Coconut oil is an incredibly healthy fat. Show
It’s rich in several medium-chain fatty acids that can have powerful effects on your metabolism. Fractionated coconut oil is made from coconut oil and mainly consists of two medium-chain fatty acids. It has been marketed as a coconut oil that can stay in liquid form in the fridge. This is a detailed review of fractionated coconut oil and its health effects. What is fractionated coconut oil?Fractionated coconut oil is an oil made from regular coconut oil. Both regular and fractionated coconut oils are great sources of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), providing fatty acids that contain 6 to 12 carbon atoms. However, their fatty acid composition is vastly different. While the main fatty acid in coconut oil is the 12-carbon lauric acid (C12), most or all of this fatty acid has been removed from fractionated coconut oil. The long-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have also been eliminated. Thus, the main medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in fractionated coconut oil are:
MCFAs are metabolized differently than other fats. They’re transported directly to the liver from the digestive tract, where they may be used as a quick source of energy. They can also be turned into ketone bodies, which are compounds that may have therapeutic effects in those with epilepsy (1). Fractionated coconut oil is tasteless, odorless, and usually more expensive than regular coconut oil. It’s very similar or even identical to MCT oil. Summary How is fractionated coconut oil made?Fractionated coconut oil is produced via a process called fractionation. Fractionation is used to separate different types of fats that are naturally found in some oils. It’s often done to make new products for consumers (2). The different melting points of various fats make fractionation possible. For example, lauric acid and long-chain fatty acids have higher melting points than caprylic acid and capric acid. Therefore, they will become solid sooner when cooled. The fractionation of coconut oil is carried out by heating the oil above its melting point. Then, it’s left to cool, and the solid fraction of the oil is separated from the liquid. The whole process of fractionation can take several hours. Summary Fractionated coconut oil may help you lose weightA diet high in MCTs, the main component of fractionated coconut oil, may aid weight loss. Most studies on this effect replaced other fats in the diet with MCTs. MCTs may help you lose weight because they:
However, the amount of weight lost is generally quite modest. One review of 13 studies found that MCTs reduced body weight by an average of 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) over three weeks, compared with other fats (10). The authors also noted that about half of these studies were funded by MCT oil producers. Therefore, there is a high risk of bias. Summary Other potential health benefitsThe MCTs in fractionated coconut oil have been associated with several other health benefits, including:
Summary Most fractionated coconut oils don’t contain lauric acidLauric acid is a major component of coconut oil. In fact, the oil comprises about 50% lauric acid and is one of the world’s richest dietary sources of this saturated fat. Lauric acid has been linked to many health benefits. It may kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi while protecting against various infections (15, 16, 17). Most fractionated coconut oils do not contain any lauric acid, or only very small amounts of it. Thus, fractionated coconut oil doesn’t offer all of the health effects that regular coconut oil does. Summary How is it used?Fractionated coconut oil has been marketed under three different names. You may know it as:
Ultimately, these are the same product that has been marketed for different consumer uses. Summary Safety and side effectsConsuming fractionated coconut oil appears to be safe for most people. However, there have been reports of people experiencing digestive symptoms. These include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, and they seem particularly common in children on an MCT-enriched ketogenic diet (18). Although extremely rare, there have been a few cases of people with coconut and coconut oil allergy (19, 20, 21, 22). These people may experience adverse reactions when consuming fractionated coconut oil. Summary The bottom lineFractionated coconut oil is made by separating the different types of fats in regular coconut oil. What remains are two medium-chain fatty acids that may lead to modest weight loss and several other health benefits. While fractionated coconut oil may offer some benefits, it’s more processed than the regular kind. Plus, lauric acid, one of the most beneficial fats, has been removed. What is the difference between coconut oil and fractionated coconut oil?Fractionated coconut oil is more liquid than solid when compared to normal coconut oil. Regular coconut oil only becomes liquid under high temperatures (78 degrees F) and has a greasy feel. Because of this unique difference, fractionated coconut oil is best used for therapeutic purposes.
How do you permanently liquify coconut oil?Indirect heat on the stove: If you have a glass jar, set it in a saucepan of gently simmering water. Turn off the heat and let the jar sit in the water. After 10 minutes or so, the entire jar should be melted.
How do you preserve homemade coconut oil?You can prolong the shelf life of coconut oil by storing it properly in an airtight container in a cool place. Only use coconut oil if you're sure it hasn't become rancid. Discard expired coconut oil immediately.
Can you melt coconut oil to use as a carrier oil?Derived from the white meat of the coconut tree, coconut oil is a natural moisturizer with many skin benefits. However, ordinary coconut oil is solid or semi-solid at room temperature, making it difficult to use as a carrier oil for essential oils. (You'd have to melt it to mix oils with it).
Can you distill coconut oil?To undergo fractionation, the coconut oil must be passed through steam distillation. During distillation, the oil's fatty chains are separated. After the process, medium-chain triglycerides can be targeted and separated.
Can you eat fractionated coconut oil?Apart from skincare and haircare, fractionated coconut oil can also be used as a dietary supplement. Fractionated coconut oil is also sold as liquid coconut oil which is marketed as edible coconut oil. Both fractionated and regular coconut oil are good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
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