What are the benefits of coconut oil?

Coconut oil has numerous health benefits. It contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily digested and provide a quick source of energy. Some benefits of coconut oil include promoting heart health, boosting immune function, supporting weight loss, improving skin and hair health, and providing antimicrobial properties.

How does coconut oil promote heart health?

Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, but its unique composition of MCTs may have a positive impact on heart health. MCTs are metabolized differently in the body compared to other fats, and they may help increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, thus promoting a healthy heart.

Can coconut oil help with weight loss?

Coconut oil contains MCTs, which can increase feelings of fullness and boost calorie burning. Including coconut oil in a balanced diet and using it as a replacement for other fats may support weight loss efforts. However, it's important to consume coconut oil in moderation as it is still high in calories.

How can coconut oil benefit the skin and hair?

Coconut oil is commonly used in skincare and hair care products due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. It can help hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, protect against damage, and improve hair strength and shine. Coconut oil can be used topically or incorporated into homemade beauty treatments.

Is coconut oil safe for consumption?

Coconut oil is generally safe for consumption when used in moderation. However, it is high in saturated fats, so individuals with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, should consume it in moderation and consider the overall fat content of their diet. As with any dietary change, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional.

How should I incorporate coconut oil into my diet?

Coconut oil can be used in cooking, baking, and as a substitute for other fats. It has a distinct flavor, so it may work better in certain recipes or cuisines. Start by using small amounts and gradually increase as desired. It's important to consider the overall balance of your diet and not rely solely on coconut oil for all your fat intake.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Last updated on August 11th, 2023 at 08:27 pm

Often referred to as the “tree of life,” the coconut tree is considered one of the most valuable trees in the world. Aside from the numerous health benefits derived from its fruit, the coconut tree can also be used for fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine, and building materials, among many other uses. Today, we will focus specifically on the benefits of coconut oil.

Coconut oil is most widely known for its use in cooking. This plant-based oil comes from the nut (fruit) of the coconut palm, which is extracted by cold pressing the coconut flesh. This fat has a melting point of 25 °C and is reasonably stable to oxidation when exposed to the air.

A mechanical method of pressing out the oil is typically used without any outside heat source. The high pressure needed to press out the oil generates some heat naturally, but the temperature is controlled so that it does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore, it is usually stored at room temperature. The oil is also highly resistant to oxidation at high heat, which makes it suitable for high-heat cooking methods like frying.

Coconut oil has been a hot topic for quite some time due to its many claimed health benefits. Nutritionally speaking, it has very high levels of saturated fats, which are generally considered not as good for your health. But new research suggests that saturated fats are not as unhealthy as previously believed.

It has many health benefits, including claims of reducing extra belly fat, suppressing appetite, boosting the immune response, preventing heart disease, helping avoid dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases, and treating eczema and itchy skin (psoriasis). It can also be used as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent, but studies on these claims are still ongoing and unclear.

Some Benefits of Coconut Oil:

1. Aids in Weight Loss

There have been many reports of coconut oil being promoted for weight loss. However, studies show mixed results. It’s important to note that solely adding coconut oil to your diet is not enough to lose weight. The best way to achieve any weight loss goals is a combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

Coconut oil is a good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and is generally considered beneficial to human health. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are metabolized differently compared to long-chain triglycerides.

Triglyceride is simply the technical term for fat. Triglycerides have two primary purposes. They’re either burned for energy or stored as body fat. These medium-chain triglycerides contain fatty acids and can encourage your body to burn fat. They can also provide a quick energy source for your body and brain and are less likely to be stored as fat.

A study also shows that MCTs resulted in more significant increases in peptides and leptin, hormones that help reduce appetite and increase the feeling of fullness. However, MCTs can also be stored as body fat if excess amounts are consumed.

2. Promotes Good Cholesterol

We often hear about the differences between good and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol is technically known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), while bad cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein (LDL). High high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels can boost your body’s cardiovascular health.

MCTs rich in coconut oil have been linked to boosting good cholesterol and decreasing bad cholesterol in the body. Improvements in cholesterol levels will lead to better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of heart disease.

Still, studies focused on the impact of coconut oil on cardiovascular health are ongoing, and there is no conclusive evidence.

3. Controls Blood Sugar

Recent studies suggest that coconut oil has a positive impact on controlling blood sugar. A study conducted on nine healthy men showed that consuming coconut oil for eight weeks improved their body’s ability to use insulin to transport blood glucose to cells.

Investing in a healthy lifestyle, including eating more whole foods, avoiding sweets and processed foods, and exercising regularly, is still the best way to maintain healthy blood sugar. MCTs in coconut oil may help lower blood sugar levels, which could benefit those with type 2 diabetes. However, further study is needed to support this claim.

4. Improved Brain Function

Coconut oil has large amounts of MCTs, which are broken down into ketones that can be used by brain cells for fuel, especially by those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is characterized by the brain’s reduced ability to use glucose for energy, and researchers have suggested that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for the brain. Further study is required to support these claims.

5. Healthy Skin and Shiny Hair

Coconut oil also has a wide variety of cosmetic benefits. It can be applied to your skin as a moisturizer and reduce eczema symptoms. It can also be applied directly to your hair to protect it from damage. Surprisingly, this oil can block about 20% of UV rays.

6. Antimicrobial Factors

Lauric acid makes up about 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. When lauric acid is digested in the body, it forms a substance called monolaurin. Both monolaurin and lauric acid can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Nevertheless, these claims are still unclear, and more research is needed.

These are just some of the claimed benefits of using coconut oil orally or simply topically. All of these claims still need further research, but it does not seem to harm the body when consumed in moderation.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, these are the nutrition facts for a one-tablespoon serving of coconut oil.

Calories 121
Protein 0 g
Fats 13.5 g
Saturated fat 12.2 g
Carbohydrate 0 g
Fiber 0 g
Sugar 0 g

With so many different purported benefits of coconut oil, it is worth a try! Note that the coconut oil you buy is not all the same. Ideally, look for organic, cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil in a glass jar. This will allow you to retain all the helpful enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids that coconut oil provides while avoiding potentially damaging chemicals.

Rick Kaselj

Rick Kaselj MS, is a leading kinesiologist and injury specialist as well as co-creator of the best-selling Unlock Your Hip Flexors program. Rick creates exercise programs that help people heal injuries and eliminate pain, so they can go back to living a full, active, healthy life.