Health Benefits of Coconut Oil are numerous including lowering cholesterol levels, boosting the immune system, maintaining digestive system health, controlling weight, diabetes control, anti-cancer, cardiovascular disease, healthy hair and bone, kidney disorders, healthy skin, stress relief, strong teeth. Due to all these Health Benefits of Coconut Oil, it is extensively produced and used in major parts of the world including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Tanzania, the United States, etc. The only major setback did to coconut oil sale and usage was when a study conducted 30 40 years concluded that coconut oil contains saturated fats which makes them difficult to be decomposed and causes a rise in blood pressure. Following are the Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil:
1- Coconut Oil for Weight Loss
Coconut oil for weight loss has long been researched in renowned laboratories. Coconut fats are now considered to be healthy fats according to the latest researches since they are medium complex fats that are easily decomposed to produce energy. In a study coconut oil was fed to the chickens to increase their health but it had an opposite effect on them by decreasing their weight and increasing their appetite. In some studies, it has also been found that coconut oil is very effective in improving thyroid functions which directly controls hormones to control body weight. It has also been confirmed clinically that coconut oil is effective in reducing the body mass of humans by increasing stamina and there is an abrupt transformation from sugar dense drinks to coconut oil.
2- Coconut Oil For Heart Health
The benefits of Coconut oil for heart health is getting popular. Coconut oil is a good source of HDL fats. Now HDL fats are mono-saturated fats which are simply fat molecules easily decomposable to produce energy. Unsaturated fats pile up in the arteries to produce hindrance in the natural blood flow thus affecting heart health. Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats and it is a common perception that saturated fats are highly unhealthy for heart health but in recent studies conducted this idea proved no link between saturated fats and increase blood cholesterol levels. But strong evidence supported by some clinical researches are not yet available since very little researches have been done in this regard
3- Coconut Oil For Hair Health
Coconut oil for hair health is highly beneficial and is being used for hair treatment remedies for many centuries. This oil being rich in lauric acid helps to maintain protein levels normal in hair. Coconut oil is highly stable in nature which makes it highly suitable to maintain moisture in the hair. Treatment of dry hair is possible preventing hair breakage and hair loss.
Since it helps to maintain moisture in the hair people having dandruff problems can surely use coconut oil. The problem of split ends arises when hair does not get enough nutrients to maintain its health and this problem can be easily solved by using coconut oil as a treatment agent for hair split ends.
4- Coconut Oil For Skin Health
Coconut oil for skin health has long been used. Saturated fats like lauric, capric, caprylic acid present in coconut oil give it an antibacterial effect which is very useful in skin disorders like acne, pimples, blackheads which are mostly caused by bacterial formation. Coconut Oil is a great moisturizer without any unnatural impurity or chemical being added, thus making coconut oil a natural moisturizer which keeps skin from being getting dried and thus stopping any signs of aging and wrinkles. Vitamin E present in coconut oil makes it a strong antioxidant that keeps skin tissue for being getting damaged and in this way stops the skin from being oxidized and delays any aging signs.
5- Coconut Oil For Colon And Digestive System
Coconut oil for digestive system has long been used due to the presence of saturated fats. These saturated fats have the ability to fight against bacteria and viruses which cause digestive disorders and colon disorders. Antibacterial properties in saturated fats make coconut oil an active catalyst to improve digestion. Coconut oil also helps to absorb vitamins, minerals which greatly assist in the digestion process and also help to keep the colon clean. Colon utilizes saturated fats of coconut oil as a cleanser to get rid of cancer-causing cells. Some medicine companies are using coconut oil to manufacture medicines for various purposes.
Nutritional Value of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is extensively used to attain skin, teeth, hair and bone strength, heart and kidney health, active digestive and immune system, controlling blood pressure and diabetes, All these benefits are due to the presence of lauric, capric, caprylic acid presence which gives coconut oil antibacterial, anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil also contains saturated fats which were once considered to be harmful to the heart and arteries but according to recent studies that claim has recently been considered wrong. 90% of the fats present in coconut oil are saturated.
Following are the detailed account of the nutritional value of 100 gm coconut oil:
- Coconut oil is good for frying since its smoke point is 450 F.
- Most of the saturated fats in coconut oil are medium-chain fats that are easily soluble.
- These fats include lauric acid, caprylic acid, caproic acid which make 59% of the total fatty mass present in the oil.
- Coconut oil contains 884 calories of energy per serving.
- Caprylic acid present in coconut oil is 9%·
- The lauric acid present is 52% of the total fat mass in coconut oil.
- Decanoic acid present in coconut oil makes 10% of total fat mass.
- Palmitic acid contains 11% of fat mass.
- Oleic mono fats contain 8% of the total body mass.
Keeping in mind all these health benefits of coconut oil, one can easily be convinced that coconut oil should be added in our daily routines.
