If you currently don’t use much coconut oil in your cooking, here are a list of benefits that will likely make you want to start. All oils are not created equally, and many of them are not beneficial to the body. But others like olive oil have been shown to add extra health benefits. Coconut oil is the same way. It contains plenty of benefits and can be used both topically and in cooking.
[hr]
Diseases and Conditions
Improves Cancer Status – According to one study, consuming virgin coconut oil during chemotherapy can help improve the status of patients with breast cancer. The study also found that the coconut oil helped reduced the side effects of the chemotherapy. Cancer is one disese you don’t want to try to tackle yourself, but this research suggests that you can use coconut oil in supplemental form to help improve the condition.
Fights Jock Itch And Athlete’s Foot – Research shows that the lauric acid in coconut oil contains anti-infective and anti-fungal properties, which can be used to treat dermal infections. This involves some of the topical uses of coconut oil, applying it directly to the affected area. Be sure to apply it several times a day to see the best results, and also add it to your diet so that you’re getting a daily intake of it as well. This is one all-natural treatment that gives you an alternative to using prescription medications and over the counter options so that you don’t have to resort to medicine to fix the problem. Coconut oil is also very moisturizing and can soothe the infected area.
[AdSense-A]
Fights Off Candida Yeast Infections – Research shows that coconut oil can be used to fight off candida yeast infections due to its antimicrobial properties. This is one very helpful attribute of coconut oil, and it’s been proven time and time again to work well as an antifungal. The reason this is such a good idea is because it’s natural, so you’re not resorting to medicinal treatments found in stores or prescribed by a doctor. The nice thing is that you can simply drink this down, if you don’t want to use it in your cooking. Just be suto get a daily dose until your condition subsides.
Helps Cure Some STDs – The antimicrobial nature of coconut oil helps with some STDs that are bacteria-based. One such example is chlamydia. Research shows that the capric and lauric acids in coconut oil have antichlamydial properties. The use of coconut oil is safe, and without side effects, and is also one treatment method that your doctors probably won’t tell you about. It’s one option to try before resorting to medications, either by prescription or bought over the counter. The same effect could responsible for other colds and diseases, so it’s a good idea to add this as part of a comprehensive treatment.
[hr]
Good News for Dieters
Decreases Belly Fat -According to one study, obese subjects who took coconut oil significantly reduced their waist circumference by 2.86 cm or 0.97% from initial measurement. Belly fat is often the biggest offender when it comes to dieting. Most dieters say that they would want this problem area to go away. It just so happens that this is the area that is targeted by coconut oil. The waistline of those that took coconut oil instead of other oils decreased in a comparison test, with all else kept the same. If this is one of the areas you most want to treat you owe it to yourself to start taking in more coconut oil.
Helps In Weight Loss – Because of its high (good) fat content, coconut oil can help you stay fuller for longer periods, which can help with weight loss. If you follow the ketogenic diet, you can use coconut oil to assist with the production of ketone bodies, which further drives the fat-burning process of ketosis. One study found that coconut oil can help play a positive role in body composition by enhancing energy expenditure. This can help you get up and go achieve your fitness goals!
Controls Blood Sugar Levels – This is one huge reason to add coconut oil to your diet, since blood sugar levels have a direct impact on you ability to lose weight and keep it off. For many, getting ahold of their blood glucose peaks and valleys is enough to do the trick and help stabilize their weight. It also plays a big part in how sluggish or energetic you feel throughout the day. Keeping it stable means that you can stay focused and alert all the time. According to one study, coconut oil inhibits enzyme pathways that lead to secondary diabetic conditions. Another study found that coconut oil helped improve glycemic conditions in rats who were fed high-fructose corn syrup diets., which shows promising results for blood sugar control!
Reduces Inflammation– The fatty acids in coconut oil are effective at reducing inflammation, which is the starting point for most diseases in the body. Reducing inflammation can also help control pain. For the best results, try replacing your current cooking oil for coconut oil along with an anti-inflammatory diet and you’ll see instant results in how you feel.
Improves Digestion – A sluggish digestion means that you’re going to have a tougher time losing weight because your body isn’t absorbing the nutrients and minerals from the food you’re eating. It can also lead to putrification of foods in your digestive system, which can make your body more toxic and lead to waste being stored unnecessarily. Improving your digestion is one way coconut oil can help you lose weight, feel lighter, and be healthier all at once. According to one study, coconut oil helped changed the gut bacteria environment of mice with Crohn’s disease to improve their symptoms.
You may also like our list of 23 Green Tea Benefits.
[hr]
Overall Health and Wellness
Strengthens the Entire Immune System – Coconut oil boosts the immune system in a few ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, which can get your immune system back to working properly. It also has anti-bacterial properties to fight infections. This is good news if you’ve noticed that you catch colds and viruses easily. The reason cited is the presence of medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil that kill off viruses and bacteria that lead to a host of problems. A strengthened immune system only yields benefits with no drawbacks.
Detoxifies the Body – If you’re looking for a way to have a cleaner body internally, you should add coconut oil to your detox regimen. It works to cleanse the body from the inside out, and the result is that you get a well-balanced digestive system, and are cleansed of several impurities and toxins that would otherwise fester in your body and contribute to other problems. This is again thanks to its anti-bacterial andanti-inflammatoryy properties. A nice side benefit is that this sets you up for effortless weight loss. Check out our article here on how to detox your liver.
Supports Bladder Health – If you have noticed that you seem to get urinary tract infections a lot, then you can use coconut oil to help. This is because coconut oil contains anti-bacterial properties that can help kill infections. Be sure to include coconut oil in your diet daily to help preventan infection from occuring in the first place. Drinking more water can also help!
Promotes Skin Health – Research shows that coconut oil has numerous benefits for your skin. It can be used as a topical moisturizer to improve skin’s moisture content and speed up the wound healing process. It can even be used to help reduce inflammation assocaited with overexposure to UV rays. Here are some other foods you can eat to help improve your skin health.
[hr]
Fantastic Side Benefits
Increases Sex Drive – Here’s a fun effect of coconut oil that will probably send you to the store directly if you’ve been lagging behind in this area. One study found that rats who were fed coconut oil had the highest levels of antioxidants in their testes, which could result in better testosterone production. They also had higher levels of enzymes that are needed to produce testosterone. Antioxidants break down free radicals that can lead to a lowered libido and overall drive. This is one all-natural remedy to try before resorting to other means. Check out our article on how to increase sex drive in women.
Increases Good Cholesterol – Coconut oil might have gotten a bad rap in the days when anything that raised your cholesterol levels was considered bad. But now that they’ve determined the difference between good and bad cholesterol it shows that this actually works to increase the level of good cholesterol. The cells of your body need healthy levels of good cholesterol and this is one good way to make that happen. One study found that coconut oil helps increase HDL or “good” cholesterol, which is needed to clear out the “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Combats Tooth Decay – It’s interesting that there are all-natural substances that can help to battle off tooth decay. But it only makes sense that some foods lead to tooth decay that others would help turn things around. Resaerch shows that coconut oil can help combat tooth decay by helping to stymie the growth of the bacteria responsible for the decay. A great way to help keep the teeth healthy in between dental checkups!
[hr]
Skin, Hair, and Bones
Moisturizes Skin – Here’s a way to get supple and soft skin without having to resort to expensive anti-aging products with sketchy claims. You can use it topically to help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If your skin is excessively dry, and is showing the signs of aging, you will find benefit greatly from the use of coconut oil. Add it to your nightly routine, moisturizing your entire body, or just your problem areas before you go to bed. Check out our article on the seven daily rituals for perfect skin.
Conditions Hair – Dry and frizzy hair is a problem for many people, and there are so many conditioners on the market that you might feel that nothing can help you if you’ve tried a lot of them. But many report that coconut oil works better, and it’s totally natural and free of all of the sorts of additives and artificial colors, scents, and dyes. Research shows that coconut oil has a low molecular weight and straight liner chain that is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft to deliver nutrients and healing benefits.
Strengthens Bones – If you’re worried about conditions like osteoporosis, than you should probably get more coconut oil into your life. It’s shown promise in rat studies to increase bone volume and increase bone structure. So while a lot of attention gets placed on calcium, you can get more coconut oil so that you can take a more comprehensive approach to stronger, more dense bones throughout your body.
Lubricates Skin For Shaving – One interesting way to use coconut oil is as a shaving cream. It’s been reported that the oil does a fantastic job of getting the skin ready for a shave, and that it has a detoxifying effect other shaving creams lack, you know the ones that you buy in stores that are supposed to be specially formulated for shaving. Since it also moisturizes it’s like you’re getting multiple products in one, and it’s easier to rinse out of the razor as well.
[hr]
A Wonder Oil
Relieves Stress – Want to chill out with an all-natural product? This is one way to get into a relaxed state. If you’re getting a massage try using coconut oil as the massage lotion. Using it around the head and neck is very soothing, and even the smell can help you relax. Taking it internally can also have a similar effect, so it simply makes sense to have this be on your daily list of foods to take in.
Slows Down Aging – This is perhaps one of the most encouraging reasons to start using more coconut oil. It’s a healthy fat filled with antioxidants, and it helps your cardiovascular system. An improved cardiovascular system coupled with better-looking skin is a sure way to turn back the clock, or at least slow it down so you get more good years. Looking younger is great, but it should also help you feel younger as well.
Kills Germs – Those medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are at it again, this time helping to kill all sorts of germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is one of the main properties of coconut oil, and more than half of it is packed with acids that act to neutralize these germs. This is quite useful for a number of reasons, and like Shrek says, it’s better out than in, so it’s better to get these germs out of the body than to have them stay in and cause damage.
[hr]
[hr]
Coconut Oil FAQ
Does coconut oil get rid of cellulite?
Coconut oil has been shown to speed up the healing process of skin, but there is no evidence to show that it can get rid of cellulite. As a moisturizer, you could use coconut oil to help prevent the area from becoming dry.
Does coconut oil taste like coconut?
Organic, virgin coconut oil that has not been overly refined has a natural coconut flavor that gives your food a flavor boost.
Will coconut oil make you fat?
Quite the opposite, coconut oil works to rev up your weight loss results, detoxify the body, and raise your good cholesterol levels. The end result should be that you lose weight, and specifically belly fat. The real culprit for weight gain is sugar.
Is coconut oil bad for you?
No! All research indicates that coconut oil is quite good for you, containing antioxidants to battle free radicals, helping to lose weight, boosting good cholesterol, and having a, antibacterial effect. Compared to oils that don’t offer any of these benefits and clog your arteries, coconut oil is a godsend.
Does coconut oil go bad?
Yes, like any vegetable based oil it does go bad, but the shelf life of coconut oil is quite impressive, often last months on end, and even well over a year before it starts to show any sign of going bad. Since you’ll want to incorporate this into your daily routine, you should never have to worry about it going bad before you use it up.
Will coconut oil strip hair color?
There are no chemicals in coconut oil that would strip hair color. Many people use it as a natural base for their coloring products.
Does coconut oil stain?
You should try to keep coconut oil away from clothing items because it can stain them, and the stains are not the easiest ones to remove. Baking soda is the recommended way to try and treat coconut oil stains, and you want to get to them as early as possible.
Is coconut oil good for your hair?
Yes, coconut oil provides a conditioning effect to hair that is said to outdo many of the fancy conditioners sold in salons. The best part is it’s all natural, and a whole source so you know there aren’t any fillers or artificial ingredients in it. Talk about quality control. This can be used as a once a week treatment, and you can heat the oil up so that you’re getting a hot oil treatment.
Does coconut oil cause acne?
There are several factors that go into the cause of acne, and using coconut as a moisturizer for your face or other areas that are prone to breakouts is not a good idea. That is topically, as in spreading it onto your skin. Taken orally as a supplement it can actually be beneficial to the overall condition of your skin, and it’s been stated that if you stick with virgin coconut oil you’ll see an improvement in your acne condition.
Will coconut oil help with stretch marks?
While it may not get rid of them once you have them, it can be helpful in preventing them from occurring in the first place. Be sure to use it daily when you’re expecting so that the skin is well-moisturized, and consider using additional products to help with the skin’s elasticity so it can stretch without scarring.
Does coconut oil raise cholesterol?
Yes, but only the good cholesterol that you want to raise. The body needs good cholesterol, or HDL, to function at its best, and coconut oil raises those levels. At the same time it is said to either lower or leave alone the levels of LDL cholesterol, or the bad kind. So while your cholesterol levels might see a net increase, the effect is a positive one.
Is coconut oil good for eczema?
Research shows that coconut oil can help reduce eczema because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It also reduces inflammatory pain and hydrates the skin.
Will coconut oil kill lice?
One study found that the combination of coconut oil and anise spray can help kill lice. You can use coconut oil to kill lice by applying it to clean hair, covering it, and letting it sit overnight. Repeat until the infection goes away.
Is coconut oil antifungal?
Yes, it has shown to be an antifungal option for all sorts of conditions that are fungus based. Those that are trying to clean themselves of excessive candida levels have been advised to take this, as it goes to work on all sorts of harmful organisms residing in the body. Here is some more information on why yeast infections occur and how to treat them.
[alert type=”success”]
[/alert]