For the last few years, everyone has been talking about coconut oil and coconut oil that…it’s good instead of olive oil, use it as lotion, in smoothies, etc. But now everyone has been talking about MCT oil. So we thought we would list the differences between coconut oil and MCT oil so you can understand it a little more.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil: an oil made by pressing the fat from the white “meat” inside the coconut nut
- Coconut oil is solid at room temperature
- has a long shelf life
- ability to withstand high cooking temperatures
Coconut oil’s saturated fat is made up mostly of medium chain triglycerides, or MCT which some claim your body handles differently than the longer-chain fats in other vegetable oils and dairy.
Other benefits are:
- The saturated fat in coconut could boost your HDL or “good” cholesterol
- MCTs are processed in your body slightly differently than other dietary fats.
- You’re more likely to burn off their calories than convert them to body fat.
- Coconut oil’s antioxidant compounds may help reduce the risk of disease.
- The lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Lauric acid lowers the may create a more favorable total blood cholesterol profile.
- The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may lead to reduced body weight over the long term.
- Coconut oil has a high smoke point of approximately 350º
What Is MCT Oil?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides or medium-chain fatty acids. They are types of fat most often derived from coconut oil but sometimes made from palm oil or a combination of both. MCT oil is colorless, odorless, and stays liquid at room temperature, making it the perfect fat to add to food, smoothies, and coffee for extra energy and brain-boosting benefits.
There are several types of fatty acids in coconut oil, but only four strains of MCTs:
- Caproic acid (C6)
- Caprylic Acid (C8)
- Capric Acid (C10)
- Lauric Acid (C12)
(https://blog.bulletproof.com/what-is-mct-oil-vs-coconut-oil/)
There are many health benefits to using MCT oil:
- Provides quick energy
- Allow for sharper brain focus
- Antibacterial and antiviral properties
- They are easier to digest than most other fats
- Some studies have shown that MCTs can help in the process of excess calorie burning, thus weight loss.
- Promotes fat oxidation and reduces food intake.
- Boost your metabolism
Both Coconut Oil and MCT oil have great qualities and both offer a number of positive health benefits. Coconut oil offers the additional benefit of Lauric acid which may create a more favorable total blood cholesterol profile.
Want to learn more benefits of MCT oil? We recently found a great article on Hometipsworld Network: “16 Stunning Benefits of MCT Oil”.