Rising demand of VCO pushes coco industry up

Coconut industry officials have noted that the increasing popularity on the health benefits from virgin coconut oil has caused an increase in demand of the product, which may in turn reverse the downslide of the industry itself.

Philippine Coconut Authority regional manager Deodiro Ravelo said the usage of virgin coconut oil as beauty enhancer, weight reducer, nutrition supplement, and cleanser of bacteria and fungi from the body has been gaining much popularity.

He said more farmers are now keen on producing the oil, and entrepreneurs are now interested in investing in this product that in turn revitalized the rather stagnating coconut industry.

The country’s scientists, Ravelo said, have already studied deeper into the health benefits of virgin coconut oil, which American noted nutritionist Bruce Fife had described as “the healthiest dietary oil on Earth.”

This growing interest has sharply shifted the earlier impression of virgin coconut oil as a mere cooking ingredient or anti-dandruff medication, and transformed the product to its present status as a health and beauty product.

Conrado S. Dayrit, former president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, said that coconut oil is the best oil ever developed after several decades of studies.

The “virgin” description of the oil refers to its processing and output because it is obtained from mature kernel of coconut, through mechanical or manual means, without the use of heat and chemicals.

The natural elements of the oil are never altered, making it ready for consumption with its distinctive flavor and aroma intact, said the scientific notes of the product.

Product literature also stated that virgin coconut oil, as vegetable oil, is richest in medium-chain triglycerides, mainly lauric acid.

MCT is metabolized differently from long-chain triglycerides and is rapidly hydrolyzed and absorbed in the intestine and transported directly to the liver where it is metabolized rapidly to energy and adenosine triphosphate.

This means that virgin coconut oil generates higher body temperature and energy while helping induce weight loss, improve digestion, absorb more nutrients, and improve metabolism.

It also enhances the body’s immune system and the proper functioning of the thyroid glands,

among many other health benefits. — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE