3 Coconut oil health benefits

Coconut oil had a very bad reputation for a very long time. Many accused coconut oil of causing weight gain, heart disease and more due to its high content of saturated fats. Ready for the truth? Studies now show that the medium chain fatty acids of coconut oil are actually a wonderfully healing food that is a great addition to a healthy diet! Here are three reasons why you might want to start adding coconut oil to your shopping list.    

Coconut oil may support metabolism and weight loss. 

Yes, coconut oil is a fat, but don’t be too quick to associate it with fat on your body. Coconut oil is actually a high-quality medium chain fatty acid that can make you leaner and more energetic. This kind of oil not only gives your thyroid a healthy boost, it's also converted directly to energy instead of being stored as fat when consumed in an energy-balanced diet. Some early studies indicate that coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acids could even help stimulate metabolism and aid in weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Many people are turning to coconut oil to aid with weight loss and increase energy.

Coconut oil is great for cooking. 

Cooking with coconut oil not only adds a nice tropical flavor to your food, it's also one of the healthiest oils to cook with. Many other kinds of vegetable oil go rancid when heated. This is not a good thing; rancid oil can cause a variety of health issues. Alternatively, when coconut oil is exposed to heat, it’s been found to resist mild heat damage and maintain its wonderful health qualities. Coconut oil is great for stir-frying, baking and more. 

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer.

In addition to having loads of health benefits when consumed, coconut oil is also a treat to the skin. Skip processed, expensive body lotions and go for coconut oil instead. Coconut oil also has anti-aging benefits, and can help protect the skin from free radicals, which can cause skin to look older and more tired. Plus, it’ll make you smell nice too!

Ready to get your health back on track? Check out my free guide to start listening to your body.

Resources:

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/dietary-coconut-oil-elevates-hdl-and-reduces-abdominal-obesity-women

http://www.naturalnews.com/026819_lauric_acid_coconut_oil_infections.html

Header image credit: Phu Thinh Co, http://www.flickr.com/photos/phuthinhco/7651679180/sizes/l/