Coconut oil is alkaline, and it is the only cooking oil that is not acidic. While most coconut oils are low on the alkaline scale, Skinny Coconut Oil tests at 8.5–8.8 pH, which is high compared to other coconut oils on the market.
It is important to note that the pH of coconut oil is different from the pH of healthy skin, which is around 5. Coconut oil has a pH of 7-8, which makes it essentially 100-1,000 times more alkaline than your skin. Using coconut oil on your skin can disrupt its natural pH level and cause adverse complications such as red, flaky skin.
In terms of diet, almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into the blood. This is how foods are classified to be acid-forming or alkaline-forming. While a diet high in alkaline-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs along with the avoidance of acidic foods like processed sugar and flour, alcohol, and coffee can help to restore a proper internal pH, it is important to maintain balance.
The Alkalinity of Coconut Oil Compared to Other Oils
The pH of cooking oil is not well defined because there is no water in cooking oil, so there is no concentration of H+ and hence no pH. However, coconut oil is alkaline, and it is the only cooking oil that is not acidic. While most coconut oils are low on the alkaline scale, Skinny Coconut Oil tests at 8.5–8.8 pH, which is high compared to other coconut oils on the market.
It is important to note that the pH of coconut oil is different from the pH of healthy skin, which is around 5. Coconut oil has a pH of 7-8, which makes it essentially 100-1,000 times more alkaline than your skin [https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/servlets/purl/491910]. Using coconut oil on your skin can disrupt its natural pH level and cause adverse complications such as red, flaky skin.
In terms of diet, almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into the blood. This is how foods are classified to be acid-forming or alkaline-forming. While a diet high in alkaline-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs along with the avoidance of acidic foods like processed sugar and flour, alcohol, and coffee can help to restore a proper internal pH, it is important to maintain balance.
pH Range of Common Oils Used in Cooking or Skincare
The pH of cooking oil is not well defined because there is no water in cooking oil, so there is no concentration of H+ and hence no pH. However, here are the pH ranges of some common oils used in skincare:
- Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil offers a quality that’s not always prevalent in natural ingredients: its pH balance is slightly acidic.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is a weak acid, and its acidity is used to measure its quality, giving a clear indication of the health of the tree and its fruit. Virgin olive oils’ acidity ranges between 0.8% to 2%.
- Argan oil: The acidity of argan oil is classified into four grades: extra-virgin (acidity < 0.8 g/100 g), fine-virgin (0.8 < Acidity < 1.5 g/100 g), ordinary virgin (1.5 < Acidity < 3.3 g/100 g), and lampante (a low-quality oil that is not edible) (Acidity > 3.3 g/100 g).
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil has a 7.5 pH level, once digested.
- Sunflower oil: Sunflower oil is neutral, with a pH level of 7.0 once digested.
It is important to note that the pH of cooking oil is not well defined because there is no water in cooking oil, so there is no concentration of H+ and hence no pH.
Conclusion
In conclusion, coconut oil is alkaline, but it is not recommended to use it on your skin due to its high pH level. Maintaining a balanced diet that includes alkaline-rich foods can help restore a proper internal pH.
Citations:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15724344/
- https://www.clemson.edu/extension/food/food2market/documents/ph_of_common_foods.pdf
