Simran Narang: As the world gets more knowledgeable there are debates for everything. Today if something is believed to be extremely good for your body and health, the next day the research medical journals pronounce just the opposite. Caught between the two extreme and opposite views, the poor human is all confused.

Till recently it was a propagated that cholesterol is bad for health but now the attention has moved away and it is no more about cholesterol…and so on. But traditionally used food items have stood the testimony of time and their benefits are known since ages.
While, for the west olive oil is the miracle oil, for the Indians it is some other oil. It is Coconut oil.
Coconut oil is used extensively by the people of not only South India but also South Asia and has been used since generations now. Every place produces and uses their locally produced oils according to their climatic conditions. In North mustard is grown predominantly and so mustard oil is used in food preparation. In the same way, in Maharashtra groundnut is grown abundantly and so groundnut oil is popularly used for cooking. In the south the climate is suitable for growing coconut trees and there is plenty of use of coconut in every form. Similarly Olive oil is more popular in the Western countries.
Usage of coconut oil for cooking is very beneficial. Daily meals can be prepared using coconut milk. Grated coconut can be used in vegetables. Just as north Indians garnish their dishes on top with fresh coriander, the people of south do it with coconut. Many people do not like the smell of coconut in their meals but as one uses it on a small scale daily this feeling can be easily overcome. Slowly begin to use it in at least 1 dish and gradually its use can be extended for all cooking and benefits of the nutritional values will start to benefit your overall health.
Coconut oil is good for people who have removed their gall bladder, for diabetics and thyroid patients. It is also good for the liver and boosts good cholesterol. Also helps in controlling high BP as well as in treatment of psoriasis.
Having said all this, all oils do have saturated fats in lesser or more proportions. So, how much quantity you are consuming is important. Even pure ghee too has immense health benefits but that does not mean you have ladle full of it in your meals. One should understand the limits and anything in excess is always bad and moderation of use of anything is always good. Apart from good cooking and eating habits, one has also to follow a good lifestyle, active physical life as all these factors play a major role in creating healthy body.
Application of coconut oil on your face at bedtime does miracles.Also massaging the body with coconut oil keeps it soft and glowing. The hydrating properties of coconut oil make it a very good ingredient for healthy skin and remove or lighten blemishes.
Based on the extraction process the nutritional value of coconut oil may differ. There are 2 forms of coconut oil the cold pressed and the refined. The cold pressed oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat and also called Virgin coconut oil and popularly used for skin and hair treatment because of better nutritional values and is also edible but not suitable for high temperature in cooking like sautéing and frying. For this purpose the refined oil extracted by the heating process is more suitable.
So cook and eat mindfully and remember to have an active life not a sedentary lifestyle as it would lead to further health hazards.