Coconut oil to most people is considered a condiment or ingredient in cooking but this ‘condiment’ is way more than just that.
It has received a lot of attention in recent years because of its perceived nutritional value and health benefits. Some of the many natural products we use today include coconut oil which has various uses, including health.
Coconut oil is derived from the kernel of coconuts and its usage can be traced to the 18th century. Coconut oil is something I truly consider a wonder! Besides the fact that it is delicious to add to our food preparations, we also enjoy the health benefits that come with using it.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Here are five cool ways coconut oil can help your body stay healthy.
1. Improves Heart Health
Coconut oil is classified under the fats and oils food group. These types of fats found in coconut oil are beneficial to the heart. It has been shown that it can reduce the density of LDL cholesterol and increase the density of HDL cholesterol in the body.
Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil is very beneficial for the heart since it has MCTs. These fats can improve the levels of what is referred to as good cholesterol known as the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in your body thus improving your chances of fighting heart disease.
Coconut oil may also be incorporated into your cooking instead of unhealthy fats that are commonly found in other spreads such as butter or vegetable oils.
2. Weight Loss
Weight loss is another benefit of coconut oil. It contains a certain kind of fat that can increase the metabolic rate of your body, thus allowing it to burn calories faster. Also, if administered before a meal, it may leave you feeling satiated, therefore causing you to eat less.
Some clinical findings have attributed weight loss to the MCTs found in coconut oil. These fats may also have other positive impacts on metabolism like increasing calorie expenditure and suppressing the feeling of hunger, thus leading to easy weight loss and maintenance.
This research indicates that if used in moderation as an ingredient in recipes or as a cooking oil, coconut oil may help to support weight loss.
3. Antibacterial And Anti-inflammatory Properties
Coconut oil is rich in various types of unsaturated fats that help prevent bacterial infections and inflammation. Especially virgin coconut oil, applied to wounds, cuts, or skin inflammation may equally assist in warding off infections as well as aid healing.
Also, coconut oil taken with consistency for oil pulling, which is taking oil in the mouth and moving it around can be beneficial in killing bad bacteria in the mouth and thus be keenly useful in handling issues to do with oral health.
Many people use coconut oil on their skin, you literally have a skin superhero in coconut oil! It can provide good moisturising for the skin and would be just as useful in dealing with skin problems such as eczema. It is mild and can be applied on tender skin.
It can also be used for hair care as a hair conditioner, that is, as part of the hair conditioning process.
Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, and when it is taken internally, it can assist in the colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract by good bacteria which helps eliminate toxic substances and other antigens in the body. Taking coconut oil in moderation is also known to have a positive impact on health matters concerning the digestive system by reducing gases, bloating and even constipation hence enhancing digestion.
4. Boosts The Immune System
Lauric acid is present in coconut oil, this is an antimicrobial agent that works on effecting the elimination of bacteria and viruses in the body. The addition of coconut oil to your diet can help improve your immune system.
It is also noted that consumption of Lauric acid may aid in boosting the immune system through the extermination of pathogens which include bacteria and viral infections.
It is also associated with the instant energy boost that it provides due to the coconut oil. It means that the MCTs spared in the coconut oil can be metabolised and utilised in energy production in the body than other fats. Consuming coconut oil, maybe when preparing your oatmeal or as part of a morning smoothie serves as a fast energy-boosting meal.
Inflammation of the body tissues is often considered to be a chronic condition that is connected to diseases such as arthritis and heart disease. Due to the antioxidant properties identified in coconut oil, it may have an impact on inflammation and oxidative stress, which could decrease the chances of getting inflammatory diseases.
So these are some pretty beneficial reasons to incorporate coconut oil into your diet to reduce inflammation and boost well-being.
5. Brain Health
Some studies have suggested that a component found in coconut oil called Ketone, can potentially affect Alzheimer’s disease. It is reported that they may enhance cognitive abilities.
It totally seems to be some suggestions which make me believe that the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil could heave away the brain. These fats are metabolised into ketones, which could possibly be an alternative fuel source for the CPU and enhance further brain function.
Coconut oil is famous for having a scent that creates inner and outer relaxation or an overall calming influence. Application on the skin or using it to prepare a fragrant oil for massage can prove a good way to help ease stress and induce slumber.
Coconut oil can be used as a natural relaxant since it does not only effectively calm down an individual but it also has this distinct aroma that helps you relax.
Conclusion
Coconut oil has the natural benefit of an SPF or sun protection factor, which will offer a certain degree of protection to the skin. You can reap the benefits of the protective properties of coconut oil and also protect your skin from sunburn to a certain extent without using conventional sunscreen products. The outcome of incorporating coconut oil into your beauty regimen is the enhancement of the skin’s protection against UV rays, and therefore, minimising dry skin.
Other than the fact that this oil is delicious, it’s also a perfect addition to an ideal health plan! Using just a limited amount of coconut oil daily can greatly improve your health, both internally and externally. The potential benefits that may be derived from the inclusion of this vegetable oil in the diet and your beauty regimen in small amounts, certainly seem worthwhile.
However, as any reader would understand, people may react differently to this natural food ingredient, so it is wise to seek the advice of a healthcare provider when planning comprehensive changes in your daily diet.
In Summary
It is noteworthy that the consumption of coconut oil has numerous positive effects on various aspects of a person’s life, when you include this natural ingredient into your diet and cosmetics.
It can also help to support the strengthening of the heart muscles, maintain your body’s proper weight, and enhance the function of the brain, skin, hair, and immune system. However, you must incorporate it into your diet in the right portion to enjoy the benefits of coconut oil.
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