Coconut oil isn’t a new health fad—people have been using it for Skin and hair care, cooking, and baking for thousands of years! Despite its popularity in the world of natural beauty and alternative medicine, many people aren’t aware of all the health benefits coconut oil offers. Let’s look at coconut oil's 10 incredible health benefits that you probably didn’t know about.
1. IT HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHT
To encourage weight loss, coconut oil is a great choice. It contains less than half the amount of saturated fat found in most other oils and is also packed with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). MCFAs are burned by the body more easily than other types of fats, so they’re not stored as readily in the body as fat. Not only is coconut oil a healthy fat, but it may also help boost metabolism and stimulate weight loss.
2. IT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO LESSEN THE EFFECTS OF DIABETES
Coconut oil has also been shown to help control blood sugar levels. While this may seem like a rather unimpressive benefit for those who don’t suffer from diabetes, decreasing the effects of diabetes can help you maintain a healthy weight, as well as reduce your risk for other health problems.
3. YOU CAN GET STRONG BONES AND TEETH FROM COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is naturally packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and magnesium. These help to prevent tooth decay, strengthen bones and provide other important health benefits for the body.
4. IT IS HEART HEALTHY
Coconut oil contains a high amount of lauric acid. Lauric acid has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, making it heart-healthy. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps to lower cholesterol levels and increases the level of HDL, the good cholesterol. At the same time, LDL is bad cholesterol. The MCTs in coconut oil are also metabolized differently from other fats by the body, making them an excellent choice for protecting against heart disease.
5. IT IS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
As with many other oils, coconut oil contains a blend of fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory. These fatty acids in coconut oil aid in the reduction of swelling and pain, making it a great choice for arthritis, eczema, and other inflammatory conditions. In fact, studies have shown that people who use coconut oil as part of a diet plan for arthritis experience up to 100% less pain and fatigue than those who follow traditional diets.
6. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Thanks to its high amount of caprylic acid, coconut oil has been shown to help boost the immune system. In fact, it is often used as a food preservative in order to preserve its health benefits, as well as to prolong its shelf life.
7. EASES DIGESTION PROBLEMS
Coconut oil is great for treating digestive issues like constipation and ulcers. It works as a natural laxative, thanks to its ability to increase bile flow, as well as its natural anti-ulcer properties. It also contains healthy fats and minerals, including zinc and magnesium, which can help to prevent bacterial overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract.
8. GOOD FOR THE SKIN
Coconut oil contains loads of vitamin E, an antioxidant that is great for the Skin. It can be used as a lotion or even as a face cleanser, thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties, coconut oil is often used to fight bacterial and fungal infections such as candida, yeast infections, and MRSA.
9. IMPROVES HAIR HEALTH
Coconut oil is great for the hair and the scalp. It acts as a natural conditioner, moisturizer, and even sunscreen for your hair! You can use it alone or in conjunction with other products to help boost volume, add shine and keep your hair healthy.
10. GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, coconut oil can help boost cognitive function in the brain. It has also been shown to help prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, making it a great choice for brain health.
Coconut oil is a great way to naturally improve and maintain your health. It has no artificial colorings or preservatives, making it gentle on your Skin, hair, and bones. It is a healthy fat that is versatile in nature, meaning that you do not have to use it in the same way as oils.