10 Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is widely marketed as a superfood that is becoming increasingly more popular. This versatile oil is great for everyday uses, it can make your hair healthy, skin sensational, cure indigestion, heal wounds and infections and is a healthier choice for culinary cooking. The unique combination of fatty acids in coconut oil provides numerous health benefits, especially in weight loss and heart health. So let’s look at 10 evidence-based health benefits of coconut oil. 

Weight Loss 

Coconut oil contains short and medium chain fatty acids and these fatty acids help in taking off excessive weight. Since it is easy to digest, it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. It also helps to burn more energy by increasing the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas. 

Reduces the Effect of Diabetes

The healthy fat in coconut oil plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar. This is done by slowing the digesting process and ensuring a steady, even stream of energy from food by lowering the overall glycemic index of a meal. For example, if you include coconut oil in your dinner with potatoes, the carbs in the potatoes are broken down into glucose more slowly, thereby keeping your blood sugar levels steady after you eat. 

May have Antimicrobial Effects 

Lauric acid makes up roughly 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil.  Once our bodies digest lauric acid, it forms a substance called monolaurin. The combination of lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens, such as bacteria viruses and fungi. 

It is Heart Healthy

You may think I am crazy for saying that seeing as coconut oil is high in saturated fats but it is actually beneficial to your heart. As mentioned above, the high levels of lauric acid also help to prevent various heart conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Crazily enough, coconut oil also reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries. 

May get Strong Bones and Teeth 

Coconut oil improves magnesium and calcium absorption in the body. Therefore it is beneficial for dental and bone health. You can say bye-bye to cavities. 

Eases Digestion 

As we have mentioned, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, which has a soothing effect on bacteria, candida or parasites that cause poor digestion and conditions like indigestion, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. If this can reduce my bloating… ill take 10 jars, please. 

Good for your Brain

The primary type of fat found within coconut oil is medium chain triglycerides, which have been found to boost cognitive performance, and stall neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages. 

Good for Your Skin 

Coconut oil can reduce the aging process in your skin and is also a wonderful moisturizer that is free of toxins and pesticides. Coconut oil strengthens the connective tissues, which prevents wrinkles and sagging of the skin. 

Helps Reduce Sugar Cravings 

This sounds odd but increased consumption of fat can actually help you reduce your sugar cravings while improving your overall health and wellbeing. The saturated fats found in coconut oil also provide sustenance for your body and brain, as mentioned above, which can also assist in naturally reducing your cravings for sugar. Talk about a win! 

Good for Your Hair 

Coconut oil nourishes your hair whilst also keeping it vibrant and healthy. Coconut oil can also help make your hair appear thicker by adding body. Its antibacterial properties also protect the scalp against infections that cause itching, dandruff and weak or dry hair. Another plus, coconut oil has Vitamins E and K, which nourish your hair and boost it’s health and shine. 

With all of these amazing health benefits, we recommend switching to coconut oil as soon as possible, we have!