You probably agree that coconuts play a special role in our life. You can find valuable components in the whole coconut itself, in the desiccated coconut and in the extracted coconut oil. The soap and cosmetic industries have benefit from the major fatty acid of coconuts since a long time ago. Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. in her article "Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century" explains that approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria, including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid. Also, approximately 6-7% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are capric acid. She also stated that all statements pointing that any saturated fat is a dietary problem is not supported by evidence (Enig 1993). This article is quite long and at the end, she said that coconut products are of the greatest importance for the health of the entire world for inedible and especially edible uses. |
