Why Everyone's Obsessed With Coconut Oil
Photo: Harper's Bazaar
By Emily Dudding
Move over, coconut water, your big sister has come to town. Coconut oil—specifically, virgin coconut oil extracted from the meat of the fruit—is suddenly on the lips (and in the mouths) of everyone from holistic-minded celebs (yes, Gwyneth is one of them) to the most skeptical mainstream doctors. Proponents claim that coconut oil can boost metabolism, brighten your teeth, and strengthen immunity. The oil is also taking a star turn in body balms, beauty treatments, anti-agers, and even hair products because of its ability to lock in moisture without the use of petroleum-based ingredients or other chemicals. Model Miranda Kerr is a charter member of the coco club. “I've been including coconut oil in my diet for years because of the health benefits,” she says. “I add it to salads and smoothies; I cook with it. I smooth it all over as a hydrating treatment.”
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“Coconut oil is unique in its chemical makeup,” says Bruce Fife, a nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, and the author of The Coconut Oil Miracle. “Most of the fat we eat is made up of long-chain fatty acids, but coconut oil is predominantly medium-chain fatty acids, which are processed differently. They're sent to the liver, which recognizes them as a source of fuel.” Though coconut oil has about 120 calories per tablespoon, Fife swears that it won't pack on pounds. “It kicks your metabolism into a higher gear, so you get a boost of energy and burn calories at a faster rate,” he explains. “And because fat tends to be more satisfying, it makes you feel full.” Fife, who recommends eating one to three tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily, also touts its ability to fight inflammation. A good-quality, readily available option is Carrington Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ($8).
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Christopher Ochner, an assistant professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and a nutrition and obesity expert, is reserving judgment. “There is anecdotal evidence that certain types of all-natural saturated fats have health benefits, but there is no convincing evidence that coconut oil speeds up metabolism or helps burn more fat.” But, Ochner adds, there may be something to another claim: “Medium-chain fatty acids may improve memory function because they promote the production of ketones, a source of fuel for the brain.” Fans are finding novel ways of go-ing coco. Oil pulling may sound like something dreamed up by an aggressive auto mechanic, but it's actually an ancient ayurvedic dental remedy that is all the rage. The practice, said to whiten teeth by reducing plaque, improve gum health, and sweeten breath, is simple (if not exactly fast): Once a day, swish three spoonfuls of virgin coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes before rinsing. Marc Lowenberg, a New York cosmetic dentist who tends to the smile of Julianna Margulies, is giving the trend his blessing. “Most toxins in our bodies are fat soluble,” says Lowenberg. “When you swish the oil in your mouth, the toxins merge with oil so that when you expectorate, you are spitting out the toxins. Studies have shown that plaque levels are significantly reduced.”
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Coconut oil's moisturizing properties, meanwhile, are winning over dermatologists. “It gives the skin an instant glow, and it doesn't cause breakouts, because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects,” says New York dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank. “And it has ferulic acid, which reduces inflammation. It works well with Retin-A or peels that cause dryness.” Which explains why spas are incorporating it into their latest treatments. At Manhattan's Townhouse Spa, the Coco Body Ritual ($220) starts with a coconut-oil-and-sugar scrub, then the oil is massaged in with hot stones. The VMV Skin-Specialist Boutique in NoLita uses coconut oil sourced from its organic farm for the Coconut Drizzle Body Polish ($135). And for everyday treatments, Archipelago Botanicals Coconut Body Butter ($19), Yes to Coconut Polishing Body Scrub ($8), Kora Organics Rejuvenating Foot Balm ($31), and Rodial Instaglam Skin Tint SPF 30 ($45) are rich and addictive.
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Hair is getting a tropical punch too. Celebrity stylist Mark Townsend creates a special concoction for clients like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. “I mix half a cup of raw coconut oil with a little jojoba, vitamin E, and olive, macadamia, and carrot oils,” he says. “If you put it on your hair when you're at the beach or pool, salt and chlorine can't penetrate.” For those less handy in the kitchen, Swedish hair-care brand Sachajuan has a new, coconut oil–infused Hair in the Sun leave-in treatment ($29). Kerr, who likes Clear Scalp & Hair Intense Hydration Treatment Mask ($5), says, “I also apply straight organic virgin coconut oil weekly as a natural hair treatment.”
Now, if only someone would tell us that piña coladas are actually a health elixir, we'd be all set for summer.
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