Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
I’ll admit it. I can really geek out over anything that makes both my body and soul feel nourished. My husband just rolls his eyes at me and say “yes, dear” when I really get going. But the more I think about the different ways you can use coconut oil, the more nerdy excited I get. And if you are in the middle of an eye roll directed at me too, wait until I go over exactly what I find so exciting.
Here’s How Coconut Oil Can Heal Your Body
1. Coconut oil is a great source of needed dietary fat
Fat is an essential nutrient. Fat is used to create cells, hormones and is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. And coconut oil is a wonderful, healthy fat source. And yes, it is mostly saturated fat, but don’t let that make you nervous. A high percentage of that fat is in the form of lauric acid which has a different chemical composition than animal sources of saturated fat. This type of fat has shown to lower cholesterol and promote overall health.
2. Coconut oil may protect your body against an array of diseases
Studies show that cultures that consume high amounts of coconut oil don’t nearly have the diseases that most modern, developed nations do. Coconut oil is used in the field of natural medicine to help support the body in many ways. Here are just a few examples.
- It is considered beneficial for an under-active thyroid due to its stimulating nature.
- It can be healing to those with IBS due to its anti-inflammatory qualities and its negative effect on the bad bacteria in the gut.
- It’s said to be good for those with diabetes for its positive effect on insulin.
- It can feed brain cells through the production of energy supplying ketones, which may be protective against Alzheimer’s.
3. Coconut oil can be beneficial for weight-loss
The fat in coconut oil is mostly composed of medium-chain saturated fatty acids. Many studies show that these fatty acids not only improve energy expenditure, they also increase feelings of fullness after a meal. So while you won’t lose weight just by eating coconut oil, it can assist in your weight-loss efforts.
4. Coconut oil is the best oil for cooking
Most oils aren’t suitable for cooking. Vegetable oils like canola, sunflower, and safflower oil have a very low smoke point. What this means is that they will start to burn and become rancid at very low levels of heat. These rancid oils are toxic for the body. Conversely, the saturated fat in coconut oil is perfect for cooking and can withstand medium heat.
5. Coconut oil can make healthier treats seem decadent
It is especially good for making food creamy. Try adding one to three teaspoons of melted coconut oil to a smoothie. You will feel like you are drinking an ice cream soda or a milkshake. It can also be a great substitute for butter for those who don’t eat dairy. Spread it onto a bagel or toast, melt it over a baked potato or drizzle it over lightly steamed vegetables. Yum!
It also can be used to give a creamy texture to healthy treats. Blend dates, almonds and shredded coconut in a food processor and a little coconut oil. Then mold your mixture into raw cookies. There are so many fun ways to make healthy creations with coconut oil.
6. Coconut Oil can be a non-toxic beauty product for skin
A lot of body products are full of chemicals and the all-natural alternatives are extremely expensive. Coconut oil can be a great alternative. Use it to moisturize your skin, soften your cuticles, remove makeup and brush your teeth (it will kill bacteria).
It can also make a great conditioning hair mask. Take melted coconut oil (make sure it’s not too hot), and work it through your hair. Then let it cool. It will harden into a conditioning mask. Let sit for 10 minutes and then wash out.
7. Try the ancient practice of oil pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient tradition to help remove toxins from the body. It involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for about 5 to 20 minutes a day (20 for best results). Coconut oil is one of the best oils for this practice because of the anti-microbial properties found in the lauric acid.
Oil pulling with coconut oil kills gingivitis, plaque and other micro-organisms in the mouth. It has also been known to help detox the body, alleviate headaches, clear the skin, promote oral hygiene and improve hormonal balance. Just make sure to spit the oil into the trash (not the sink) when done.
8. Replace those chemical filled house cleaners
Coconut oil can do a wonderful job removing shower scum. It can also polish wood in a natural way. Coconut oil can be used to loosen hinges, just like WD-40. Just make sure it is melted before using.
Expert advice: I recommend getting extra virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil if possible. Keep in mind, coconut oil is solid at room temperature but becomes liquid at 76 Fahrenheit. It is really important for your health to consume good quality foods. It is just as essential to put good quality ingredients onto your body.
It is also of value to make your surroundings as toxin-free as possible. Coconut oil is so versatile in that it can promote health in so many ways. So, if you don’t already have some on hand, pick up some coconut oil and discover how you enjoy using it to promote your health today.
