So what’s up with coconut oil and ghee?
There has been much research coming out in recent years that show the benefits of making healthy fats a part of your regular diet. And there are plenty of ways to get good fats into your diet. For the sake of this article, we compare coconut oil and ghee—both oils touted as superfoods with their own unique benefits to offer.
Ghee: What is it good for?
If you regularly follow our blog (or if you’re just really well-versed in ghee benefits already), you’re probably aware that ghee made from grass-fed butter is a great source of good fats. Ghee made from grass-fed butter (like Full Moon Ghee) has a slew of awesome benefits.
Ghee promotes a healthy gut. Ghee contains butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid that can help reduce inflammation and ultimately help prevent dozens of chronic illnesses that are linked to or caused by inflammation.
Ghee contains vitamins A, E, and K. Vitamin A supports a healthy immune system and plays a vital role in bone and vision development. Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant and can help combat neurodegenerative diseases. And vitamin K is vital for maintaining bone health and preventing cancer development and heart issues.
Ghee is loaded with Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which have countless benefits, from improving heart health to boosting the immune system to relieving depression and anxiety.
What coconut oil can do for you
While coconut oil may not be as nutrient-dense as ghee, it offers plenty of benefits in its own right.
Coconut oil can encourage fat burning. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can help your body increase the number of calories you burn in a day.
Coconut oil has antimicrobial effects. The lauric acid in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, giving your immune system a boost and helping to limit breakouts on your skin. There is also evidence that using coconut oil as a mouth wash (called oil pulling) can promote oral hygiene and prevent mouth infections.
Coconut oil’s saturated fat content can help to increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind of cholesterol) levels in your blood. Experts believe that the saturated fat levels in coconut oil can help improve heart health by increasing your HDL when compared to other types of fats.
There’s a place in your diet for both coconut oil and ghee
When comparing coconut oil and ghee, can we say which one is better for you? Ghee is more nutrient-dense and full of beneficial short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids. But coconut oil helps to decrease LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) levels in your blood and can help fight off infections and boost your immune system. So ultimately, there is a place for both oils in a healthy, well-balanced diet! You don’t have to choose—just don’t over-do it with either, and make sure to eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, and drink lots of water.
For more about ghee’s health benefits, check out our blog.
Be sure to check out our shop to get some Full Moon Ghee!
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Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Unsplash
