Coconut Oil Can Help Improve Brain Functioning
Coconut oil appears to be more than just a cooking ingredient. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a study about how coconut oil benefits brain functioning. It found that people who had Alzheimer’s disease or dementia had improved brain functioning after they were on a coconut-oil enriched diet for 21 days.
Another study found that the medium-chain triglyceride (MCTs) in coconut oil delivered improvements to the memory issues the older participants were experiencing. All participants benefited from the MCTs and saw significant improvement in memory.
The MCTs are digested in the liver and converted to ketones. Ketones are produced during fat conversion for energy purposes and are noted for their ability to help prevent neuron degeneration.
The primary energy source for the brain is glucose. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, it appears that neurons become resistant to insulin and thus fail to utilize glucose. As a result, they gradually lose function
On the other hand, ketones could provide a viable alternative to fuel the brain. Coconut oil is important because the MCTs help increase ketone levels in the body without much dietary change.
Coconut Oil Can Help Protect The Skin
Coconut oil is a popular moisturizer that can help skin look and feel better. It is popular because it contains three types of fatty acids, which are good for the skin. Coconut oil also contains vitamins A, E, and D that are essential for healthy skin.
Coconut oil is often used as a moisturizer to soothe dry or sun-damaged skin. It can also be used to treat eczema or psoriasis by providing the right kind of lubrication for the affected area.
Sometimes, picking up a skin infection can be caused by factors like bacteria and fungi. Skin infections like acne, cellulitis, or athlete’s foot are often the result of such infections. Some medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil (MCFAs) can protect against infection-causing microbes.
A study has shown that people who use coconut oil on their skin have better protection against sun damage than those who use other moisturizers like mineral oil and petroleum jelly. However, coconut oil does not offer adequate protection against the sun to warrant it being used as a sunscreen.
Coconut Oil Can Help With Weight Loss
Coconut oil is the latest weight-loss trend that has been making headlines. It may seem like an odd idea, but it is backed up by science.
Coconut oil can help burn fat because of its MCT content which helps convert dietary fat into energy. MCTs can increase your calorie expenditure by about 5% per day, which can result in a weight loss of as much as 36,000 calories over a year.
Coconut oil may reduce hunger and make you feel full. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that men who ate MCTs at breakfast consumed fewer calories for lunch.
Other research has shown that using coconut oil may cause a reduction in belly fat. A 4-week study (with 20 participants) demonstrated that taking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of this oil daily significantly reduces waist circumference in males.
While coconut oil may not be for everyone, it can still be an excellent addition to your diet if you are looking to lose weight.
Coconut Oil Can Help Improve Heart Health
Multiple studies have shown that coconut oil is great for heart health. One study found that 50% of the fats in coconut oil are MCTs, which can be easily absorbed by the intestine and utilized to produce energy
The results of another study show that a coconut oil-rich diet leads to an increase of good cholesterol levels (HDL cholesterol) and a reduction in bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol).
Coconut Oil Can Help Improve Health of the Teeth
Research has proven that the use of coconut oil in pulling teeth can help against periodontal diseases which are caused by chronic inflammation of the gums.
Coconut oil pulling is a simple and effective way of cleaning the teeth and gums without using any chemicals. This method involves putting some coconut oil in your mouth, swish it around for 10 minutes, then spit it out.
The process of coconut oil pulling not only helps in keeping your teeth healthy but also helps in improving your overall oral health. Moreover, it’s fairly easy to do at home and doesn’t require much time or effort.
Coconut Oil Can Help Treat Candida
A study found that coconut oil is more effective for treating candida infection than fluconazole, a popular antifungal prescription drug. The study included Candida albicans and various other species. When drug-resistant fungal infections are now on the rise, the researchers recommend that coconut oil be used as a treatment for this condition.
