It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the
world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one
of the healthiest oils you can consume. Below is a couple of reasons why you
absolutely should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.
- Coconut oil doesn’t turn to fat in your body. (Ask any Keto Pro)
Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won’t
make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are
an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils
and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT’s are usually stored as fat. Since
coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.
People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for
centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting
fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil
to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern
society faces.
2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.
Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your
metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it
helps your body burn fat more effectively.
Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted
to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT’s burn three times more calories for six
hours after a meal than LCT’s.
Coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid
hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been
shown to inhibit thyroid function.
3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.
Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more
omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
4. Coconut oil gives you energy.
Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the
metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in
their daily life.
This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides
(MCT’s), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT’s promote
thermogenesis, which increases the body’s metabolism, producing energy. Many
people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding
coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.
5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.
Coconut oil is one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It
gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring
skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who
suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.
Not only does it soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant
properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes
excellent massage oil too.
6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.
Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial and
antiviral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.
Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our
bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical
damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be
responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility
to cancers. Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as
Vitamin E.
7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.
It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher
temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to
consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don’t do well under the high heat we
use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.
It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually
rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical
damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for
over a year at room temperature.
Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on
the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for
centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, you can start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!
