Let’s understand why we do what we do – you cannot walk in a grocery store these days without seeing a jar of coconut oil – it’s everywhere. In India, many have always used coconut oil in their cooking, probably without stopping to think about the health benefits or the reasons why.
IC reached out to Ayurvedic doctor Ashok Jethanandani to understand the benefits of using coconut oil.
“Coconut oil is cooling, and balances vata and pitta doshas. In excess it increases kapha dosha. However, because it is heavy to digest like other fats, it provides satiety for a longer time, and helps to curb sugar cravings and reduce blood sugar. Coconut oil contains mainly saturated fat, which remains stable at higher temperatures. So it is a good medium for higher temperature cooking – for example, tadka or the tempering of spices in Indian cooking. It is also used to massage the scalp because it strengthens hair roots.”
Now you know why Indians have always used coconut oil!
Ashok Jethanandani practices Ayurvedic medicine through his clinic at Classical Ayurveda.