Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be considered "superfood". Its unique combination of medium-chain fatty acids can produce immense health benefits. These benefits include, for example, Weight loss, improving brain function and a long list of effects you won't want to miss. These are the 10 main benefits of the consumption of Virgin coconut oil and have been confirmed with scientific studies that support these statements.
1. Coconut oil contains a unique combination of fatty acids that endow it with very potent medicinal properties.
In the past, the use of coconut oil was demonized because it is a saturated fat. In fact, coconut oil is one of the few oils of vegetable origin rich in saturated fats, with almost 90% of its composition based on saturated fatty acids. However, all new studies suggest that the use of saturated fats in food is harmless and is more than proven that there is no relationship between their consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease, as they have made believe all These years. In addition, coconut oil does not contain the usual saturated fats found in red meat or cheese. On the contrary, it contains fats called medium-chain triglycerides, which are also found in breast milk, and which is more than proven to be Highly beneficial to the organism. Medium-chain fatty acids are metabolized differently than long-chain fatty acids, the usual ones in the diet. In particular, they pass directly to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as an immediate source of energy or become ketone bodies, which among other things can have therapeutic effects in the brain of patients of diseases such as Epilepsy or Alzheimer's.
In short: Coconut oil contains many medium-chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently from other fats and may have therapeutic effects in patients of various illnesses.
2. Populations that take a lot of coconut oil are among the healthiest on the planet.
We can consider coconut is an exotic food in the Western world, consumed mainly by people who care about their health. However, in some parts of the planet, Coco is one of the foundations of food since ancient times. The best example is found in the populations that live in the South Pacific. For example The Tribe of the Tokeluanos It ingests 60% of its daily calories from coconut and is the largest consumer of saturated fat on the planet. This tribe enjoys excellent health and there is no evidence of cardiovascular disease among its members. Another similar example is the Kitavans, with similar results.
In short: Many populations around the world have managed to thrive for multiple generations by eating large amounts of coconut and saturated fat.
3. Coconut oil can accelerate your metabolism by making you lose more fat.
Obesity is one of the biggest problems we face at this time. While some people are still stuck in the false belief that everything is due to a sum and subtraction of calories, The reality is quite different: It is equally important, if not more, to control the source of calories. It is not the same 10 calories from carbohydrates, that of proteins, or, as in The case of coconut oil, of saturated fat. It is a proven scientific fact that different foods have effects on our organism and their hormones in a different way. In this sense, a calorie is not "a calorie". The medium chain triglycerides present in coconut oil can increase the organism's energy expenditure when compared with the same amount of calories from long-chain fatty acids. A recent study found that ingesting between 15 and 30 grams of mid-chain triglycerides can accelerate our metabolism by up to 5%, or what is the same, about 120 kcal for most people. If you want more information about weight loss with coconut oil.
In short: the medium chain triglycerides present in coconut oil have been shown to increase the metabolism of people who consume it in just 24 hours, producing a higher energy expenditure in their organism, which in the long term can be a Significant weight loss.
4. The uric acid present in coconut oil can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi, helping to eliminate infections.
The uric acid accounts for almost 50% of the total fatty acids present in coconut oil. When the coconut oil is enzymatically digested, a monoglyceride called Monolauryl is formed. Both the uric acid and the monolauryl can kill pathogens such as bacteria, virus or fungi. These two substances have been shown to kill, for example, the bacterium Staphylococcus Aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and the yeast fungus Candida albicans, a common source of infection in the human species.
In short: the fatty acids and products that are created in their digestion can kill dangerous pathogens, helping to prevent infections.
#5. Coconut oil can reduce your appetite, helping you to eat less without even trying.
One of the most interesting aspects of coconut oil is that it can reduce your appetite. This may be due to how the fatty acids it contains are metabolized, because the ketone bodies that are formed can Help reduce appetite. In a recent study, different amounts of medium-and long-chain fatty acids were supplied to 6 healthy adults. Men who consumed most of the chain fatty acids Half, They ate throughout the day 256 calories less than average than those who took long-chain fatty acids. In another similar study in 14 healthy males, it was found that those who had breakfasted more medium-chain fatty acids ate significantly less calories during lunch. These studies were short and performed with few people, but if the effects persist over time, it could have a devastating influence on the body mass of subjects over a period of several years.
In short: The medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have Potential to reduce your appetite, which can positively affect your body mass over the course of a long period of time.
6. Fatty acids present in coconut oil are transformed into ketone bodies, which can reduce seizures.
The ketogenic diet (very low in carbohydrates and rich in protein and fat) is currently being studied to treat different types of diseases. The best therapeutic use of this diet known so far is to treat children suffering from epilepsy. In this diet very few carbohydrates and large amounts of fat are ingested, which results in an increase in the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. For some reason that is being studied, this results in the Epileptic seizures Cessation in children who suffer, even in those who have not benefited from the medication provided. Because the medium chain triglycerides contained in coconut oil are transformed into ketone bodies in the liver, coconut oil is often used in these patients to induce ketosis.
In summary: The medium chain triglycerides contained in coconut oil can increase the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood, which can help reduce or even eliminate seizures in children who are sick with epilepsy.
7. Coconut oil can improve your blood cholesterol level and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats that do not affect the lipid profile of the blood as it has been mistakenly believed for a long time. Saturated fats elevate HDL (good cholesterol) and change LDL to a more benign subtype. In a study conducted with 40 women, coconut oil reduced total cholesterol and LDL while elevated HDL when compared with soy oil intake. In other studies carried out with rats it has been shown that the intake of coconut oil reduces the Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and increases HDL, improves coagulation and antioxidant state of blood. This improves the risks of long-term cardiovascular disease.
In summary: Studies with humans and animals show that coconut oil improves the factors that measure the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as total cholesterol, LDL, HDL or triglycerides, so that their intake can To be associated with a lower risk of suffering such diseases.
8. Coconut oil can protect hair from deterioration and moisturize the skin.
In addition to eating, coconut oil is very useful in other types of applications. Many people use it for cosmetic purposes, getting to improve the health and appearance of their skin and hair. Studies carried out in individuals with dry skin show that coconut oil improves the hydration of your skin and the lipid content of it. In addition, coconut oil can protect the hair tremendously and nourish it. Other cosmetic applications of coconut oil include its use as toothpaste, and, above all, as mouthwash, which has been shown to kill bacteria in the mouth, improving dental health and eliminating bad breath.
In summary: Coconut oil can be used topically with excellent results, since studies show that it can be very effective as a moisturizing oil, protecting hair or even used as a mouthwash.
9. Fatty acids present in coconut oil may increase brain function of Alzheimer's patients.
Alzheimer's is one of the major causes of senile dementia and occurs mainly in the older population. In Alzheimer's patients, it seems that the brain loses the ability to use glucose as energy. Ketone bodies can provide this energy to the brain and researchers are speculating on the idea of increasing the number of ketone bodies in the blood to improve the brain functions of patients and reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's. In a study conducted in 2006, the consumption of medium-chain triglycerides in moderate Alzheimer's patients produced an immediate improvement in their brain function. Other studies offer the same results and therefore more intensive studies with medium chain triglycerides are being carried out for their therapeutic potential use in patients with Alzheimer's.
In summary: Studies show that the fatty acids present in coconut oil can increase the levels of ketone bodies in the blood, and these can provide energy to the brain of Alzheimer's patients, reducing their symptoms.
10. Coconut oil can make you lose fat, especially the dangerous abdominal fat.
Since coconut oil can reduce appetite and increase the rate at which fat burns, it seems logical that you can Help lose weight Also. Coconut oil seems to be quite adequate to reduce abdominal fat, which is surrounded by vital organs and is of high risk. This fat, also known as visceral fat, is the most dangerous and is commonly associated with many diseases of the Western world. The abdominal contour is easily measured with a tape measure and is a good indicator of the amount of visceral fat we have. In a study conducted with 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing their diet with 30ml of coconut oil a day reduced both their body mass index and their abdominal perimeter in a period of only 12 weeks. In another study with 20 obese men noticed a reduction in the abdominal perimeter of 2, 86cm after only 4 weeks taking 30ml of coconut oil a day. Although these figures may not seem too large, one should not lose sight of the fact that they did not perform any physical exercise or at all reduced their caloric intake. They simply added coconut oil to their usual diet. If you want more information about weight loss with coconut oil.
In short: it seems proven that consuming at least 30ml of coconut oil a day as part of the diet can Help reduce abdominal fat Without the help of any other factor such as diet or exercise.