The great oil debate, “which oil should we cook in?” is a massive question always on everyone’s lips. Then it strings into “But why is coconut oil better for us rather than olive oil?”. So on and so forth. Which will then always lead us to the same destination each and every time. The discussion or the debate, of the benefits of eating healthy and organic. This is all intertwined into one debate, that seems to be going around in one constant circle.
The benefits of eating healthy and organic are endless. Better sleep patterns, better concentration or attention span, clarity, healthier gut, less fatigue and more energy. Just to name a few. However it all start from the initial cooking of the food and what we base our meal on, which is the cooking process and that is where the oils come into play.
Just the other day I was taking Charlie (RFT mascot) for a walk and happened to walk past a café. Not a “health specific” café just the regular run of the mill. I couldn’t help but notice that they had massive 20L drums of oil outside. Not just one but five. I kept walking minding my own business when it finally got the better of me and I had to turn around and go investigate further. Of course what I found was not pleasant. The nutritional information at first glance wasn’t too bad. Yes, the saturated fat content was high but that is to be expected, it’s not great don’t get me wrong but to be expected. Then I looked closer. Under the nutritional information were the ingredients. Cotton seed oil, antioxidants (319 & 320) and antifoam (900a). Well where do I begin…
It would have been easier for the ingredients list to look more like this. Ingredients: CHEMICAL SHIT STORM. What on earth are those ingredients and what’s the big deal all about?
Well. Let me start at the first ingredient, cotton seed oil. Within cotton seeds itself are many different properties and one of those properties or make-up’s of a cotton seed itself is something called ‘Linoleic acid’ is an essential fatty acid that yes, can be or should be consumed for proper health however too much of these particular property and inflammation begins to spread in the body.
The oxidized metabolic products of linoleic acid, such as 9-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 13-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, have also been shown to activate TRPV1, the capsaicin receptor, and through this might play a major role in hyperalgesia and allodynia. What is Hyperalgesia I hear you ask? It is an increased sensitivity to pain, which may be caused by damage to nociceptors or peripheral nerves. This property is also found in quick drying oils, oil paints and varnishes.
Do I need to go on? Probably not but I will. The next two are the most alarming two ingredients in this oil. Antioxidants (319 & 320) antioxidants are good for us right? Right. However you guessed it, not these kinds. Antioxidant 319 just to google this particular ingredient is obvious to see just how inappropriate it is for our bodies to consume. The first thing that comes up on the page is “The Dangerous Food Additives table”. This particular ingredient has been proven to cause both asthma and hyperactivity; however it is has not yet been passed as a “cancer causing agent”. 319 is derived from petroleum and is also associated with birth defects (B. Stathm, 2001). Now remember this is the agents/chemicals within the ingredients that make up cotton seed oil. There have also been findings of acute neurotoxic effects reported in animals and the particular ingredients is prohibited in foods for infants, however adults seem to be consuming it in their everyday diet!?
Let’s move along to ingredient, antioxidant 320. Once again this ingredient is petroleum derived and is also banned in some countries!!!! Ok to be brief and to the point. Side effects of consuming this particular ingredient:
- Suspected respiratory, skin, liver, immune and neuro-toxicity.
- Headaches
- DNA damage
- Recognised carcinogen (a substance which causes cancer in living tissue)
- Wheezing
AND WAIT FOR IT……
- Depression, fatigue and chronic urticarial (a skin rash which is triggered by a reaction to food, medicine or irritants). (B. Stathm, 2001)
Have I made my point yet? Can you see the benefits and the reason why a small majority of the population, including myself choose organic coconut oil. Well if not yet you sure will after I quickly explain the third and final ingredient.
Let’s just say that Anti-foam 900a is found in industrial processed liquids. It is a chemical additive that is normal found or combined with a de-foaming agent. Which is also found in certain alcohols, silicones as well as glycols (similar to alcohol products).
So in saying all of this, who will actually think twice about what you cook your family’s chicken breast in for Tuesday night’s stir-fry? Or the family roast? Who is actually going to process and take on board this information as a means to start a fresh and choose the healthier options/cafés etc. when it comes to their health or even more so their families health? What is a few extra dollars here and there to save us all from lining up at the doctor’s surgery more often than not!? If we choose the healthier options for our nutrition and what we fuel our bodies with we are going to drastically reduce signs of inflammation, fatigue, depression, lethargy, disease the list goes on. We will increase the benefits of everyday living and wait for it, pain free.
So you are left with a decision. The decision is this, whether or not you spend a few extra dollars on your grocery bill or spend an extra $100 on your family medical bill? The choice is yours and after reading this I hope you will make the right choice.
‘Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.’ Hippocrates, father of medicine, 431 B.C. A proverb that has been lost in time.
Coach B xx
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