Coconut Oil, although a saturated fat, is good for you Essay

Coconut Oil, although a saturated fat, is good for you - Essay Example For that matter, different data and information regarding the use of coconut oil for different applications can be found in abundance. The study conducted is related to the said accumulation of data and information that can present the benefits and useful applications of coconut oil in different field and aspects of the human subsistence. In addition, one of the important objectives is to be able to state the different nutritional and health benefits of coconut oil. The determination of the composition of coconut oil is one of the primary aspects that are needed to be studied to be able to present the reasons behind the benefits of the said oil. Coconut oil is composed of saturated fat (90%). Although this is the case, the said fats are primarily medium chain triglycerides that are considered less harmful that other types of saturated fats that are generally considered harmful. Specifically it is composed if saturated fatty acids (92%), monounsaturated fatty acids (6%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2%) (Fife, 2004; 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). The kinds of fatty acid composition are presented in Table 1. The fat content of coconut oil can be considered to bring about false impression that it is bad for the health due to the word fat itself. On the other hand, the main compositions of coconut oil which are medium chain triglycerides are different from the saturated fat that can harm a person upon high intake. On the contrary, the components of coconut oil with the unique saturated fat composition had been proven for its positive effects (Fife, 2004). Based on different studies and researches coconut oil can be used for both the nutritional and health benefits. For that matter it had been described as â€Å"nutraceutical† due to the capability to cure ailments and help in the nourishment of the body (Holzapfel and

Food and Society Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Food and Society - Coursework Example Issues falling under this heading involve such things as health and safety, food labeling and even what constitutes 'organic' food (Drake University, 2012). Food policy has many benefits, all of which are multiplied when the policies themselves are especially effective. Such systems spark changes in dietary energy and nutritional balance, in effect helping to promote child growth, while staving off all manner of diseases. Apart from this, having a good policy also helps to increase a country's income through agricultural development, which also works recursively by improving the nutritional status of people - a phenomenon most readily observable in developing countries. The need for food policy, on the other hand, should be readily obvious. Atkins and Bowler (2001) note the instrumentality of food in economic, political and socio-cultural issues, as well as its role in ensuring health and pleasure in everyday life. Lang and Heaseman (2004) add to this, talking of the significant impa ct of the emergence of global markets not only on the kind of food being consumed, but also on issues such as health, food security, social justice and overall quality of life. In fact, food policy has been globally acknowledged as an important facet of public policy (Cardwell, 2004; Conway, 1997; Coleman et al, 2004). Needless to say, while food policy is not quite as thrust into the limelight as other global issues such as terrorism, its far-reaching implications and consequences make it equally important, if not even more so. One especially important food policy issue in this day and age is malnutrition. Contrary to popular belief, however, malnutrition does not always refer to a lack of food, but may also come about as the result of eating too much of the wrong kinds of food, and too little of the right kinds. This means that while those who eat too little are most likely malnourished, it will not necessarily follow that one who eats a lot can automatically be assumed to be heal thy - on the contrary, one who falls under the latter description could very well be classified as obese. This paper, then, shall aim to connect the issue of obesity and, to a lesser extent, malnutrition to the hospitality industry, and to come up with ways in which it can be addressed. Malnutrition and Obesity: A Food Policy Issue Malnutrition in general is said to result from a poorly balanced diet, wherein one's consumption of nutrients is skewed in some way, shape or form (Sullivan and Sheffrin, 2003). A report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009 told of more than a billion people dying of hunger, with 17,000 children specifically dying everyday (CNN, 2009). In fact, it has been attested that malnutrition kills upwards of 9.5 million school-aged children each year. Such a high body count becomes even more understandable - and more terrifying - when one accounts for the interaction between malnutrition and certain killer diseases. Malaria, for instance, is already known t o claim many lives on its own; combined with malnutrition, however, it becomes capable of racking up a mortality rate comparable to that of the infamous Black Plague. Malnutrition usually, but not always, refers to a lack of food intake; however, as Pinstrup-Andersen and Watson (2011) point out, malnutrition can easily be about taking in way too much food, or even not taking the