Coconuts has gradually become a versatile food commodity, it is mostly used in our daily cuisine to our beauty regimens. sometimes ago coconuts had a bad reputation as being an artery clogging, cholesterol packed food that contributed to heart disease.
Today however, the coconut is making a huge comeback as the new miracle food. Coconuts are highly nutritious, rich in fiber, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Whenever your are intending to eat healthy and substitute unhealthy foods with something better? Why not try coconut oil? There have been thousands of trials that have proved coconut oil to be extremely healthy.
This oil is easy to digest and is not stored as bodily fat. It contains healthy fats or triglycerides such as Capric acid, Caprylic acid, and Lauric acid. Coconut oil has healthy saturated fats, unlike butter or margarine which is full of unsaturated fats. This makes coconut oil a healthy alternative to add to your meals. here are 7 health benefits of coconut oil you should know.
1. Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
Coconut oil has been proven to prevent heart dosease and high blood pressure, coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body, but also help to convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterols.
By Increasing the HDL’s in the body, it helps promote heart health, and lower the risk of heart disease.
2. Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Coconut oil has two qualities that help it fight cancer. One, because of the ketones produced in it’s digestion. Tumor cells are not able to access the energy in ketones and are glucose dependent.
It is believed that a ketogenic diet could be a possible component of helping cancer patients recover.
Two, as the MCFA’s digest the lipid walls of bacteria, they also can kill the helicobacter pylori bacteria that has been known as increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Even in studies where cancer is chemically induced, the introduction of coconut oil prevents cancer from developing!
3. It Prevents tooth decay
Coconut oil has been known to prevent tooth decay and treat gum disease.Oil pulling or gargling with oils is an ayurvedic method used to promote oral health. Oil pulling with coconut oil prevents periodontal disease and can even reverse the effects of tooth decay.
This is because the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil kill the bacteria that cause decay. Besides that, it also treats halitosis and strengthens the gums and teeth
4. Reduces inflammation and arthritis
coconut reduces inflammation and heals arthritis because of the presence of high level antioxidants present in them, Pure coconut oil contains antioxidants that promote healing and soothes the symptoms of inflammation.
It can also treats painful joints and act as a mild pain killer. These anti-inflammatory properties make coconut oil a highly effective analgesic. In fact, many studies have shown that virgin coconut oil is more effective as a painkiller than many over-the-counter drugs.
5. Boosts the immune system
Coconut oil has several antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It contains lauric acid which fights bacteria and creates a hostile environment for viruses.
This protects the body from a number of diseases. You can replace butter, oil, and sugar in your diet with coconut oil as it is great for cooking and is also a natural sweetener. It is also possible to treat mild colds by taking a tablespoon of coconut oil three times a day.
6. Helps with skin issues
Coconut oil is a great skin cleanser used to treat dandruff, sunburn, psoriasis and eczema. The fatty acids present in the oil can reduce inflammation caused by acne and this also makes it useful for treating rashes.
The antioxidants in coconut oil also make it perfect for slowing down wrinkles and preventing sun tans. Coconut oil also has antimicrobial properties that make it perfect to use as a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Many people use coconut oil to make their own soaps, deodorants, and lotions.
7. Coconut Oil for Anti-aging
According to research published in the medical journal Food and Function, coconut oil improves antioxidant levels and can slow aging. Coconut oil works by reducing stress on the liver and by lowering oxidative stress.
Also, they found that coconut oil may support detoxification because of how it works with the liver. To naturally slow aging take 1 tbsp of coconut oil with anti-oxidant rich berries for breakfast. You can also apply it directly to skin for additional benefits and smoothing.
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