Here in the UK, Spring is just around the corner, which means salads are back on the menu. If you live in warmer parts of Europe or in the Southern hemisphere, you may already be enjoying an abundance of light and brightly coloured salads, full of vitamins and minerals. In Spring, greens such as nettle, dandelion leaves, chicory, spinach and chard are in-season, and their high levels of antioxidants and naturally slightly bitter taste make greens some of the best foods for detoxification.

Despite being one of the best foods for weight loss however, a plate of lettuce isn’t going to help you look and feel healthier any time soon; a salad needs a balance of greens, protein, whole-food carbohydrates and healthy fats to truly fire up your metabolism and help improve your health. This is why MCT oil is the perfect addition to your salad dressing, and why MCT oil is the key to making your salad even better for you.

What is MCT oil?

MCT oil is a supplemental oil made from medium-chain-triglycerides; a type of healthy saturated fat made up of ‘medium’ length molecules of fat, as opposed to the long-chain fatty acids found in oleic or linoleic acid fats, or the short-chain fatty acids, which are produced when fibre-rich and healthy carbohydrate foods are naturally fermented in the gut. Because MCT oil contains medium-chain-triglycerides, these molecules are more easily absorbed by the liver, providing quick and easily digestible energy and fuel for the body.

MCT oil is usually made from coconut palm or coconut kernel oil, and there are several types of MCT oil, including C12, C10 and C8. The Love Life Supplements C8 MCT oil is quicker and easier to digest than C12 or C10 oils, making it one of the cleanest ways to fuel your body without consuming tonnes of sugar. MCT oil is often used in the Keto diet, as it can be converted into ketones, but anyone can benefit from using MCT oil regularly, no matter what type of diet you follow (or don’t follow!)

What are the benefits of MCT oil?

MCT oil is popular amongst many biohackers, as it provides a clean source of energy and fuel with minimal preparation time, as well as being anti-inflammatory. Some of the benefits of MCT oil can include:

• Promotes weight loss
• Increases satiety
• Boosts energy levels
• Improves focus and cognitive function
• Enhances athletic performance
• Improves gut health
• Boosts heart health
• Improves metabolism

How do I use MCT oil?

Most people add MCT oil to their morning coffee for a boost of brain power and energy, as well as preventing jitters and anxiety that plain black coffee can cause. MCT oil is so versatile though, that it can be added to many other recipes, such as smoothies, hot chocolate, energy balls, sautéing vegetables and protein, and of course as a salad dressing.

How much MCT oil to take per day

MCT oil can be consumed daily, with many people enjoying between 1 and 7 tbsp per day in different recipes.

Try our recipes that include MCT oil:

• Upgraded Bulletproof coffee
• Ultimate Collagen Hot Chocolate
• Metabolism-Boosting Collagen Energy Balls

Why MCT oil is a great salad dressing option

The phrase ‘you are what you eat’ isn’t entirely true. The truth is that you are what you can digest and absorb. You can eat the highest quality superfoods on the planet, but if your body can’t extract and digest the nutrients properly, you won’t be getting the benefits. Adding MCT oil to your salad dressing helps you absorb and assimilate the nutrients from your meal better, as many vegetables and greens are fat-soluble. Fat-soluble means these foods – such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, sweet potato and carrots – must be consumed alongside a healthy fat in order for you to absorb the vitamins A, K and E within them. Using MCT oil in a salad dressing also makes your meal a lot more satisfying, preventing after-meal cravings, and is the perfect alternative to shop-bought salad dressings, which often contain preservatives, emulsifiers, sugars, or artificial sweeteners.

So, now you know why MCT oil is the perfect addition to your salad dressing, try the recipe! This salad dressing is Keto-friendly, fat-burning, high in healthy fats, beneficial for hormone health, metabolism-boosting, satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients

(makes roughly 5 servings)

• 1 large avocado
• 6 tbsp Love Life Supplements MCT oil
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• Finely chopped fresh herbs: choose basil / chives / parsley / coriander

Method

• Add all ingredients to a blender
• Blend until smooth – add a little more lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for a thinner consistency if you like
• Use straight away, or keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week

Get your C8 MCT oil here.