Benefits of Coconut Oil

If you have cable television, Facebook or ever leave your house you have probably heard of coconut oil. When people ask me why I am always raving about the benefits of coconut oil, it’s because I truly believe it is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You can try and leave me a comment telling me what it can’t do, I won’t believe you :)

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Some foods are so incredible, they reinforce our wonder of the wisdom inherent in God’s creation. The coconut, a charming, furry, brown fruit, with an exotic nutty flavor and flowing with milky nectar, is a wonder food that’s packed with wholesome goodness. Let us learn about how to take advantage of the numerous benefits of coconut oil.

The healthiest People in the World

Though the coconut may appear to some as an exotic fruit, reserved for the sole use of ornamenting photos of beach resort ads, it is really a dietary staple in certain parts of the world. The Tokelauans and Kitavans are populations that reside in the South Pacific. They are among the healthiest people on the planet, with zero evidence of heart disease, obesity and many other ailments that plague the Western society. This is probably due to the fact that the majority of their nutritional intake comes from the coconut.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

These are some of the more specific benefits of coconut oil, including:

• Coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
• It boosts brain health and protects against Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and epilepsy.
• Its fatty acids help to energize the individual.
• Coconut oil contains healthy fats, which promote weight loss.
• Consumption of coconut oil can lower cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent heart disease.
• Coconut oil for skin has been used for centuries as a moisturizer and skin protectant.
• Coconut oil for hair is popular in many coastal islands due to its ability to moisturize and strengthen the hair.
• It contains properties that help fight infection.

Brain Power Booster

Coconuts are natural brain power boosters. The secret to the many benefits of coconut oil lies mainly in its abundance of medium chain triglyceride saturated fatty acids, a kind of healthy fat that is different than the standard fat you’ll find in meat or cheese.

These types of fatty acids are crucial for brain growth and development. And, in fact, consumption of coconut oil has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Coconut oil is also a great natural seizure preventer. Once medium-chain fatty acids are digested, they are turned into ketones, which help prevent brain seizures.

A Natural Weight Loss diet

Anyone struggling to lose weight should first try a coconut-rich diet before going on any rigorous starvation diet. Ketones, which result from medium-length fatty acid digestion, are used by the body as a quick source of energy. This is why coconut oil is a great energy booster. The increase in activity that follows the consumption of coconut oil can lead to a more active lifestyle and cause long-term weight loss.

Coconut oil is highly recommended for the voracious eater because of its ability to curb overactive appetites. Studies have shown that those who eat coconut as part of their diet end up consuming fewer calories per day. It is really no wonder, then, that coconut oil has been proven to help burn abdominal fat and promote weight loss. In a study of 40 women with abdominal obesity, they were all supplemented with one ounce of coconut oil per day, which led to a reduction in both body weight and waist circumference in a period of just three months.

Heart Healthy

The fats present in coconut oil are effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. These fats increase the HDL levels of cholesterol in the body, while replacing the LDL levels of cholesterol with a more benign form.

Close to 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut oil are made of lauric acid, which is effective in fighting fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Many people will still use the “teeth pulling method,” using coconut oil to destroy the bacteria in the mouth that causes bad breath.

Now that you know how to keep your breath smelling so fresh, we can talk about keeping your skin smooth and hair healthy.

Coconut oil for the skin

Coconut oil has been used for centuries as an effective skin cream and has been used in lip gels, anti-aging creams, moisturizers and makeup removers. The lipids (or saturated fats) found in coconut oil act as natural skin moisturizers and also help the skin appear smoother, softer and less porous. The high protein and vitamin E levels found in coconuts are also important for maintaining healthy skin.

Coconut Oil for Hair

The familiar, sweet smell of coconut conditioner is not foreign to us. For many populations in coastal areas, coconut oil is still the preferred hair conditioner. Its nutrient content nourishes the hair, its moisture retention properties keep the hair soft, the lauric acid present in coconut oil helps to repair hair damage, and its lipids give it anti-dandruff properties. Coconut oil has also been used for centuries to prevent and reverse hair loss.

Besides the countless healthy coconut oil benefits, it is also delicious fruit and is very versatile in its uses for cooking purposes. Coconut, coconut oil, coconut milk and coconut flour are available in food stores everywhere. Adding coconut as part of your diet will prove to be a healthy, worthwhile and flavorful choice.

Now that you know all of the benefits of coconut oil, here are some of my favorite recipes using this super food.

• Coconut Cinnamon Paleo Cereal
• Coconut Shrimp
• Garlic Shrimp Scampi
• Coconut Griddle Cakes
• Paleo Banana Bread

What is your favorite way to use Coconut Oil?