15 Little Known Benefits Of Coconut Oil
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Don’t you just love a multipurpose item? Particularly a food item. Coconut oil is one of nature’s little gifts. If you’re looking for earth-based ways to flavor food, trying to lead a more holistic life, interested in treating complexion issues, adding shine to your hair, or even alleviating some physical ailments, you should add coconut oil to your shopping list.
You’ll likely notice there are several brands of coconut oil offered by your local store and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. The price discrepancies are massive too. One 15-ounce jar may be $6.99 while the one next to it is $17.99. The best move is to go with coconut oils labeled “extra virgin,” “unrefined,” or “cold-pressed.” These products have gone through the least amount of processing. If that means getting the slightly pricier jar, the good news is that a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. In some cases, one jar can last you for months, if not more. Now let’s get into the unexpected uses and benefits.
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Strengthen skin barrier
Coconut oil may help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. In one study, participants who applied coconut oil to their skin and were then exposed to UV rays saw a lower inflammation response to the rays than those in the group who used mineral oils, or no oils. Consider mixing it in with your sunscreen for extra protection.
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Improve cholesterol
It’s no secret that there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. In order to boost your good cholesterol, you need to eat good fats, like coconut oil. They increase your intake of medium-chain triglycerides, which can boost that good cholesterol. One study of patients who consumed two tablespoons a day for two months saw significant improvements in their good cholesterol.
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Improve liver health
One animal study found that consuming virgin coconut oil could help reverse fatty liver disease. The effect could have something to do with the liver being able to easily process coconut oil into ketones, a special type of energy the body needs to function.
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Heal minor wounds
While coconut oil cannot help heal a massive wound, it may help speed up the healing of minor cuts and wounds. One study found that applying it to small wounds reduces inflammation and boosts collagen, which helps strengthen the skin and get it back to fighting condition.
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Fight diabetes
Coconut oil may be an important item on the grocery list of those with type 2 diabetes, or anyone who has diabetes in their family medical history. It can help preserve insulin sensitivity, according to one study, which is an integral part of fighting diabetes.
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Promote oral health
Oil pulling has been used for decades as a cleansing procedure in the medical field. When used in oil pulling, coconut oil specifically can protect against cavities and gingivitis, and balance the healthy bacteria in the mouth, making it a useful tool in oral hygiene.
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Strengthen bones
One study found that consuming coconut oil regularly could lead to an increase in bone volume, and an improved bone structure. If you are concerned about developing osteoporosis – a condition that plagues a lot of women – consider consuming coconut oil every day, along with calcium and vitamin D.
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Alleviate eczema
If you suffer from dry, itchy skin, and have tried every over-the-counter product out there, consider trying simple virgin coconut oil. In one study, patients with eczema and other conditions that cause irritated skin applied coconut oil to their skin for eight weeks and had better results than participants who used mineral oil.
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Deep frying
Even if you don’t want to deep fry anything, if you need to cook something at high heat, use coconut oil. Unlike many other oils, it retains its structure (i.e. won’t burn) when cooked at a high heat. Some popular cooking oils, like corn and safflower, can even become toxic at high heats.
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Battle stress
Researchers fed coconut oil to rats to study how it affects their stress response, particularly after being exposed to cold temperatures. They found that it boosts brain antioxidants, which can result in reduced stress, and helps the body bounce back quicker after stressful situations.
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Suppress appetite
If you have a difficult time putting an end to a meal, try having a spoonful of coconut oil with dessert. The fats in this oil metabolize into ketones, an alternative type of fuel your body can make use of. As a result, you feel full quickly because your body registers the oil as getting enough energy, without consuming many more calories.
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Treat very dry skin
While coconut oil can alleviate the itchy skin that comes with eczema, it can also be effective in treating particularly dry skin – like cracked heels with deep ridges in them. If your skin is so dry that it’s become calloused, consider applying coconut oil to the area every day.
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Fight hair damage
Lauric acid, the main fatty acid found in coconut oil, gets deep into the hair shaft. As a result, it can create a protective barrier against products. Both those with already damaged hair and healthy air can benefit from applying coconut oil to their hair after shampooing.
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Prevent obesity
The Medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil can improve the body’s energy expenditure, helping human bodies put the calories they consume to work, faster. To put it simply, coconut oil can boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories.
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Fight gut infection
If you have a sensitive stomach and are traveling somewhere where you fear food may give you a tummy ache, carry coconut oil. It may help prevent diarrhea, as one study found it inhibits the growth of a particular bacteria in the intestines.
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