There is the fair at my office area today, very funny for shopping. The product famous for this fair is the “coconut oil”. I wonder why it has many benefits while it’s the oil. Do you know why ??? Let’s know “coconut oil” with me first…
Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconut harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). Throughout the tropical world it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry. Coconut oil is very heat stable so it makes an excellent cooking and frying oil. It has a smoke point of about 360°F (180°C). Because of its stability it is slow to oxidize and thus resistant to rancidity, lasting up to two years due to high saturated fat content.
Production
In the wet process :
Coconut milk is made first and then the oil is extracted from the milk. Coconut kernel is shredded, mixed with a little water, and then squeezed or pressed to extract the oil. The resulting oil/water mixture produces coconut cream or coconut milk depending on the percentage of oil. The coconut milk is then allowed to separate naturally. Since oil is lighter than water, the oil rises to the surface. This takes 12 to 24 hours. The oil can then be skimmed off. This is the traditional method of making coconut oil from coconut milk and is the way many people make the oil at home. Other methods incorporate heating, fermentation, refrigeration, or centrifugal force to separate the oil from the water. Some minor heating is generally done afterwards (often in a low temperature vacuum chamber) to drive off excess moisture and produce a more purified product and to extend shelf life.
In the dry process :
The oil is extracted directly from the kernel. The coconut kernel is first shredded and dried in an oven to about 10 to 12% moisture. The dried, shredded coconut is then placed into a press and the virgin oil is expelled.
Refined, bleached deodorized (RBD)
RBD stands for “refined, bleached, and deodorized.” RBD oil is usually made from copra (dried coconut kernel). Copra can be made by smoke drying, sun drying, or kiln drying. The dried copra is then placed in a powerful hydraulic press with added heat and the oil is extracted. This yields up practically all the oil present, amounting to more than 60% of the dry weight of the coconut.
This “crude” coconut oil is not suitable for consumption because it contains contaminants and must be refined with further heating and filtering. Another method for extraction of a “high quality” coconut oil involves the enzymatic action of alpha-amylase, polygalacturonases and proteases on diluted coconut paste.
Unlike virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil has no coconut taste or aroma. RBD oil is used for home cooking, commercial food processing, and cosmetic, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes.
Hydrogenated
RBD coconut oil can be processed further into partially or fully hydrogenated oil to increase its melting point. Since virgin and RBD coconut oils melt at 76°F (24°C) foods, such as chocolate, tend to melt in warm climates. A higher melting point is desirable in these warm climates so the oil is hydrogenated. The melting point of hydrogenated coconut oil is 97–104°F (36–40°C).
In the process of hydrogenation, unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) are combined with hydrogen in a catalytic process to make them more saturated. Coconut oil contains only 6% monounsaturated and 2% polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this process some of these are transformed into trans fatty acids.
Fractionated
Fractionated coconut oil is a fraction of the whole oil, in which the long-chain fatty acids are removed so that only medium chain saturated fatty acids remain. Lauric acid, a 12 carbon chain fatty acid, is often removed as well because of its high value for industrial and medical purposes. Fractionated coconut oil may also be referred to as caprylic/capric triglyceride oil or medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil because it is primarily the medium chain caprylic (8 carbons) and capric (10 carbons) acids that make up the bulk of the oil.
MCT oil is most frequently used for medical applications and special diets.
Composition of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil consists of more than ninety percent of saturated fats (Don’t panic! First read to the last word. Your opinion may change), with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Virgin Coconut Oil is no different from this. Let us have a bit detailed study of this.
- The Saturated Fatty Acids: Most of them are Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well. Lauric Acid is the chief contributor, with more than forty percent of the share, followed by Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid and Palmitic.
- The Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Acid.
- The Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid.
- The Poly-phenols: Gallic Acid, which is phenolic acid. These poly-phenols are supposed to be responsible for the fragrance and the taste of Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these poly-phenols.
- Certain derivatives of fatty acid like Betaines, Ethanolamide, Ethoxylates, Fatty Esters, Fatty Polysorbates, Monoglycerides and Polyol Esters.
- Fatty Chlorides, Fatty Alcohol Sulphate and Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate, all of which are derivatives of Fatty Alcohols.
- Vitamin-E and Vitamin K and minerals such as Iron.
Ref : http://en.wikipedia.org and http://www.organicfacts.net
Coconut oil
Benefits of Moringa Leaves
Belows are the summarized for the Benefits of Moringa Leaves as I’ve searched for you…
As we known that “Moringa” also called “the miracle tree”. The moringa tree has many uses for people in Africa and also elsewhere it grows. Some parts of Moringa tree can be used for animal feed, domestic cleansers, perfume, dye, fertilizer, medicine, water clarification, rope fiber, and as an agent for tanning hides.
Moringa tree is rich in iron, potassium and multivitamins, especially vitamin A. Moringa tree contains four times the amounts of vitamin A in carrots and thus can prevent blindness.
The tree's leaves contain high amounts of vitamin C, which is seven times more than oranges. Moringa tree's leaves contain twice the amount of protein and four times more calcium than milk. Moringa is also rich in potassium- it contains triple the amount in bananas.
Statistics from a book called “The Tree of Life” published by Church World Services in 1999, claim the following:
“For a child aged 1-3, a 100g serving of fresh cooked leaves would provide all his/her daily requirements of calcium, about 75% of his iron and half his protein needs, as well as important amounts of potassium, B vitamins, copper and all the essential amino acids. As little as 20 grams of leaves would provide a child with all the vitamins A and C he needs.”
Without any doubt we can claim that we can only benefit from moringa tree leaves. They are organic, natural and powerful energy supplement. Moringa leaf has no proven bad effects and is absolutely safe and organic, and is suitable for people from any age group.
Benefits of Moringa Leaves
According to researchers, Moringa leaves could treat at least 300 diseases. Let's name just a benefits that Moringa leaves bring:
1. gives a feeling of wellness and promotes energy, yet this is not a sugar based energy
2. increases natural body defense and stimulates metabolism
3. stimulates the cell structure of the body
4. rich in vitamin A, provides nourishment to the eyes and brain
5. balances level of cholesterol
6. balances level of sugar
7. rich in anti-oxidants, beautifies the skin and lowers the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
8. improves functioning of kidney and liver
9. promotes healthy digestion
10. promotes body's immune system
11. promotes circulatory system and controles blood pressure
12. promotes anti-inflammatory features, heals arthritis pain
13. heals tumors and ulcers
14. balances hormone and gland system
15. detoxify body from poisons
16. helps relax and promotes good night sleep
17. purifies water
In some countries, for example in Senegal, people make sauce out of Moringa leaf powder; in India Moringa tree leaves are used in ayurvedic medicine.
From the popular myth is considered that the fruit of Moringa tree increases sexual libido in men; another myth claims that the tree hosts ghosts during the night. The truth is that is hosts insects, which makes it unattractive for people to grow it in their backyards.
Moringa has been used in households in countries it grows for centuries, but only recently has been tested commercially. Unfortunately, it is still not used widely as it should have been.
In conclusion, Moringa is remarkable discovery for Western world. Of course, people living in tropical parts know the benefits of the tree for thousands and thousands of years. Leaves are great spice in the kitchen-tasty, but most of all healthy. Tree is best known as an excellent energy and nutritional booster, rich in nutrients, vitamins and amino acids. It will replenish your body and provide you with the right energy you need, not sugar-energy, that makes you hyper for some period of time and then leaves you drained.
One might think this is just another product to sell. It is not just a product, it is a gift from nature. India's ancient tradition of ayurveda says the leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases, and modern or if you prefer western science confirmed the basic idea. Unfortunately, even while science is introducing the benefits of the Moringa leaves, this vital information has not reached the people who need it most.
Ref : http://www.steadyhealth.com, http://www.treesforlife.org, and http://en.wikipedia.org
