Coconut meat, water, and oil all provide significant health benefits. The oil, in particular, is lately gaining new acceptance as a superfood. For many years, health professionals advised against consuming too much coconut oil because of its high amount of saturated fats. Many organizations continue to dissuade the public from using it often, including the Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, and the American Heart Association. According to recent research, however, these health professionals need to get on board with this food, which is being proven to be a smart choice for daily consumption.
USEFULNESS OF COCONUT
Weight loss: A study that gave dieting women either soybean oil or coconut oil every day, found that those consuming the coconut oil saw a reduction in the circumference of their waists, while those eating soybean oil did not. Both groups of women consumed the same foods and took the same type of exercise during the study. A well-documented metabolic stimulator, consuming coconut oil is one of the easiest ways to increase your metabolism.
Cholesterol: The women in the weight loss study who consumed coconut oil every day also saw an improvement in their cholesterol levels. The level of HDL, or good cholesterol, increased, while the level of LDS, or bad cholesterol, decreased for these women. Those who consumed soybean oil experienced the opposite result.
Antimicrobial effects: Studies have also shown that coconut oil can act as an antimicrobial agent, killing fungus and bacteria. It has been shown to kill fungus that has become resistant to synthetic drugs. Additional research has found that coconut oil can kill the bacteria causes tooth decay. Even after you have ingested coconut oil, it maintains the ability to stop the growth of bacteria, which producing acid causes your teeth to decay.
Acne: The antimicrobial effect of coconut oil means that it can also help you prevent and heal acne. The compound in the oil thought to produce this effect, lauric acid, survives digestion intact and enters the bloodstream. From there, it is attracted to the oil glands in your skin and helps to reduce bacteria there. The bacteria in your oil glands are what causes outbreaks of acne.
Damaged hair: Coconut oil is not just for your physical well-being, it can improve your looks too. Protein loss from hair causes it to become weakened and then damaged. The result is frayed, frizzy, and dry hair. In a study that compared the application of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil to hair, the latter came out on top. Coconut oil reduced protein loss in both damaged hair and hair that was still healthy, most likely because it is better able to penetrate individual shafts of hair than the other oils.
Hydration: Coconut water has become very trendy lately, and for a good reason. The water of the coconut fruit is packed with natural electrolytes that your body needs, especially when you have been active. Sports drinks are designed to rehydrate you by giving you water and electrolytes, but they also contain high fructose corn syrup or other sugars. Coconut water is all natural and contains only the sugars that were in the fruit to begin with.
Alzheimer’s disease: One of the most exciting new areas of coconut oil research is in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This devastating illness that afflicts some people as they age has resisted traditional medical treatment. A doctor in Florida, however, has recognized that one promising drug for treating the disease was nothing other than medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat, from coconut oil. She treated her own husband, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, with coconut oil. It slowed the procession of the disease and even reversed some of the symptoms.
Pneumonia: A study conducted by physicians found that children with pneumonia who were given coconut oil as well as antibiotic treatment recovered more quickly than those who received antibiotics alone. The oil seemed to help clear up breathing, reduce fevers, and improve blood oxygenation.
Energy: Most fatty foods contain fats that are made up of long chains of carbon. The fats in coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids, or MCFAs. Because they are shorter they do not need to be digested by the liver and gall bladder. When you consume coconut oil, then, you get a much faster source of energy than compared to other fatty foods. People who have had the gall bladder removed often have a fat-restricted diet, but can consume foods with MCFAs.
In addition to the above reasons to use coconut oil, it may also protect against cancer, provide the body with antioxidants to fight degenerative diseases, help regulate hormones, relive the symptoms of chronic fatigue, strengthen the liver, regulate thyroid function, and boost your immunity.
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