Benefits of Coconut Oil: Science-Backed Reasons You Need to Try ASAP
We have all used coconut oil in some form or the other. This is a substance that has many aspects to its usage. Each part of its application is fascinating.
This is one of those products that the elderly or boomer generation use regularly and urge others as well to do so.
Coconut oil is touted as a hundred percent natural and extremely effective in its remedial effects.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at the most important benefits of coconut oil. We will also discuss some of the research into it. Let’s get started.
Coconut oil contains healthy fatty acids
Coconut oil contains healthy fatty acids. These fatty acids are effective in reducing the excess weight of the body.
They also have other benefits such as raising the good cholesterol of the body, the HDLs. Coconut oil also contains Ketones which are good for the brain and its neurons.
Benefits also include the component of MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides. The MCTs help in providing short energy bursts to the body as they affect the liver directly.
Coconut oil can improve heart health
Coconut oil can be used to improve heart health. People in the west consume less coconut oil. Those who do are considered to be health-conscious and for good reason.
Research done in 1981 with the population of Tokelau, where the people obtained 60 percent of their calories from coconuts, showed an astoundingly low presence of heart-related diseases occurring among the population.
This is an important aspect of the application of coconut oil that can majorly change the medical scenario all around the world.
Coconut oil promotes healthy hair
Supporting hair growth is one of the more popular applications of coconut oil.
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Sciences investigated the effect of three important oils on hair damage. The oils included coconut oil, sunflower oil, and mineral oils.
The researchers found that among the three oils, coconut oil provided reduced protein loss as compared to the rest. Why is this important?
Hair, at the end of the day, is keratin, which is a form of protein. This means that reduced protein loss can reduce the rate of hair fall.
The application here is simple. The coconut oil is applied directly to the hair and scalp. Hence, it works directly in the area intended for it. It is one of the leading solutions for hair loss.
Coconut oil helps fight bacterial diseases
Lauric acid is the main reason why coconut oil has antimicrobial effects.
It forms monolaurin in the body, which is responsible for killing pathogens of all kinds. Some of the really dangerous bacteria and fungi can be eradicated by using coconut oil.
Some research stated that coconut oil can be a great mouthwash, but later on, the scientists concluded that the evidence supporting this theory was not enough to go forth with the hypothesis.
Even with such vast capabilities in the medical area, no sign says that coconut oil can be used to cure a common cold or flu.
Coconut oil is excellent for skincare
One of the well-known benefits of coconut oil is that it a great application for all kinds of skin ailments. Regular use of coconut oil can help improve common skin conditions.
According to a study done by the International Journal of Dermatology, coconut oil has excellent skin remedying properties.
This is because it is a great antibacterial and since the reason for such diseases is bacteria, it all works out for the best.
Coconut oil can help cure skin diseases such as easily include Eczema and Psoriasis, Dermatitis and dry skin or Xerosis. It also contains some anti-inflammatory properties and therefore has healing effects.
This is the reason the older generation immediately applies coconut oil to any open wound as it has awesome healing properties.
Coconut oil may relieve symptoms of dementia
This may come as a surprise to many people but coconut oil helps in clearing up the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to a certain extent.
According to research done by Nutricion Hospitalaria, coconut oil improves the cognitive ability of the patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Another study done by The New York Academy of Sciences shows that ketones and MCTs present in coconut oil can increase memory capabilities.
All these remedies are a huge breakthrough in science and it is quite surprising that something like this comes from something as simple as coconut oil.
Coconut oil prevents yeast infection – Candida
Candida simply means the growth of yeast in the stomach. This is a painful ailment that impacts the inside and outside of the body of the patient.
A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food stated very clearly that coconut oil provides relief from inflammation, both internal and external, caused by Candida.
An important point to note here is that the effects of coconut oil for Candida are gradual and not hard-hitting or immediate.
This is a good thing as something fast does not last very long. But a gradual process has great confidence in the time of the effect and its duration.
Coconut oil can help treat Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition where a person gets regular fits and attacks which paralyze the body for a certain amount of time. Anything could be the triggering cause for it. This is a chronic disease that is quite painful for the patient.
Research in Thailand has shown that including coconut oil in the diet of the children suffering from epilepsy reduces the effects of the disease by a huge margin.
This is important as children suffering from epilepsy are in for a lot of pain and something that can relieve them of this pain is a breath of fresh air.
Coconut oil may help reduce abdominal fat
Abdominal fat is extremely dangerous to deal with. This is because it creeps onto a person without their knowledge.
When it hits completely, it is uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of. This is because the fat that accumulates here also hardens over time. And this takes time to burn.
Well, the MCTs in coconut oils again come to the rescue of the person.
This helps in breaking down the fats to their molecular constituents and hence, helps in burning it off with much greater ease. Who knew losing belling fat can be one of the many benefits of coconut oil!
Coconut oil improves the digestive and immune system
This is one of the many latent benefits of coconut oil. The digestive system, as well as the immune system, are the ones responsible for the prevention of illness in anyone’s body.
Coconut oil can help in digestion by dissolving fat-soluble vitamins and minerals into the body.
Since the digestive system is better, the immune system automatically benefits. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. This is something that applies quite aptly here.
Coconut oil has a variety of applications as we have seen above. The benefits are limitless and the uses are boundless.
Frequently asked questions about coconut oil
However, there are certain questions people ask frequently about coconut oil and here are some of them:
Can you shave with coconut oil?
The simple answer is yes. However, one has to be very careful and methodical while doing so. You should wait for the coconut oil to dry up once you apply it to the region where you’ll be shaving. Then close shave carefully and neatly.
What are the side effects of coconut oil?
Side effects of coconut oil are mostly related to indigestion and consumption issues. This is because excess oil is harmful to the health of the consumer.
If you consume too much coconut oil, you will experience side effects including:
- nausea
- headaches
- dizziness
- fatigue
- swollen glands
- joint pains
- muscle pains, and
- stomach aches
It could also lead to adverse skin conditions if ingested improperly.
Takeaway
Coconut oil is a multifaceted product that has numerous benefits and applications.
These applications are limitless and exist in all walks of life. How one uses it is the only question that they need to answer.
Further reading: How to Make Coconut Oil: 5 Ways For When You Want to Try.
