People these days are becoming more and more conscious about the impact of material consumption on the environment. Rightfully so, since relentless demand for goods and products from consumers places a strain on the limited physical and natural resources that we all need to share in.
One of the everyday things that we rarely give thought to is cooking and eating. You may not know it but the food that we cook with and put on the table has a big impact on Mother Nature. Take for example a simple aspect of cooking such as the type of oil that you use. For decades, vegetable oil such as palm oil has been commonly used mainly for its affordability. However, producing this type of oil has led to ecological imbalance in countries where oil palms are endemic. Given the burgeoning demand for palm oil, landowners are sometimes forced to clear rainforests just to give way to oil palm farming.
Eco-friendly edible oils
Around the world, coconut oil is slowly emerging as an alternative edible oil for consumers. Coconut trees, which are endemic to tropical countries and climates, grow in abundance and are sustainably regulated. Virgin coconut oil suppliers in the Philippines are considered among the best sources of coconut oil because the industry is well-established for the local market alone.
In such tropical cultures, the coconut tree is actually called “the tree of life” because almost all of its parts are put to good use as various types of consumer products. Virgin coconut oil is one of them, being made from the white, pulpy meat of the coconut fruit. Oil is obtained from this fresh meat and is usually left raw or unprocessed. Hence, virgin coconut oil is also referred to as raw or unrefined coconut oil.
The product is generally eco-friendly because there are little to no mechanical or chemical processes involved in producing virgin coconut oil. This allows the product to be pure and packed with natural therapeutic benefits. Regular coconut oil, in comparison, is produced from copra or the dried meat of the coconut fruit. The oil usually undergoes additional processes such as bleaching and refining, and as such may not be as eco-friendly.
Health benefits of coconut oil
Nevertheless, in general, coconut oil is hailed as being one of the healthier edible oils available in the market today. First of all, coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides, which are considered as good cholesterol. It also possesses a lot of anti-oxidants apart from the usual vitamins and minerals. People consume virgin coconut oil to address or ward off certain diseases and ailments, and to have an overall boost of the immune system.
Coconut oil also boasts of natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, and as such it makes for an ideal all-around lotion, salve, or balm. For centuries, people in tropical cultures have slathered on coconut oil to keep their skin moisturized and supple. They also use coconut oil on their hair to keep it shiny, strong, and healthy. Coconut oil has been found to cure skin conditions such as allergies, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis, and many others.
Eco-friendly solution
All these natural benefits make virgin coconut oil a truly eco-friendly cure-all. No wonder millions of people around the world have been raving about virgin coconut oil as a health and wellness product. If you haven’t tried virgin coconut oil for yourself, why not give it a chance? Just be sure to choose the right brand and buy only from reputable sources so that you can enjoy the maximum benefits that virgin coconut oil provides.
