After many studies, today there is no doubt that coconut oil is extraordinary for our health. It has been shown to aid weight loss, improve the immune system, have antioxidant properties, and have numerous cosmetic uses.
Coconut oil is essentially made up of good fats (87% in total) . These fats are medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and not long chain, as is normally found in food. The advantage is that these triglycerides are much better absorbed by the body, mainly by the liver and then converted into energy and not transformed into fat in the body . Some research has shown that coconut fat works even for people with diabetes or thyroid problems.
We have delved even more into coconut oil with two specific articles, do not miss them:
There are two types of this functional food: refined and organic. The first is made from dried coconut, while the second is made from fresh coconut. Typically, coconut oil is in a liquid state at high temperatures, and below 25 degrees its natural state is solid and white. It is normal for it to spoil or go rancid, even when stored for some time
Index
Coconut oil benefits
To realize the beneficial effects on your health, experts recommend that you consume one or two tablespoons a day . See what will happen if you include coconut oil in your daily diet:
- Less accumulation of fat in the body: As it passes quickly through the liver due to its smaller molecule chains, coconut oil is not stored as fat in the body.
- Extra calorie burn: The rapid digestion of coconut fats stimulates metabolism and promotes weight loss. It is as if the internal fire that burns the calories in food is increased, converting them into energy.
- Reduction of measurements in the waist: It is proven that the consumption of coconut oil favors the elimination of the fat that is deposited in the belly. The exact reasons are still unknown to science, but it is believed that the oil acts directly on some hormones related to the accumulation of these reserves in the abdomen.
- Hunger control: On the one hand, coconut oil increases the burning of calories and, on the other, it helps reduce the feeling of hunger. One possible explanation for this is that the liquid must act by increasing the level of the hormone responsible for the feeling of fullness.
- Antioxidant action: Collaborates with the decrease in the production of free radicals. This is mainly due to the direct action of vitamin E present in organic coconut oil .
- Improves the immune system : It acts in the prevention and fight against worms, bacteria and fungi, and restores the energy stolen by these agents. Consequently, it improves the absorption of nutrients by increasing all the body’s defenses. Coconut oil has the highest concentration of lauric acid among all vegetable fats .
- Regulates intestinal function: In cases of constipation or diarrhea, coconut oil has fatty components that act by normalizing intestinal functions. At the same time, due to the lauric acid monolaurin, it helps to eliminate pathogenic (enemy) bacteria, protecting and promoting the growth of “friendly” flora.
We recommend that you read the following article on How to use Coconut Oil on the face and body
Contraindications and Side Effects of Organic or Refined Coconut Oil
Although it is considered a very healthy food, and as it is not a medicine, there are some cases in which the use of coconut oil is not recommended by experts. Mainly people with liver dysfunction, reflux and who have high cholesterol should avoid the consumption of this product.
The only attributable side effects would be the same as any type of oil, which is fattening, but that is why it is always said that moderate consumption is the best way to use it, although coconut oil, unlike extra virgin olive oil, does not achieve lower bad cholesterol so much.
Negative effects of coconut oil
Coconut oil, like other products made from coconut as well as the pulp of this fruit itself, has a high content of saturated fats , which are essentially triglycerides of saturated fatty acids, which increase cholesterol and therefore, they can cause many heart conditions and a host of other problems.
In this way, the negative effects that coconut oil causes are the following :
- Increases blood pressure: This type of oil causes hypertension in people, due to its content of saturated fats, since these accumulate on the walls of the arteries, also creating blockages of blood flow.
- Heart disease: Heart disease develops when the pressure in our body rises as well as cholesterol, since the arteries become clogged causing an impact on the function of the heart, so a heart attack can develop or heart failure.
- Weight gain: Due to the high amounts of fat, coconut oil can cause overweight, so its use should be very limited.
- Problems in metabolism: This oil can cause metabolic disorders due to the amount of hydrogen. It can also increase the level of sugar in the blood, causing diseases such as diabetes, insulin intolerance, among others …
- Intestinal problems: This oil contains antimicrobial properties, which can cause imbalances in the intestines.
- Diarrhea: Excessive consumption of coconut oil can cause diarrhea, due to the lack of control it can cause within our body, especially at the gastrointestinal level.
- Allergies: Coconut oil can cause an allergic reaction at the skin level, which is a common effect, whose effects are swelling, itching and hives, on a more serious level it can also cause vomiting, nausea and respiratory problems.
43 ways to use coconut oil
- To cook! You can heat it to high temperature and it does not rust .
- You can substitute unhealthy fats and oils (such as refined oils and margarine) with organic coconut oil.
- Add it to your teas , smoothies, soups and juices .
- You can add coconut oil to your coffee. It is delicious .
- To hydrate your body , especially in the driest areas like the knees and elbows.
- As a deodorant. Look at the recipe .
- As a make-up remover in the eye area.
- To lighten age spots if you apply it every day to the skin.
- To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
- To help increase your tolerance to sunlight and avoid burns.
- As a natural protection (4 SPF).
- You can use it for the skin of babies: it helps to hydrate and remove dry scabs.
- Topically to kill fungal or yeast infections .
- As a delicious body oil for massages.
- To eliminate hair frizz . Dab some on your hands, rub, and run through hair.
- As a body scrub . You just have to add a little brown sugar to the coconut oil and apply it on your body during the bath.
- To hydrate your lips and prevent them from drying out .
- You can use it directly on the hair, or added to your hydrating mask .
- It can help you relieve psoriasis or eczema.
- There is evidence that regular consumption of coconut oil can help you prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s disease.
- Mix it with apple or cider vinegar for a natural lice treatment .
- Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to ease allergy symptoms.
- It can help you improve insulin levels.
- Make a mouthwash in the morning to improve the health of your gums.
- Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil into your hot tea to help speed recovery from colds or flu.
- It acts as a tranquilizer for sunburn and can help speed up skin healing.
- It acts as a skin soother after waxing and shaving .
- When you use it on your skin, it can help you prevent and eliminate cellulite .
- It contains anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce arthritis problems.
- It can reduce the itchiness of mosquito bites.
- Massage your scalp to strengthen your hair and stimulate its growth.
- It can help you with acne problems when you use it regularly.
- You can use it to hydrate leather clothing (use small amounts).
- Use it to dilute the essential oils that you use on your skin and hair.
- Coconut oil, if you eat it, will help you absorb vitamin D , calcium, and magnesium.
- Some evidence indicates that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety.
- Help your pets recover from skin problems when applied externally.
- You can use it as a moisturizer for your hands.
- You can ease the pain of hemorrhoids when you use it topically.
- To hydrate your cuticles and nails helping them to grow properly.
- Daily intake of coconut oil can improve your mental performance .
- Due to its bactericidal power on the skin, you can use it to heal wounds, insect bites and burns; to relieve eczema and contact dermatitis, and to help treat herpes and yeast infections.
- You can use coconut oil as a facial moisturizer. In addition to hydrating your skin, it will fight wrinkles. This is because it lubricates the skin, allowing nutrients from the blood to reach the upper layers.
We have delved even more into coconut oil with two specific articles, do not miss them:
And the coconut oil capsules?
In my opinion, it is always best to consume organic coconut oil. The oil in capsules, depending on the origin, may contain mixtures with other products or impurities, and does not guarantee the beneficial effects that natural oil provides. If you choose to use capsules, try to find a reliable company.
You should take 2 capsules of 1000 mg daily with water, before meals or as directed by a nutritionist.
We leave you the most recommended that you can buy online.
- Coconut oil pearls, 100% natural. 90 capsules, nutritional supplement, medium chain triglycerides.
- Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Capsules. TCM oil with great benefits. Essential fatty acids to lose weight naturally, 1000mg, double capsules with 180 units.
- Real Herbs Organic Coconut Oil Capsules 2000mg. Increases immunity, maintains cholesterol and blood glucose, Full of health benefits – 60 Gelatin Capsules.
- Naturtierra Coconut Oil Pearls – 30 Capsules
- Coconut oil capsules.
- Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Capsules.
Where to buy coconut oil?
You can find it in some supermarkets and natural products stores. To buy it online, my recommendation is Amazon, it has a wide variety of coconut oil-based products, including, of course, organic coconut oil .
- Pure organic extra virgin coconut oil Mituso 1000 ml
- Coconut Oil – 1L Organic Extra Virgin Pure Coconut Oil
- Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 500 ml Naturseed, FREE Ebook. Cold extraction, natural energy source, for athletes, weight loss, food supplement, for cooking, as a moisturizer for you and your baby, for hair, for teeth, also for your dog and cat.
- Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 1L, from FIJI ISLANDS, natural coconut oil, cold extraction, diet coconut oil, beauty coconut oil, coconut skin oil.
- NATURACEREAL Pure, virgin and organic Coconut Oil PREMIUM 500ml
- 1000ml Arnetica extra virgin coconut oil, 1L, natural product certified organic, native, cold pressed, unprocessed, VEGAN
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Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.