Can You Cook with MCT Oil?

You may have heard about MCT oil and the whispers of it being a superfood. It is a must-have for people on ketogenic diets, who swear it works wonders for them. Here at Tanasi, we also love to use this supplement as a carrier oil for our CBD + CBDa products, maximizing the efficacy of our patent-pending, 1:1 formulation that’s backed by research you can explore here.

Now, when mixed into other products, like Tanasi’s hemp extracts, MCT oil’s taste is barely noticeable. But MCT oil doesn’t taste great on its own. And it’s not so common place in supermarket shelves. So many people wonder, what is this product, and can you cook with MCT oil? If you have these questions, read on, as we will discuss all of this and more in the below guide.

What Is MCT Oil?

Before we can dive into whether or not you can cook with MCT oil, we need to understand what exactly MCT oil is. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. (These are a form of saturated fatty acids. ) You find these fat molecules in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt. Any kind of fats is made up of carbon atom chains, but most of the fats in your diet are composed of 13 to 21 of these atoms. These are typically referred to as long-chain fatty acids. Most dietary sources of fat, such as avocado, fish, and olive oil, comprise these long-chain triglycerides. Then, there are short-chain fats, usually made of 6 or fewer carbon atoms. Finally, since MCTs are medium-chain, their composition lies in the middle, containing between 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

Since MCTs are medium in length, your body doesn’t need to use bile acid or enzymes to digest them, which is not the case with their long-chain counterparts. Therefore, they can deliver more immediate energy. And if they’re not used for energy, they are turned into ketones, which can be used for energy instead of glucose. Ketones are far less reactive in the body than glucose; therefore, an energy boost from MCT oil is steady and does not fluctuate the way glucose does.

There are four types of MCTs, and they include:

• Caproic acid – 6 carbon atoms
• Caprylic acid – 8 carbon atoms
• Capric acid – 10 carbon atoms
• Lauric acid – 12 carbon atoms

Caproic and caprylic acid strains contain fewer carbon atoms, so they take less work for the body to process. During the MCT oil-making process, lauric acid and capric acid are usually removed to make a high-quality product that is more palatable.

Dietary Benefits of MCT Oil

There are ways using MCT oil may be beneficial. These include:

Potential to Aid in Weight Loss

One of the main reasons many people take MCT oil is for its potential weight loss benefits. You can incorporate it into your diet, while still exercising, to achieve your end goal faster. It might help reduce weight in the following ways:

1. MCT oils have a lower calorie content than other fats, such as LCTs. Therefore, you will have a lower calorie intake when taking MCTs as opposed to LCTs.
2. Medium-chain triglycerides are digested and metabolized so quickly that the body uses them immediately as opposed to storing them. LCTs, on the other hand, take longer to digest, so by the time LCTs get to the liver, other energy sources such as sugar and MCTs are already being used to fuel the cells. The body then stores the LCTs as fat. 
3. MCTs also have the potential to increase your satiety; hence you might find yourself eating less food. They could reduce your appetite and increase feelings of fullness.

It Is a Source of Energy

MCT oil could give an instant energy boost to the body. When consumed, MCT oil raises your ketones, which fuel your brain and muscles. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is the primary ketone produced in the ketosis process and is sometimes considered a super fuel. This is because of its ability to provide more energy as compared to glucose. 

Can You Cook With MCT Oil?

The answer to this question is an emphatic yes! However, it is crucial to note that you should not expose MCT oil to temperatures above 320 degrees Fahrenheit due to its low smoking point. 

Below are some of the reasons why people may choose to cook with MCT Oil.

It Is Flavorless

MCT oil is flavorless, which makes it the perfect oil to use while cooking. After all, it can work well with any dish, without adding its flavor to the completed meal.

No Melting Will Be Required

Luckily for lazy chefs, MCT oil does not turn into a solid at room temperature, as some other oils do. You, therefore, do not need to waste time melting it while cooking.

It Combines Well With Other Supplements

MCT oil can easily combine with other supplements, such as CBD, whey protein and collagen peptides. This may allow you to mix things up in your supplement routine.

Cooking With MCT Oil

When cooking with MCT oil, it is crucial to note that you should use only low to medium temperatures. It has a lower smoking point than coconut oil, which is 320°F. Coconut has a smoking point of 35