Coconut oil has become a sort of superstar of the natural health world in recent years. It is hard, in fact, to scan any e-magazine or social media site without hearing something about its amazing health benefits. This marks something of a change: coconut oil is, of course, extremely high in fat (more on that later!) and in the low-fat crazy of the 1980’s and 1990’s, it and other oils were shunned because of the fear that they would lead to weight problems and to atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks. Now, as the medical community finds more and more evidence that a diet high in certain fats can actually be good for the body, coconut oil has come into its own. Read on to find out more about the exciting benefits hat coconut oil can give the body.
Coconut Oil provides healthy fats
Coconut oil is around 90% saturated fat, which was castigated during the low fat craze and blamed for heart disease. Now, researchers continue to uncover that fact that the medium chain fatty acids which make up coconut oil are actually metabolized quickly (rather than being stored as fat in the body) and are not linked to atherosclerosis.
Populations that consume coconut oil tend to be healthy
Around the world, many countries (particularly those in the tropics) have long used the coconut in all its forms as an important source of nutrition. And the populations that do so are known for their longevity and good health. For example, one specific group of Polynesian islanders who derived approximately 60% of their diet from the coconut have very little evidence of heart disease, while here in America, it remains the number one killer of men and women both.
Coconut oil can boost energy and aid weight loss
In developed countries especially, obesity and fatigue are both serious and widespread chronic conditions. Coconut can help with both of these problems: because of the way it is metabolized, the oil provides the body with a quick source of energy and this can help fight fatigue. Coconut oil also has a positive effect on the metabolism, making it easier to shed unwanted pounds.
Coconut oil can fight infections
Coconut oil is also rich in a compound called lauric acid. This acid has proven effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi. This is why it can be used both topically and orally to help fight off infections. For example, a common cause of dandruff is actually an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp: regular use of coconut oil can treat this due to its strong antifungal properties.
These are just a few of the reasons why coconut oil has become so highly prized among those who want to find natural ways to be healthy. It is a wonderful fat to add to the diet and will give the body a variety of benefits – some of which science might not yet even be aware of!
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