Health Benefits of Organic Coconut Oil

Garden of Life, Tropical Traditions, and Nutiva All Top the List

Lea Barton
Organic coconut oil is one of the hottest trends in health eating today, bolstered by recent research that shows the saturated fat in this product has specific health benefits not found in other fats. For years coconut oil got a bad rap for being used in movie theater popcorn, but the reputation was undeserved as the difference between refined oil and organic coconut oil is striking. The refined product has high levels of trans and saturated fat, while unrefined organic coconut oil remains high in saturated fat, but also provides needed nutrients. Garden of Life, Tropical Traditions, and Nutiva are the major brands of organic coconut oil on the market and in health food stores today.

Why Organic Coconut Oil?

Organic coconut oil is 90% saturated fat, but the method by which the body metabolizes this fat is different from other methods. Unlike other saturated fats, organic coconut oil is 44.6% lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that has antiviral and antibiotic properties.

Organic coconut oil helps to increase metabolism and help with weight loss by supporting the thyroid. While eating too much of any saturated fat is unhealthy, in the case of organic coconut oil the specific metabolic process by which is is used can help improve brain development, skin quality, and boost overall vitality.

Garden of Life Coconut Oil

One of the best-selling organic coconut oils on the market, Garden of Life coconut oil is 100% organic and contains no genetically-modified ingredients. Garden of Life oil is a vegetarian product and is made from fresh coconut meat that is shredded, made into milk, and then fermented.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Unlike other organic coconut oil companies, Tropical traditions coconut oil carries a line of skin care products as well as their main food products. All products are 100% unrefined and Tropical Traditions sells organic coconut oil in large bulk quantities as high as five gallon buckets, helping consumers to save money and reducing packaging waste for a more eco-friendly business practice. Customers can join Tropical Traditions' Healthy Buyers' Club and receive extra savings on all purchases as well, helping to get discount organic coconut oil.

Nutiva Coconut Oil

Sold on Amazon.com in bulk and often with free shipping, Nutiva coconut oil has tremendous market share in the organic coconut oil world. Unlike other brands, Nutiva chooses not to ferment its product, claiming that fermentation harms the flavor.

Whether you are buying organic coconut oil to improve taste or boost metabolism, these top brands help to promote the healthy benefits of organic coconut oil as part of a stable, balanced diet.

Published by Lea Barton

Published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, on websites, and in academic reference guides since 1986, I have more than 2,000 articles, reviews, and columns as part of my portfolio.  View profile

  • Organic coconut oil boosts metabolism
  • Medium-chain fatty acids help with brain development
  • Garden of Life, Tropical Traditions, and Nutiva coconut oil are all GMO-free

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