut is scientifically known as Cocos nucifera. Coconut oil, just one of the many products from the coconut plant, comprises medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) found also in breast milk, which strengthen the immunity of babies to diseases.Coconut oil is in two main types; RBD (Refined, bleached and deodorized) coconut oil and Virgin coconut oil (the others that are often seen on the market are just versions of these two).The difference is characterized by the amount of processing the oil undergoes. RBD oils are made from dried coconut meat, ‘copra’ as Virgin oil is made from fresh coconut meat, ‘non-copra’. Another method for differentiating them is by their smell and taste (Fife, 2005). Virgin coconut oil is highly favoured due to its flavoured taste and sweet aroma in comparison to its counterpart, RBD oil which is bland. Coconut oil is referred to generally as the “functional food” by dieticians, since it possesses health benefits beyond its nutritional content.
CANDIDATE NAME: COMMEY, NII AMARQUAYE
INDEX NUMBER: 10350262
COURSE TITLE: ACADEMIC WRITING I
COURSE CODE: UGRC 110
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2010-2011
SEMESTER: 2
GROUP: 7
LECTURER’s NAME: WORNYO, ALBERT
COCONUT OIL AND ITS MEDICINAL EFFECTS
Edible oils are found in large amounts in our daily diets hence adding up to a great amount of fatty acids in our system. Examples are in our stews, some soups, several rice dishes, fried or grilled meat and fish. Many have thus perceived that oil has been the cause for several of the ailments that have plagued and still plague our race, especially heart disease and other related cholesterol issues (Blonz, 1991).Nature gives the best source of oils, such as palm kernel and coconut oil. Coconut oil was maligned as one of such oils by the American Soybean Association (ASA), when the true cause was rather the vegetable oils in our food. Why was coconut oil the victim and what truly does coconut oil do?
Coconut is scientifically known as Cocos nucifera. Coconut oil, just one of the many products from the coconut plant, comprises medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) found also in breast milk, which strengthen the immunity of babies to diseases.Coconut oil is in two main types; RBD (Refined, bleached and deodorized) coconut oil and Virgin coconut oil (the others that are often seen on the market are just versions of these two).The difference is characterized by the amount of processing the oil undergoes. RBD oils are made from dried coconut meat, ‘copra’ as Virgin oil is made from fresh coconut meat, ‘non-copra’. Another method for differentiating them is by their smell and taste (Fife, 2005). Virgin coconut oil is highly favoured due to its flavoured taste and sweet aroma in comparison to its counterpart, RBD oil which is bland. Coconut oil is referred to generally as the “functional food” by dieticians, since it possesses health benefits beyond its nutritional content.
References: Applegate, L. (1996). Runners World. Nutrition, (31), 26-27. Blonz, E.R. (1991, January 23). Scientists revising villain status of coconut oil. Oakland Tribune, p. 22. Fife, B. (2005). Coconut cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut. Colorado: Piccadilly Books Limited. Fife, B. (1996). Coconut: Eat fat, Lose weight. Retrieved April 3, 2011 from the World Wide Web: http://www.simplycoconut.com//