From cooking to hair care, coconut oil has been a staple ingredient in the tropical regions. It’s always been a go-to option in many Asian, especially Indian households since ancient times.
People use it for cooking, as a hair mask, and even for oil pulling in dental care. The recent discoveries on unrefined coconut oil benefits have taken the wellness industry by storm.
But have you ever wondered what makes this oil so special that people have been using it for literally everything?
Well, join us as we unveil the health benefits of coconut oil along with its nutritional profile and see how safe consuming this oil can be.
List of 15 Coconut Oil Benefits for Body and Mind
Over the years, coconut oil has proved to be a versatile wellness booster that supports your natural health and aids in cognitive development of your brain. Here are a few coconut oil benefits for your body and mind!
1. Helps in Weight Loss
Although coconut oil is slightly high in calories, studies have shown that it may encourage fat burning, as it is a rich source of medium-chain triglycerides, which aid in weight management and loss. So, due to the high concentration of MCTs, it increases the calorie-burning process.
2. Boosts Energy
Due to chylomicron molecules, it serves as a powerhouse of energy. It passes the chylomicrons via the lymphatic system to the liver and other organs and gives a sudden energy boost. It works pretty similarly to carbs and acts as a rapid energy source that can be absorbed faster.
3. Antimicrobial Properties
The National Library of Medicine states that pure coconut oil benefits include antimicrobial properties and can destroy the lipid-coated bacteria by disintegrating their lipid membrane. It is also said to have antifungal properties with lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid.
4. Treats and Hydrates Skin
Some people use coconut oil for cosmetic purposes, as it has hydrating and nourishing properties, which really helps in moisturizing the skin and treating the skin barrier. Apart from preventing water loss, it shields your skin from infectious agents, irritants, and allergens.
5. Combats Diabetes
The unrefined coconut oil, when added to a high-fructose diet, helps in improving the overall blood sugar levels. It increases the oxidative capacity of muscles, which leads to less fat storage and better insulin action.
6. Helps With Asthma
Virgin coconut oil promotes the formation of relaxing prostanoids and decreases leukotrienes, which somehow improves impaired relaxation caused by asthma. It prevents negative modulation of β receptors/BKCa pathway by TGF-β and hence is proven as an alternative therapy against allergic asthma.
7. May Reduce Seizures
When incorporated in a keto diet, coconut oil can prove to help reduce seizures. As per the medical research, the lack of glucose to fuel brain cells has something to do with the ketogenic diet and seizure reduction. However, the information is limited, so we suggest consulting a physician before adding it to the diet.
8. Has Healing Properties
Pure coconut oil has been used since ancient times to heal wounds and injuries. Its high saturated fat content with antioxidants like lauric acid assists in treating radical damage, prevents inflammation, increases collagen production, and supports the process of healing by creating skin tissues.
9. Enhances Brain Health
This magical oil can prove to be an effective brain strengthener, as it has MCTs from saturated fat that help brain cells draw energy and create an alternate energy source for the brain. Additionally, it protects neurons from damage, prevents plaque formation, and stimulates cognitive development.
10. Controls Glucose Spikes
Adding cold-pressed coconut oil to the diet can enhance insulin secretion and prevent glucose spikes. Besides, it also protects the pancreas from straining by creating an independent energy source other than glucose.
11. Boosts Immunity
Unrefined coconut oil benefits include an immunity boost, as it is loaded with antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal agents like lauric acid and caprylic acid, which boost the immunity and create a protective shield against lethal pathogens and bacteria.
12. Manages Oral Hygiene
As per a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, oil pulling with coconut oil can have a positive effect on your oral health and is a cost-effective method to maintain dental hygiene.
During oil pulling, you swish your mouth with coconut oil, which extracts the harmful bacteria, mainly S. mutans. Furthermore, the lauric acid reacts with the saliva and creates a soap-like compound to prevent cavities and dental plaque.
13. Supports Hair Health
Pure coconut oil has deep moisturizing properties, which make it a good hair oil. It penetrates firmly into your hair strands, locks in the moisture, increases the overall strength of your hair, and prevents it from breaking under tension.
14. Loaded With Antioxidants
It is indeed a great source of antioxidants like tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, flavonoids, and polyphenols. These antioxidants offer anti-inflammatory and neurological protective effects.
15. Helps in Alzheimer’s
n Alzheimer’s, the brain cells do not receive sufficient glucose, but some research shows symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be reduced with a ketone diet, as it has coconut oil as an alternative energy source for brain cells.
What Makes the Nutritional Profile of Coconut Oil So Unique?
Due to its high nutritional content, the unrefined coconut oil benefits are appreciated among people. From hair care to dental care, people are going crazy when using this magical potion. So let’s take a quick look at the nutritional profile and see what makes it so appealing to the masses.
| Nutrient | Amount Per 1 Tablespoon |
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Total Fat | 14 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 11 to 12 grams |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.8 to 1 gram |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 to 0.5 grams |
| Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) | 62% of total fat |
| Lauric Acid | 45 to 50% of the total fat |
Lauric acid is rich in antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes coconut a good option for cooking. High levels of MCTs also help with quick digestion and support brain health, boost metabolism, and help with weight management.
However, there are some side effects of coconut oil that we have discussed in great detail in the upcoming section, so give it a good read.
Disclaimer❗
Do not add coconut oil to your diet without consulting a licensed medical practitioner, as it is a saturated fat and might not be suitable for some people, especially those with an underlying heart condition. Besides, pregnant women or breastfeeding women should also consult the doctor before orally consuming this oil.
Are There Any Negative Effects of Coconut Oil?
Yes, due to its high fat content, coconut oil does have some negative effects.
- As per the American Heart Association, regular oral consumption of coconut oil can increase the LDL levels, which is the bad cholesterol present in the body, and make you vulnerable to heart stroke and other heart-related diseases.
- Furthermore, it can also cause digestive issues like nausea, stomachache, and diarrhea. Watch out for any of these symptoms if you have recently added this oil to your diet.
- Due to its high calorie content, it can also lead to weight gain, especially when consumed in large amounts.
- Lastly, some people might observe the allergic reactions, which are pretty rare. Usually it’s a skin rash and bad bowel movements, but in extreme cases the patient might have difficulty breathing.
So, regardless of the versatile coconut oil benefits, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans clearly state that people with a 2000-calorie diet should not consume more than 20 g of saturated fat each day, no matter how active their lifestyle is.
What to Consider While Adding Coconut Oil to Your Diet?
Though coconut oil is loaded with multiple health benefits, there are a few things that you should keep in mind while using it; they are as follows:
- Coconut oil contains saturated fat; when consumed in a diet, it can increase cholesterol levels. So be mindful while using it for cooking, and try not to exceed the 10 ml limit two or three times daily.
- Breastfeeding and pregnant women should totally avoid the oral consumption of this oil, as there’s no scientific study backing its safety in pregnancy.
- Children should also avoid its consumption, especially the oral intake.
- Heart patients should also avoid this oil, considering it’s high in saturated fat.
- Do not use the brands that partially contain hydrogenated coconut oil.
- Store it in a cool and dark place, as it solidifies when kept at room temperature.
Wrapping Up
The coconut oil benefits are time-tested, as our former generations have been using it for ages. Even Ayurveda mentions the soothing, cooling, and calming properties that coconut oil has.
So if you want to give your health a natural boost, you should definitely give this magical oil a try!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is eating a spoonful of coconut oil good for you?
Ans: Coconut oil is a saturated fat; while consuming one spoonful of coconut oil might offer health benefits, it is not safe to consume it regularly due to the high concentration of fat.
Q2: What is coconut oil best for?
Ans: The coconut oil is good for nourishing your hair, hydrating skin, and dental care, and is loaded with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antifungal properties.
Q3: Does coconut oil whiten teeth?
Ans: There’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that coconut oil has teeth-whitening properties. It does offer some antibacterial benefits, which can help in eliminating tooth discoloration.
