Last Updated on August 31, 2021 by Femniqe
Coconut oil is one of the best foods ever!
There are more than 1500 studies to back this fact and the benefits of coconut oil are far reaching, even more so than most of us are aware.
With the growing body of researchers on coconut oil, it has become even more popular as more people become aware of its goodness.
In many homes you can find coconut oil gracing nightstands, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, and even on the lips of the homeowners.
It is being added to smoothies, used as a moisturizer, a lip-gloss, a hair moisturizer and of course, being used to cook.
Don’t think that it is just a marketing spin, the researches on coconut oil promises that it will improve your life (mind, body and soul).
1. Coconut Oil Can Help You Burn More Fat
One of the major health problems in the world, right at this moment and trending is obesity.
There are some people who think the issue of obesity is simply a matter of calories alone, but the sources you get these calories from are just as important.
It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways and so incidentally, a calorie is not just a calorie.
The MCTs in coconut oil can increase the amount of calories your body burns in comparison to the same amount of other fats.
One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased the 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, amounting to roughly 120 calories per day.
The point, is medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil has been proven to increase calories burned over 24 hours by as much as 5%, potentially leading to major weight loss overtime.
2. It is Great For Your Skin And Hair
In studies done on persons with dry skin, coconut oil was found to improve lipid content and moisture in the skin.
For persons with dry hair or dandruff, coconut oil is loaded with fatty acids that can improve these conditions.
Another study showed that coconut oil blocks out roughly 20% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays so it’s also an effective sunscreen.
3. It Improves Digestion
Coconut oil helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins, calcium and magnesium.
If you take omega 3 fatty acids at the same time that you take the coconut oil, then the effects will double.
Coconut oil is also effective at improving bacteria and gut health by destroying candida and bad bacteria.
An imbalance in candida can decrease acid in the stomach which leads to poor digestion and inflammation.
4. It’s Good For Oral Health
Have you ever heard the term oil pulling? No?
Well…
This is the method used for cleaning the mouth before the invention of toothpaste.
It’s basically just swishing the oil around in the mouth which helps to get rid of bacteria and heal gum diseases.
Due to the high volume of MCTs in coconut oil, it is one of the most effective oils to use for this purpose.
The oil simply lifts the oral bacteria off the surface inside the mouth therefore greatly reducing the risk of periodontal disease.
It is recommended that to protect your mouth and its precious contents, you should do oil pulling 3-4 times a week for 15-20 minutes a day.
5. Coconut Oil Kills Harmful Microorganisms and Boost Immune System (antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral)
Many diseases today are caused by the overgrowth of funguses, bad bacteria, viruses and parasites in the body.
In coconut oil nearly 50% its fatty acids is the 12-carbon lauric acid and when digested it forms a new substance called monolaurin.
Lauric and monolaurin can both kill harmful pathogens such as fungi and bacteria, and create a hostile environment for viruses.
They have been shown to destroy the very dangerous pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus as well as the yeast called Candida Albicans which is a common cause of yeast infections in humans.
When you are sick, you can replace the sugar in your diet with coconut oil as your natural fuel source since sugar feeds the growth of bad bacteria in.
Instead, have 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 3 times daily when you are sick and make sure to consume plenty of vegetables and/or broth as well.
Coconut oil has fatty acids and other breakdown products that can destroy harmful pathogens likely helping to prevent infections in humans.
6. Coconut Oil Curbs Appetite, Helping You Eat Less
Another interesting thing about coconut oil is its ability to reduce your hunger.
This could be a result of the way the fatty acids found in it are metabolized, since ketones are known to have an appetite suppressing effect.
One study in which different amounts of long and medium chain triglycerides were fed to six healthy men, found that the men who ate the most MCTs on an average ate 256 less calories daily.
In another study with 14 healthy men, it was discovered that the ones who ate the most MCTs at breakfast consumed fewer calories at lunchtime.
While these studies were done for a short period of time on a small group, if the results were to persist long term then it could show some dramatic effects on body weight and body composition over a few years.
The bottom line: Coconut oil has fatty acids that can drastically reduce appetite therefore, positively affecting your body weight ultimately.
7. It Can Prevent Insulin Resistance
The term insulin resistance refers to the failure of the body’s cells to respond normally to the hormone insulin and so the body is unable to absorb glucose for energy.
The pancreas has to work overtime producing more insulin thus creating a cycle of overproduction which then leads to the body developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news is the MCTs in the coconut oil help to balance insulin reactions in the cells because of the ketones that our bodies produce when we ingest it.
The ketones cause less strain to be placed on the pancreas by way of supplying the body with a consistent energy source that’s not dependent on its glucose reaction.
8. Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Fat, Especially The Harmful Abdominal Fat
Since coconut oil can increase fat burning and reduce appetite, then it is conclusive that it can help you lose weight as well.
Coconut oil seems to be particularly effective at reducing visceral fat, that is, fat stored in the abdominal cavity and around your organs.
Visceral fat is the most dangerous of all fats and is generally associated with numerous chronic diseases.
Check out: Best Way To Use Coconut Oil For Weight Loss (2016 Guide)
9. Improves Memory and Brain Function
A study published in the Neurobiology of Aging, 2004, found that the MCFAs in coconut oil improved memory problems in their older subjects.
After taking this fatty acid, all the patients showed marked improvement in their ability to recall things. Since the MCFAs are easily absorbed in the body and can be accessed in the brain without the use of insulin, they are capable of fueling the brain cells more efficiently.
10. Improves Skin Issues (eczema, burns, psoriasis, dermatitis and dandruff)
The beauty of coconut oil is that it not only can be used as a moisturizer, a sunscreen and a facial cleanser, but it also can treat a variety of skin disorders.
The fatty acids Lauric and Caprylic, found in coconut oil can reduce internal and external inflammation and moisturize the skin, therefore making it a great solution for all types of different skin conditions.
Coconut oil has many antioxidants that make it ideal for healing and protecting the skin.
Additionally, its antimicrobial properties even out the fungal sources that causes skin conditions.
11. Coconut Oil Can Improve Blood Cholesterol Levels
Healthy saturated fats can be found in coconut oil and may actually increase the “good” HDL cholesterol but also aids in converting the “bad” LDL cholesterol into a form less harmful in your body.
Coconut oil may also protect against heart disease by improving other risk factors in your body.
One study done with rats showed that coconut oil has the ability to decrease the total and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, increase HDL and antioxidant status along with improving blood coagulation factors.
These studies in both rats and humans showed that coconut oil can reduce the risk of heart disease by improving important risk factors such as Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol.
12. It helps with Losing Body Fat and Building Muscle
MCFAs are not only good for burning fat in the body; they are perfect for muscle building as well.
The MCFAs that are found in coconut are used in well known muscle building products such as Muscle Milk™.
However, majority of the mass produced supplements tend to use the processed forms of MCFAs.
When you eat the actual coconut, though, you get the best version of MCFAs.
It’s recommended to add it to your daily muscle building shake 2-3 tbsp of coconut oil.
13. Coconut Oil for Anti-aging
A research that was published in the Medical Journal Food and Function states that coconut oil can slow aging and improve antioxidant levels.
It does this by lowering oxidative stress and by reducing stress on the liver.
They also found that coconut oil might support detoxification due to how it works with the liver.
It is suggested that to slow aging naturally, you should consume 1 tbsp of coconut oil with berries (they are rich in antioxidants) for breakfast or just apply it directly to your skin as your moisturizer.
You can even add it to your coffee for a tasty pick-me-up.
Should I Get A Bottle?
Why not? Just make sure that you use it in moderation. Lastly If you want to get all the maximum benefits of coconut oil then get the pure organic and cold-pressed version.