10 Scientific Facts About Coconut Oil + 25 Everyday Uses
Coconut oil is a special oil. Unfortunately, it was once thought to be bad for the heart due to its high fat content.
Its special fatty acid composition helps with brain function, preventing certain diseases, losing weight, etc. Fortunately, health products are becoming more and more popular, and even grocery stores are starting to sell organic products, many of which are unrefined.
Benefits of coconut oil
1. Coconut oil helps burn fat by increasing energy output
It’s no secret that obesity is one of the world’s biggest problems. Although coconut oil contains fat, it is not the same fat as butter.
It contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which the body works with differently, and replacing your existing fat with it will help you lose weight.
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil increase energy expenditure compared to the same calories from saturated fat. One study found that 15-30 grams of MCT per day increased 24-hour energy expenditure by 5%, amounting to approximately 130 calories per day.
So by consuming coconut oil, the body burns more calories!
2. The special fatty acids and saturated fats in coconut oil will make you healthy
Saturated fats have long been mistakenly thought to be foods that cause artery clogging and heart disease. Although this myth has not been proven, it began in 1977 and has become the basis of nutritional advice.
But research now shows that saturated fat is associated with stronger bones, better liver health, and better brain function. New data shows that saturated fat is not harmful. Multiple large studies involving hundreds of thousands of people have proven that the concept of “clogging arteries” is a complete myth.
Bottom Line: You don’t have to worry about consuming coconut oil and other fatty foods. This food allegedly blamed for causing glucose and insulin problems.
3. People who eat a lot of coconut are the healthiest people in the world.
In most Western cultures, coconut is considered a foreign concept; But some communities have been consuming rich coconuts for years.
Not only do these cultures consume over 50% of coconuts, they are also considered among the healthiest people in the world. They have no diseases known to the Western world and are in good health. These people became prosperous by eating lots of coconuts.
Scientific Note: The best example of this people are the Tokelauans of the South Pacific. They get over 60% of their calories from coconuts and are the largest consumers of saturated fat. They have no evidence of heart disease.
4. Coconut oil will reduce your hunger and help you eat less.
Are you thinking of detoxing but find yourself hungry? Another incredible thing about coconut oil is that it helps prevent hunger pangs.
Medium-chain triglycerides appear to have other effects on the body, making those who consume them feel less hungry. This helps people eat less and lose weight naturally in a healthy and sustainable way.
In one study, healthy men consumed more medium- and long-chain triglycerides. Men who consume MCT generally consume an average of 256 fewer calories per day.
Another study in 14 healthy men found that those who ate more MCTs at breakfast ate fewer calories at lunch.
5. Coconut oil can help prevent infections by inhibiting bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Are you tired of getting sick? Coconut oil contains plenty of lauric acid in its fatty acids. When consumed and digested, lauric acid passes into the body system, helping the body fight against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
For these reasons, it is a good idea to drink coconut oil when you are sick or have an infection. Lauric acid can kill harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It has been shown to kill Staphylococcus aureus, a very dangerous bacteria, and Candida albicans, one of the most common yeast infections in humans.
6. Coconut oil helps improve blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease
As mentioned above, coconut oil contains saturated fat. Eating this saturated fat may increase good cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Since these diseases are very common in the world, we can say that we should all consume more coconut oil.
Fact Sheet: Saturated fat increases HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. In a study in 40 women, coconut oil increased HDL while reducing total and LDL cholesterol compared to soybean oil.
There are also rat studies showing that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL, and improves clotting factors and antioxidant properties.
7. Coconut oil improves skin and hair quality.
Coconut oil has many benefits listed at the end of this article, but the 2 most effective uses are to improve skin and hair quality.
Coconut oil does not need to be consumed to reap all its benefits, making it one of the world’s most versatile foods.
Studies on people with dry skin show that coconut oil may improve skin moisture and lipid content.
Coconut oil may prevent hair damage, and one study found that it can be used as a sunscreen by blocking up to 20% of the sun’s UV rays.
Another application is to use it as a mouthwash during the process called oil pulling, which can kill bad bacteria in the mouth, improve dental hygiene and reduce bad breath.
8. Coconut oil may reduce seizures from ketones it produces.
If you have epilepsy or know someone who has epilepsy, this information may be helpful. The ketogenic diet (low carb and high fat) is well known for its benefits in treating epilepsy. This is because the diet allows the body to burn ketones instead of carbohydrates for energy. Due to the fatty acid content of coconut oil, the body can produce more ketones to help prevent seizures.
MCT oil is transported to the liver and converted into ketone bodies. They are often used to induce ketosis in people with epilepsy by releasing more carbohydrates into the diet.
9. Coconut oil may improve brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects the elderly worldwide.
Patients can reduce sugar in some parts of the brain. Basically, the energy produced by food does not reach the brain. It has been proven that Ketone bodies can provide other energy (not glucose) by stimulating the brain and reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
In a 2006 study, the use of MCTs immediately improved brain function in patients with mild Alzheimer’s. Other studies support these findings, and MCTs are being further investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Help reduce the most dangerous fat in the body
Fat around the stomach is the most dangerous type of fat because it is stored in the abdominal cavity and around many major organs. Such fats are associated with many diseases and premature death.
It can help you reduce these fats, thus reducing the chances of these diseases. This is another good reason to include coconut oil in your weight loss plan.
In a study of 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing with 30 ml (1 ounce) of coconut oil per day reduced BMI and waist circumference within a 12 week period. Another study in 20 obese men reported that consuming 1 ounce (30 ml) of coconut oil per day for 4 weeks reduced waist circumference by 1.1 inches (2.86 cm).
It’s clear that including coconut oil in your diet can have a huge impact on your health, but this wonder food has other uses as well.
Top 25 Everyday Uses for Coconut Oil
- Coffee Creamer – Use a small amount of coconut oil instead of high-calorie sources like milk and sugar. Make sure the coffee is hot enough to melt the oil.
- Conditioner – Use occasionally to condition hair to help prevent and repair breakage. For best results, leave it on for 5 minutes to an hour, then rinse with shampoo. Then treat with regular conditioner.
- Skin Moisturizer – As we mentioned before, coconut oil is a great moisturizer. Coconut oil refreshes, restores and heals skin allowing moisture to penetrate.
- Cures Cold – Helps prevent cold sores from accumulating and spreading further. Although it does not cure herpes, you should use it 2-3 times a day for best results.
- Makeup Remover – Makeup remover can be irritating and contains toxins that should be avoided. Put some on your fingertips and rub it around. Then rinse with water and pat your face dry to remove any traces of makeup.
- Massage Oil – Coconut oil is a better solution than using thick lotions that contain chemicals. Its sweet scent also relaxes the body and gives great experience.
- Nails and Cuticle Care – Over time, cuticles and nails wear down. It soothes cuticles and nails to remove blemishes and promote healthy growth.
- Diaper Cream – Does your baby have diaper rash? Lauric acid’s antibacterial and antifungal properties make it a great alternative to grocery stores diaper creams. Use this like other creams.
- Shaving Cream – Shaving cream can be a pain when it runs down the shower or sink, but water doesn’t wash away oil, so it’s a great solution for your legs, face, or anywhere else you want to shave. It’s also a natural moisturizer that leaves skin feeling soft.
- Soothing Rashes – Since coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used in these areas to reduce swelling and soften the skin.
- Popcorn Toppings – Make or heat homemade popcorn in coconut oil and drizzle over popcorn after popping. This is a delicious and light way to add coconut oil to your diet.
- Eye Bags – Coconut oil can also help you get rid of dark circles under your eyes in the morning. Apply a small amount under your eyes the night before to reduce puffiness and bags in the morning.
- Wood Polish – Most wood polishes contain synthetic chemicals that cause short-term wear. Coconut oil penetrates into the wood, making it beautiful for longer.
- Mouth / Tooth Extraction – Over time, bacteria can accumulate in the mouth and cause bad breath and plaque formation. A good solution is to use coconut oil to kill it. Put some coconut oil and swish it in your mouth for 5-10 minutes. This will give you fresh breath and eliminate bacteria in your mouth.
- Prevent Stretch Marks – If you’re building muscle or are pregnant, this is a great way to prevent stretch marks. To help prevent stretch marks, simply apply it to sensitive areas of your skin that tend to stretch.
- Give your dog a healthy shine – Give your dog 1-2 teaspoons a day to help with maintenance.
- Fights Acne – Although it does not prevent acne, it can be applied to blemishes to help prevent acne overgrowth. Simply use a small amount in and around the problem area to achieve the anti-inflammatory effect.
- Remove Soap Scum – While most oils are acidic, soap is alkaline. Apply a thin layer of oil to the soap scum, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then wipe it off.
- Gum removal – chewing gum can be difficult to remove from carpets, but coconut oil can help. Just apply it to the area, let it sit for 2-5 minutes, then wipe it off with a cloth.
- SPF Lip Balm – As mentioned before, coconut oil has a small amount (20%) of UVA protection. Use a small amount of coconut oil as needed to make your lips more kissable.
- Cream Replacement – Coconut oil is a great sweetener in recipes. Most people start with a 1:1 ratio, or a mixture of 80% coconut oil and 20% water. Experiment and find what works best for you.
- Aromatherapy – Apply coconut oil to your temples and the back of your neck when you are stressed or anxious.
- Sore Throat Remedy – If you need relief from a sore throat, this is a great solution. All you have to do is add coconut oil to warm water or tea and drink it. It is delicious and provides a good protective coating on your throat, especially when taken before bed.
- Personal Lubricant – Yes, coconut oil does this too. Although it is not latex compatible and cannot be used with condoms, it is one of the best chemical-containing store-bought lubricants.
- Stop Squeaks – Are your door hinges or cabinets squeaking? Apply coconut oil directly to the hinge to prevent squeaking.