Coconut Oil, does it really work?

       The tireless search for the perfect body brings up several new topics and coconut oil is the star of the moment, making it into the list of the ten best foods in the world. But does it really help you lose weight?

          Coconut is a functional food, that is, it goes beyond nutritional functions. It improves the immune system by increasing all of the body's defenses, helps regulate intestinal functions, contributes to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in addition to controlling carbohydrate cravings (which helps control diabetes).

         According to nutritionist Adriana Casto in an interview with the GNT website (www.gnt.globo.com), coconut fat is capable of generating heat and burning calories, thus promoting weight loss. Furthermore, doctor Guilherme Giorelli, in an interview with the same website, points out that coconut oil also reduces triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL) and also promotes an increase in good cholesterol (HDL).

         For those who want to lose weight, the recommendation is two to four tablespoons per day, which can be used to replace soybean, canola or corn oil, as it has a very pleasant flavor. A good tip is to use this oil in salads. This amount of two to four spoons is enough to reduce your appetite and promote weight loss. As a complementary food, coconut oil must be consumed every day to achieve the desired effect.

         It is important to remember that all these benefits are found in virgin coconut oil, when purchasing, pay attention to this detail. When subjected to high temperatures, extra virgin coconut oil does not lose its nutritional characteristics, being considered a stable oil. It is also considered the healthiest for cooking compared to all vegetable oils, such as soy, canola, corn and even olive oil. Virgin oil goes through processes that maintain its beneficial properties.

 Coconut oil can also be used in recipes

According to nutritionist Bruna Murta in an interview with the website Expressomt (www. expressmt.com.br), coconut oil can and should be used in recipes as a substitute for butter and margarine. See how easy it is to make this delicious chocolate cake:

Fluffy chocolate cake

Ingredients:
– 2 ½ cups. (tea) organic whole wheat flour
– 2 cups. (tea) of common wheat flour
– ½ cup. (tea) organic soy flour
– 3 cols. sifted cocoa powder (soup)
– 1 col. (tea) sodium bicarbonate
– 1 cup. organic brown sugar (tea)
– 5 cols. coconut oil (soup)
– 1 pinch of sea salt
– 1 col. apple cider vinegar (soup)
– 1 col. vanilla essence (tea)
– 1 cup. cold water (tea)
 

Method of preparation:
In a bowl, place the flour, cocoa, baking soda, sugar and salt. Mix. Make three deep holes in the dry mixture and pour the oil over the first one; in the second, vinegar; and in the third, vanilla. Pour the water into the bowl and mix the wet and dry ingredients until the dough is uniform. Bake in a preheated oven at 180ºC for approximately 30 minutes.

Recipe taken from the website:

http://www.expressomt.com.br/noticia.asp?cod=64007&codDep=8