Considered one of the world’s premiere super foods, coconut oil is a high source of healthy fats and has been known to have excellent medicinal properties. It has taken years for modern researchers to understand all the health aspects of using coconut oil and to help illustrate all the goodness of this amazing natural resource; we have listed some of its health and wellness properties below.
1. It is full of healthy fats
What makes it so healthy? Coconut oil contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length. Unlike the ones found in meat and cheese, these go straight to the liver from the digestive tract and are used as a quick source of energy or turned into ketones, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders.
2. It helps you burn calories and stay fit
Yes, you read that right! Although weight loss largely depends on hormones and your body’s rate of metabolism, the MCT’s found in coconut oil actually increase the amount of calories you burn by as much as 5% over a 24 hour period. This can lead to significant weight loss over a long period of time and add to your general wellness.
3. It makes you less hungry
Another great way that coconut oil contributes to weight loss is by suppressing hunger. Studies conducted on a group of men and women concluded that exposure to coconut oil in their diet made them consume 236 calories less per day. This has been proven to mainly be due to the presence of Ketones produced by the metabolism of MCT’s in the coconut oil that help reduce a persons appetite and lose weight in the long run.
4. It acts as an excellent natural moisturizer and sunscreen for your body
Besides just adding it in your food and diet coconut oil contains properties that make it useful for moisturizing as well as protecting against sun damage. Studies show that daily application showed a marked improvement on dry, damaged hair and even provided upto 20% of protection against the suns harmful UV rays.
5. It kills harmful pathogens
A pathogen is a bacteria, virus or microorganism that can cause disease. Half of the fatty acids present in coconut oil contain Lauric acid. When digested Lauric acid breaks down into another substance called monolaurin, which is extremely effective in fighting pathogens and preventing infection. Yeast infections are the most commonly prevented ailments with the regular intake of coconut oil.
Although there are many benefits to the use of coconut oil, not all coconut oil is the same. Be sure to use organic virgin coconut oil in your diet and see the dramatic improvement in your lifestyle and quality of life. Health and wellness are a huge part of leading a normal, balanced life and incorporating small and significant changes such as using coconut oil in your diet can put you on the right path to achieving this.