There is a reason our mothers and grandmothers had always stressed upon the regular usage of coconut oil – the oil comes with a number of wonderful benefits. Of course, they couldn’t have been wrong, could they?
And that is what research tells too.
Coconut oil, what we can also call as the wonder oil, offers us the best of the best benefits – most of which are unknown to a number of us.
This post talks about the major ways coconut oil can be advantageous to us, and also about everything else one must know about it.
So without any further delay, go ahead and read. Stay informed. Stay healthy.
What is more important than knowing the benefits of a particular ingredient? It is knowing the particular ingredient itself.
Coming to the point – coconut oil (also known as copra oil), is an edible oil that is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut tree. Pure coconut oil (also called virgin coconut oil) contains about 92 percent saturated fat, which is one of the highest compositions amongst foods and oils containing saturated fats (1), (2), (3).
Just like any fat, coconut oil too is a blend of fatty acids. Lauric and myristic acids are the two major fatty acids present in the oil (44 percent of lauric acid and 16.8 percent of myristic acid), which are responsible for most of the benefits the oil provides.
If you haven’t started using coconut oil yet, you will once you get to know the benefits this humble oil offers!
This is probably something almost every living adult in today’s world would crave for. Oh yes, who doesn’t want to lose that excess weight and stay healthy?
How?
Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), the consumption of which can help trim excess body fat (4), (5). It also has been found that consumption of oils rich in medium chain triglycerides results in a greater rate of weight loss, compared to that of oils rich in long chain triglycerides.
In addition, what makes coconut oil safe for inducing weight loss is this – MCTs can be incorporated into one’s diet without the fear of contracting cardiovascular diseases (6).
Further Research
In one study conducted by Columbia University and New York Obesity Research Center, the participants were made to consume about 24 grams of MCTs every day as a part of a 16-week weight loss program. It was found that replacing oils containing long chain triglycerides (like olive oil) with those containing medium chain triglycerides could result in healthy weight loss (7).
Tell us how good your digestion is, we will tell you how healthy you are. If your digestive system is functioning optimally, you can prevent a majority of the common ailments. And how can you ensure a healthy digestive system? Simple – by using coconut oil.
How?
The MCTs present in coconut oil have antibacterial properties (8), which help in dealing with the various microbes that cause indigestion.
MCTs, apart from getting absorbed easily in the digestive tract, even enable other nutrients to undergo a smooth absorption. They also help treat digestive ailments like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
Coconut oil and coconut butter, apart from possessing antimicrobial properties, also help heal the lining of the gut. Now you understand why your mother always prefers using coconut oil for cooking, don’t you?
Further Research
As mentioned by Dr. Oz in his much acclaimed website, coconut oil enhances digestion and helps in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (9).
Diabetes is one of the most common illnesses plaguing humanity today.
But there is good news – coconut oil can help counter diabetes.
How?
We again have to thank the MCTs for this. It has been proven that diets high in MCTs can improve glucose tolerance and also reduce the accumulation of body fat.
Coconut oil also helps regulate blood sugar levels, thereby minimizing the effects of the disease (10).
Further Research
In one study, it was revealed that coconut oil can improve the brain function in individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes.
Another study conducted in 2010 on type 2 diabetic rats has uncovered the fact that the lauric acid present in coconut oil can help cope with the disease (11).
MCFAs (medium chain fatty acids) have also been shown to preserve insulin resistance in certain studies conducted on rats.
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