There was a debate recently (on the Solutions' Exchange: http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/en/Food-&-Nutrition-Security/introduction.html ) which threw up these perspectives. It might be of interest to Goanetters... given the relevance of the coconut to Goa:
Incidentally, among the different oils and fats, coconut oil has the maximum digestibility coefficient and is more rapidly digested and absorbed in the human system than any other fat. Coconut oil is preferred for medicinal foods, especially for disorders affecting digestion, absorption and transport of fats, and infant feeding formulae for the treatment of malnutrition. Drawing from the results of research studies conducted in different countries, members concluded that coconut oil and kernel as components of daily diet result in favorable changes in a person's blood lipid profile, sustain optimum levels of Vitamin E and contribute to the enhanced secretion of insulin and utilization of blood glucose. Discussants noted that although coconut oil is a saturated fat, the preponderance of short and medium chain fatty acids, constituting as much as 70% of the saturated fatty acids present, renders it chemically and functionally different from the rest of the saturated fats. They also highlighted that coconut oil when compared with other fats and oils, has the highest content of glycerol. The food industry extensively uses this oil in confectionery preparations, infant milk preparations, etc. -- ---------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | Ym/Gmailtalk: fredericknoronha http://fn.goa-india.org | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9970157402 ----------------------------------------------------------
