EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (EVCO)

About Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or EVCO is cold press extracted from coconut milk made from fresh coconut meat, and without using heat. It differs from regular coconut oil on several factors such as raw material, the process of extraction, and the amount of nutrients in it.

EVCO contains a high amount of lauric acid, a type of medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA), also found in mother’smilk. Apart from fatty acids, EVCO also has minerals, vitamins, and phytosterol and polyphenol antioxidants in it.

Coconut Oil vs Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

You can think of coconut oil and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil as two sisters from the same mother.

There are similarities too, but still, both are different.  Plain coconut oil is just good. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is much, much better.

Raw material:

Coconut oil is extracted from dried coconut kernels (also called copra). Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is extracted from fresh coconut milk.

Processing method:

Coconut oil is often processed, refined and bleached and that lowers its goodness. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is unprocessed and unrefined, so it retains its nutrients in much higher quantity.

Nutritional values:

When it comes to vitamins and antioxidants (polyphenols and polysterols), EVCO totally wins hands down over plain coconut oil. More antioxidants and more vitamin E content in EVCO make it a powerful anti-pollution, anti-free radical, anti-aging ingredient.

Fragrance & flavour:

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil has more fragrance and flavor than plain coconut oil.
 

Wellness Benefits of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is good as a food ingredient/ supplement and also for topical application. In simple words, you can eat it, drink it, and apply it too.

It is a well-recognized fact that South Pacific cultures where coconut is a staple food, people have better health and nominal cardiovascular disease. Here are some benefits of EVCO.

Weight control

The medium-chain triglycerides in EVCO can help boost metabolism to aid weight loss. A study discovered that consuming 15-30 g of MCTs per day boosted calorie burn by as much as 5%.

Consuming EVCO also helps keeps away hunger pangs because ketones generated by its metabolism have an appetite suppressing effect. This cuts down on bingeing and aids with healthy weight loss.

Increasing good cholesterol

It contains natural saturated fats that help convert the bad cholesterol (HDL) into good cholesterol (LDL). This, in turn, can help lower cardiac disease and hypertension risks.

Ready energy source

The major fatty acid in EVCO is lauric acid which is a medium chain fatty acid i.e. its triglycerides (building blocks) are shorter than most other oils’. These medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) go directly to the liver for metabolism and are used as a ready source of energy.

Neurological benefits

Some part of EVCO fatty acids gets converted into ketones in the liver. These ketones are believed to have neurological health benefits. This is especially validated by research for epileptic patients. Even in other dreaded disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia, higher ketone count may help with brain function improvement.

Checks infection-causing microbes

We have already mentioned lauric acid that makes up about 50% of fatty acids present in EVCO. Lauric acid in the body converts in monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin are antimicrobial and can kill infectious disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. This powerful feature helps the body resist infections and stay healthier.

Improves oral, skin and hair health

Oil pulling (swishing oil in mouth and spitting out) with EVCO is known to improve dental and oral health.

EVCO application and massage on skin helps the skin retain more moisture, reduce dryness, and bring relief in skin disorders like eczema.

EVCO massage on scalp and hair can strengthen hair follicles, reduce dryness, improve hair health, and shield hair from sun damage by UV rays.

Potential Side Effects of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

EVCO is a highly safe substance that has been used by sea-faring cultures for multiple purposes without any harm. However, keeping in mind modern sedentary lifestyles, the high on fatty acids EVCO is best consumed in moderate quantities. We recommend 1-2 tsp of EVCO a day as a dietary supplement. Do consult your healthcare professional before starting this or any other dietary supplement. For topical application, use as required.

How to make Extra Virgin Coconut Oil a part of Daily Routine

Dietary Supplement

Take1 tsp EVCO on its own or blended in the food of choice. This may help raise good cholesterol (HDL), improve the brain’s memory and cognitive functions, boost immunity, ease joint pains and provide instant energy.

Anti-aging Skin Care

Apply as a moisturizer and/or use as a massage oil. It helps keep skin youthful, even-toned and glowing.

Baby Massage Oil

Take some oil in palms. Massage gently all over baby’s back legs, arms, chest, and head. This helps protect from infections, soothe skin, and promote healthier hair growth.

Carrier Oil for Essential Oils

Blend 3 drops essential oil with 10 ml EVCO. Use as required.

For scalp and hair care

Once or twice a least once a week, massage your scalp with EVCO. Leave overnight. Wash hair in the morning.

Makeup remover

Just dip a cotton ball in EVCO and gently run over skin with old makeup. See it all come off in seconds. This works beautifully as a lipstick remover and eye makeup remover too.

Hand protector

After doing dishes or washing clothes, just massage a small amount of EVCO all over your hands. Dryness will stay away, and your hands will look and feel baby soft.

Makeup highlighter

Just apply a little bit of EVCO on top of makeup along the cheekbones. Your cheekbones will get a natural highlighting effect.

WOW Life Science Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

WOW Life Science Extra Virgin Coconut Oil has been cold press extracted from fresh and raw coconut milk (not dried copra) using state-of-the-art centrifugal technology, and totally without using any heat or chemicals.  As compared to regular coconut oil made from copra, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO) is much richer in healthy micronutrients - lauric acid, antioxidants, phytosterols, polyphenols, & vitamin E. 

Bottom Line on Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

EVCO is a cold-press extracted from coconut milk. Being unrefined and unprocessed, it has higher antioxidant and vitamin content, and hence more health benefits, than regular coconut oil. EVCO can be used as a food ingredient; it can also be used for topical application on skin, scalp, and hair. Ultra-rich in a medium-chain fatty acid called lauric acid, otherwise found only in mother’s milk, it has numerous health benefits.

It comes packed in a handy and sleek 400 ml bottle that gives good and multiple usages. A must-have for your kitchen, vanity, and medicine cabinet.

FAQs

What is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil?

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or EVCO is the oil that’s cold-press extracted from coconut milk using centrifuge technology. It is unrefined and unprocessed, made completely without using heat or chemicals.

How is regular coconut oil different from EVCO?

Regular coconut oil is made from copra or dried coconut kernels. Often it is processed, refined and bleached using heat and chemicals. EVCO is made from coconut milk. It is not refined or processed or bleached. No heat or chemicals are used. The nutritional values of EVCO are higher than those of regular coconut oil.

Can EVCO be consumed as a dietary supplement?                                            

Yes, it is a superfood given its healthy fats, antioxidants and vitamin E content. A good quality, food-grade EVCO can be consumed as a supplement or food ingredient.

What makes EVCO a must-have for my pantry/vanity/ medicine cabinet?

EVCO is a multipurpose product suitable for both consumption and topical application. You can use it as a dietary supplement, kitchen ingredient, baby massage oil, carrier oil, hair oil, skin moisturizer, anti-aging treatment, makeup remover, and much more.