15 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Written by Resurchify | Updated on: July 14, 2023

Check out these 15 evidence-based health benefits of coconut oil.

All good things start with 'C' coffee, chocolate and coconut oil.

We adore all three, but today's hero will be coconut. You can't spend a day without coconut if you're Indian or have ever travelled to India. It's in everything, from the food you consume to the skincare you use. Coconut is referred to be the "holy grail." It's one of the most stunning fruits you'll ever see. Not just by its appearance but also by its tastes, odour, and work. It has a magical effect on you and your health. Apart from the yummiest cuisine we prepare, Indians are also known for their famed home medicines, so let me throw some light on the health advantages you may obtain from coconut oil.

For skin

One of the greatest moisturizers for your skin is coconut oil. It is one of the safest and healthiest oils to use on your face without concern. People with oily skin should be cautious about how they use the oil because their skin is already oily, and oily skin is prone to pains, so adding extra oil to it will not help. More oil clogs the pores, making them more prone to hurting. Coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory qualities that aid in the treatment of pains and pimples. It also aids in the reduction of pimple marks. Mixing coconut with other essential oils, such as tea tree or lavender, can greatly accelerate their benefits. It's a light oil that swiftly absorbs into the skin, leaving it nourished and soft. It also stimulates collagen formation, making the skin firm and velvety. It also prioritizes anti-ageing, making it more effective. It aids in the treatment of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.

Combining coconut oil and coffee makes an excellent exfoliant. But it won't be easy for a few. As a result, always do a patch test before implementing it.

High in Nutrition

Coconuts are packed with nutrients. It also contains a lot of minerals. It includes lauric acid, which is a saturated fat that is thought to be good for the heart. It provides several health advantages, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal qualities. Coconut oil also includes myristic acid, which is beneficial to the skin. It is a fatty acid that helps your skin seem moisturized, healthy, and younger. It is used as a cleaning agent in cosmetics.

Helps burn Fat

Coconut oil is well-known for its high concentration of MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides. It is a form of saturated fat that, according to one research, aids in weight loss. Scientists discovered that coconut oil includes this chain, which is good for your health. According to one research, coconut oil contains 65–66 percent MCTs, which boosts the quantity of calories our bodies burn, hence promoting weight reduction.

According to one study, consuming 15-20 grams of MCTs boosts energy expenditure by 5%. It is simply suggested that because coconut oil contains MCTs, it may aid in weight loss. It neither claims nor has any form of evidence.However, because it is an oil, please be cautious and bear in mind that excessive use of coconut oil may result in weight gain.

Manages the Hunger

Coconut oil contains MCTs. They are the ones that make you lose your appetite. A chemical known as ketones is formed during the breakdown of MCTs. Ketones are supposed to help you regulate your appetite and eat less calories, allowing you to gain fewer calories.

Ketones suppress your appetite by either directly delivering instructions to your brain or by altering the levels of hormones that are responsible for your hunger. People who follow keto diets may be more familiar with this. They won't consume many carbohydrates on keto diets, but they will eat a lot of fat, and their bodies will manufacture ketones, which act as fuels.

Helps in inflammation reduction and arthritis

In an animal research in India, it was discovered that coconut oil contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which aids in inflammation reduction and improves arthritis more effectively than the drugs given to the animals. According to another research, virgin coconut oil includes a significant level of antioxidants, which enhances the antioxidant enzymes in your body. Coconut oil promotes appropriate blood circulation throughout your body and delivers enough blood to arthritis afflicted region. A good blood supply alleviates discomfort and makes you feel better. Because coconut oil contains MCTs, it aids in the restoration of damaged tissues that cause joint inflammation. Because weak bones cause arthritic pain, it is also thought to strengthen bones. Many natural physicians recommend using coconut oil. It is less expensive, helps reduce pain, and has no adverse effects, unlike prescription drugs.

In certain circumstances, stress is thought to be the primary cause of arthritic pain. Using coconut oil relieves tension and leaves you feeling revitalized. It also revitalizes both the mind and the body.

There is no precise amount of coconut oil intake indicated. However, 2 grammes per day is reported to be useful in the reduction of inflammation, and 10 ml of coconut oil per day is said to be safe.

Promotes better oral health

Coconut oil contains lots of anti-fungal and antioxidant properties. Coconut oil attacks harmful bacteria in the mouth. Doing oil pulling with coconut oil is mentioned to be one of the best ways to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. Oil pulling is a technique used to keep oral health intact. A spoonful of oil is taken and used as a mouth wash. You swish it for a few minutes, and then it comes out. Oil pulling with coconut oil is said to reduce the bacteria that causes plague as compared with a regular mouth wash. Coconut reduces plague sedimentation and prevents cavities and decay of teeth. And also makes your gums strong. It is also said to make your teeth whiter and break bad breath. The lauric acid present in coconut oil is said to be the one behind all these oral benefits as it has antibacterial properties. It decreases plague production, which is caused by a bacterial called streptococcus mutans. The antibacterial properties of lauric acid, which is found in coconut oil, are thought to be responsible for all of these oral advantages. It reduces the generation of plague caused by a bacterium called streptococcus mutans.

Although coconut oil is beneficial to your oral hygiene and health, it is not a substitute for dental care. So, it's also a good idea to have frequent dental exams for a healthy mouth.

Helps in cancer prevention and treatment

Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells develop fast and uncontrollably in any region of the body, eventually spreading to other sections of the body. Coconut oil is supposed to prevent cancer because it contains ketones. As a result, because malignant tumour cells are entirely glucose-dependent, they are unable to access the energy in ketones. As a result, the generation of new cells is slowed. In rare situations, it is also claimed that anyone who has cancer can use a ketogenic diet to treat the disease.

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, which help bacteria break down their lipid barriers. They are also known to eliminate germs that contribute to stomach cancer risk. According to several research, extra virgin coconut oil can also aid women suffering from breast cancer. It reduces the negative effects of chemotherapy and, to some extent, alleviates pain.

In a recent study published in the journal Cancer Research, researchers discovered a potent anti-cancer chemical known as lauric acid in coconut oil. It is claimed that using coconut oil for two days will destroy almost 90% of colon cancer cells and assist in reducing the formation of such cells.

Despite the fact that this study was done in vitro, evidence suggests that lauric acid may also trigger cancer cell death.

Aids in the relief of the symptoms of gallbladder disease and pancreatitis

According to one study, using coconut oil has been shown to relieve the symptoms of gallbladder illness. It helps to alleviate the discomfort to some extent. Furthermore, it has been claimed that the MCFAs found in coconut oil do not require pancreatic enzymes to break down, easing the load on the pancreas.

Reduction In symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

One of the primary causes of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. It is a degenerative neurological condition that primarily affects the elderly. It weakens your brain cells, making it harder to recall information and do routine and easy day-to-day activities. It impairs the brain's capacity to use glucose. It may be inherited or arise as a result of brain surgery. There is no sure therapy as of yet. However, the symptoms can be greatly reduced. One of the substances that is supposed to help with the lessening of those symptoms is coconut oil. Coconut oil, as we all know, includes ketones, which work as an alternative energy source. During the early stages of Alzheimer's, it can aid brain cells by giving them energy. According to a 2006 study report, MCTs increase brain function in persons with moderate Alzheimer's. Because coconut oil contains a high concentration of MCTs, it raises the amount of ketones in the blood and aids in the treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms.

To reap the advantages, eat one teaspoon of coconut oil with meals 2-3 times each day. Although coconut oil is beneficial, you should always be mindful of the amount you consume and how it affects your body.

Safeguard hair

Coconut oil is known to be a haircare miracle worker.

According to a recent study, coconut oil thoroughly penetrates the root and strengthens the hair strands. It strengthens and protects the hair, preventing it from breaking.

Coconut oil nourishes and hydrates the scalp, treating it as dry. It also protects your skin and hair from UV rays. It maintains your hair silky and tangle-free. It encourages hair growth by being absorbed into the roots. Coconut oil is also supposed to protect your hair from the effects of heat styling. There is no need for heat protectants if you apply coconut oil to your hair.

Increases HDL, aka the good cholesterol

A kind of healthy cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which absorbs cholesterol and returns it to the liver. The cholesterol is subsequently flushed from the body via the liver. It is believed that having a high amount of high-density lipoprotein makes you less susceptible to heart disease and stroke.

The majority of your body's cholesterol is composed of low-density lipoprotein. Plague is caused by a high amount of LDL on the blood vessel walls. It becomes deposited, causing the blood flow route to becoming exceedingly narrow. As a result of the high level of LDL, numerous regions of the body do not receive adequate blood flow and oxygen, increasing the risk of heart attack and heart disease. High LDL cholesterol is the cause of any tightness in your breathing.

Experiments and research have indicated that consuming coconut oil raises HDL, but there has been no evidence of a rise in LDL. The use of coconut oil has resulted in a 15-20% rise in HDL levels in the blood. The saturated acid, known as lauric acid, is metabolized so that it causes no harm to your body. On the other hand, it improves the advantages to your body, particularly to your skin and heart.

Fights with diabetes

According to certain research, consuming coconut oil provides some diabetes-related advantages. Although it can not cure or prevent diabetes, it is believed that consuming coconut oil with a high fructose content can help improve your blood sugar and insulin levels, which are the primary symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Because coconut oil is high in medium-chain fatty acids, it is thought that these fatty acids aid in regulating obesity and developing insulin resistance. Medium-chain fatty acids are claimed to reduce fat formation. As a result, it is advised that you incorporate coconut oil into your diet. All of these advantages are only shown in type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes. Another minor investigation was carried out on 9–10 guys. They were instructed to drink coconut oil for eight weeks, and the results revealed that it raised sensitivity to insulin, insulin functioned better, and insulin moved sugar from the bloodstream to the cells. Another trial on senior rats with type 2 diabetes revealed that their cholesterol levels reduced after consuming coconut oil, but their glucose tolerance rose.

Although it is advantageous from most perspectives, it is a crowded battle. Though there is no relationship between saturated fat and heart disease, it is believed that saturated fat raises cholesterol levels, which is one of the causes of heart stroke.

Helps in fungal diseases

Coconut oil helps treat fungal infections such as candida. It's an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. This fungal infection can also occur within the mouth, which is referred to as "oral thrush." Joint discomfort, lethargy, tiredness, digestive difficulties, skin infections, and nail infections are all typical complaints. Coconut oil is beneficial for this type of illness. Applying extra virgin coconut oil, which is pure coconut oil-free of preservatives, to the illness or diseased region would be beneficial. If you have Orla thursh, you can use 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil as a mouthwash for 10-15 minutes.

It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antibacterial qualities that aid in cleansing infection and inflammation and preventing its spread.

If you acquire an infection at first, this is a smart idea. It is treated in the comfort of one's own home. However, if the illness becomes severe or spreads quickly, it is best to consult a doctor and start taking antibiotics.

Helps in liver health

One of the most essential organs in the human body is the liver. It degrades blood and converts it into simpler components, regulating and producing nutrients in the body and aiding metabolism. It converts medications into simpler, harmless molecules that the rest of the body can use. It synthesizes protein as well as stores and delivers nutrients and minerals to the body. It also secretes hormones and creates bile juice for digestion. Medium-chain fatty acids, which are found in the liver, are generated from medium-chain triglycerides, which are found in 70% of coconut oil. When coconut oil is ingested, medium-chain triglycerides are transferred from the digestive system to the liver. They do not accumulate like other fatty acids; instead, they are promptly turned into energy, making the liver's job easier because the workload is lowered. Because coconut oil contains anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities, it also benefits and protects the liver from infection by destroying germs adhering to the liver.

Lower the blood pressure

Blood pressure is often defined as the force of blood circulation on the artery walls. High blood pressure is caused by a variety of causes, including a high intake of salt, fat, and cholesterol. It may also be genetic if you have renal issues, hormone imbalance, or high blood pressure family history. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-6 fatty acids, found in several types of vegetable oil and soya-bean oil, are thought to raise blood pressure. Even though coconut oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it does not have the same impact as they do. It does the opposite; it widens the blood vessels and decreases inflammation in the arteries. According to a study, it has shown some changes, but it is not claimed to lower blood pressure to a great level.

Conclusion

Coconut is widely utilized and has several health advantages. Both externally and purposefully, it is one of the safest oils to use and has no negative side effects. However, you should constantly keep track of how much coconut oil you ingest. Excessive amounts of anything may be harmful. Excessive use of coconut oil may have an adverse effect on your heart as well as your blood pressure. While coconut oil is healthy, it does not outperform any medical treatments. So, if any of the symptoms mentioned above worsen, it is important to seek medical assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it OK to apply oil on my face?

Coconut oil is well-known as a natural moisturizer for the skin, hair, and hands. It contains anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities and is applied straight to the face. It also aids in the treatment of inflammation. Though it is recommended, persons with oily skin should exercise caution because the addition of more oil may induce a serious outbreak.

Is it safe to consume coconut oil at night?

According to one research, coconut oil includes a saturated fat called hexadecanoic acid, which may induce sleep problems. As a result, consuming coconut oil before or throughout the night is not advised. However, you can drink olive oil because it contains unsaturated fat and improves heart health.

Is it safe to use coconut oil on a regular basis?

Coconut is utilized in a variety of cuisines and is consumed virtually daily in many regions of India. It is claimed to be good for your heart, liver, and overall wellness. Though it is healthful, you should not consume too much coconut oil because it contains a lot of saturated fat and may raise your cholesterol levels. As a result, it is preferable to consume 1-2 spoons on alternate days.

What are the dangers or demerits of coconut oil?

Though it has lauric acid and MCTs, which are beneficial for a healthy heart and body, over consumption of coconut oil may lead to an increase in cholesterol and may cause various heart diseases and strokes. So it's not advisable to consume coconut oil in huge amounts.

When is the best time to use coconut oil?

Many individuals recommend eating coconut oil before bed to help with digestion and to keep your metabolism operating smoothly since it burns fat and gives energy. In some situations, however, it is advisable to take it first thing in the morning. People have even claimed that eating coconut oil increases their energy levels since it has the ability to transform fats into useful energy.

What is the significance of the term "virgin coconut oil"?

Typically, virgin coconut oil refers to oil that has been little treated. Virgin coconut oil does not go through the bleaching, scent, or refining processes. Virgin coconut is often produced from fresh coconuts with no preservatives applied. Furthermore, pure coconut oil has many more advantages than processed coconut oil.

What are the disadvantages of using coconut oil?

Coconut oil can induce diarrhoea, nighttime discomfort, and severe cramps if ingested in large quantities. If taken in excess, it might raise the amount of LDL in your blood, which is one of the reasons for the rise in heart attacks and ailments.

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