Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils out there, but don’t just take our word for it! This oil is high in antioxidants and has a wide range of health benefits, especially for the heart.
Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides, which are easily digested and quickly metabolized by the body. MCTs are highly beneficial for the heart, brain, and immune system. They’re also a great source of energy, and they can help people with energy, fatigue, and mental focus.
Coconut oil also has antibacterial properties, making it a great source of natural disinfectant for the body.
What is coconut oil?
The coconut palm tree, a species of the Arecaceae plant family, contains coconut oil, edible oil that is derived from the flesh of mature coconuts. Despite their name, coconuts are actually drupes rather than nuts.
Whether it’s consuming coconut water, using the oil as a lubricant, or adding a teaspoon to bakes, we’ve seen the coconut rise to prominence in both our kitchens and bathrooms. Virgin coconut oil is thought to be of greater quality than processed coconut oil and is considered to be more abundant in nutrients including vitamin E and the antioxidant polyphenols.
Is coconut oil secure for all users?
Most people can safely consume coconut, but certain adults and kids may have allergies to the fruit or to other plants in the Arecaceae family, including the oil.
You might want to reconsider using coconut oil to promote heart health or weight loss. Although MCFAs are reputed to be more easily converted into energy and less likely to be stored as fat in the body, this does not seem to be the case with coconut oil. This is because the lauric acid, which has a large carbon chain and functions in between the beneficial MCFAs and the unfavorable long-chain triglycerides, makes up the majority of the MCFAs in coconut.
Notably, EFSA has not yet discovered sufficient proof that the coconut oil’s MCFAs can, as usually claimed, lower body weight. Despite several health benefits, coconut oil is not the greatest option for lowering LDL cholesterol or promoting heart health.
The top health benefits of coconut oil
Are composed of medium-chain fatty acids.
Has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities
Lauric acid, which makes up around 50% of the MCFAs in coconut oil, helps the oil’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal capabilities.
It might be useful for treating skin disorders.
The topical application of coconut oil for the treatment and prevention of mild to moderate cases of chronic skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, appears to be supported by limited but consistent evidence. It has also been demonstrated to be effective in treating several difficult skin problems, such as psoriasis or eczema.
May shield hair from harm
Due to the structure of the oil, the lauric acid in coconut oil appears to have a strong affinity for hair protein and can enter the hair shaft. As a result, coconut oil and treatments containing it may be helpful in preventing hair damage brought on by protein loss through grooming and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. However, further research is needed to validate this benefit.
It May be beneficial in the prevention of dental cavities.
For the maintenance of oral health, oil pulling is a traditional ayurvedic therapy that was first used in ancient India. More recent research suggests the practice of using coconut oil may be effective for the prevention of dental caries by minimizing development and gingivitis. However, limitations in sample sizes and length indicate a larger number of well-designed randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate the genuine efficacy of coconut oil for this purpose.
