10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is of the best heart healthy food that helps keeping your body run smoothly in ample of ways. In India, the practice of coconut oil is mostly used in South India. Coconut oil is the latest food cure-all that can have profound positive effects on your overall health. The oil contains a combination of fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which contain antioxidant properties and help in the absorption of other minerals.

Although the culture of using coconut oil is not so much common in Western countries, but gradually its health benefits are slowly beginning to take the world by storm.

Being a staple food in almost one third of the world, it’s amazing that Western countries are only beginning to understand coconuts and all their potential.

To begin with, coconuts are considered drupes – they have three layers, the exocarp, the endocarp, and the mesocarp, which are the thick, cream-colored insides.

It is heart healthy

I know it’s crazy, but it is heart healthy!! Even though coconut oil is high in saturated fats, it is actually beneficial to your heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps to prevent various heart conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries. Something for you and your heart to be happy about!!

Wonderful for weight loss

It contains something called short and medium-chain fatty acids; these fatty acids help in taking off excessive weight. Since it is easy to digest, it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. It also helps to burn more energy by increasing the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas. Doesn’t mean you should eat a gallon of it…everything in moderation!!

You can get strong bones and teeth from coconut oil

Since coconut oil improves calcium and magnesium absorption in the body. So it makes it beneficial for dental and bone health….so you don’t have to worry so much about those cavities!!!

It has been shown to lessen the effects of diabetes

The healthy fat in coconut oil plays an essential role in regulating blood sugar. This is done by slowing the digesting process and ensuring a steady, even stream of energy from food by lowering the overall glycemic index of a meal. For example, if you include coconut oil in a meal with carbohydrates, the carbs are broken down into glucose more slowly, thereby keeping your blood sugar levels steady after you eat.

It’s a great way to improve your immune system

Coconut oil contains some fancy names; antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight infections and the flu. It must be good for you if it is anti anything!!!

Good for the skin

Coconut oil not only helps your skin manage the aging process (fine lines/wrinkles, etc.), but it is also an excellent natural moisturizer that’s free of toxins and pesticides. It keeps the skin’s connective tissues strong, which prevents sagging and wrinkles.

Eases digestion

Coconut oil contains anti-microbial properties, which can have a soothing effect on bacteria, candida, or parasites that cause poor digestion and conditions like indigestion, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

Helps you manage sugar cravings

May seem counter-intuitive, but increased consumption of fat can actually help you beat your sugar cravings, while improving your health. Saturated fats found in coconut oil provide solid sustenance for your body and brain, which can help naturally eliminate your cravings for sugar.

Improves hair health

Coconut oil can also help nourish your hair and keep it vibrant and healthy. Coconut oil can make hair appear thicker by adding body, its antibacterial properties protect the scalp against infections that cause itching, dandruff and weak or dry hair. In addition, Vitamins E and K found in coconut oil nourish hair and boost health and shine.

Good for your brain

Medium Chain Triglycerides, the primary type of fat found within coconut oil, have been found to boost cognitive performance, and even stall or reverse neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages. This is because our brain is made primarily of fat and restricting your diet of healthy saturated fat (the kind found in coconut oil) can result in inadequate nutrition for the brain.