Coconut oil has been a buck for many years, but has now become the hero in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
The oil, which used to have a reputation for being the bad, saturated fat, dangerous for anyone who cared about heart disease and high blood pressure, is now considered a healing, nourishing agent. Here are 53 amazing benefits of coconut oil:
Why has one suddenly changed his mind? What made people see the light regarding the wide range of benefits of coconut oil?
In this article, we will take a closer look at the myths surrounding saturated fat, which are still the cause of many misconceptions to this day.
Coconut oil and the myths about saturated fat
The myth that saturated fat makes you fat originated in the late 1970s. The health authorities simply claimed that foods high in saturated fat should be avoided. That is, foods such as butter, egg yolks, animal fats and of course coconut oil.
The premise of this notion was that the saturated fat would increase the LDL cholesterol level, which would thus clog the veins and lead to heart disease. Many studies were done, however, there was one fundamental flaw in all of them.
The studies that showed the link between saturated fat and heart disease put trans fatty acids in the same category. Trans fatty acids are fat molecules that have been converted, like the chemical process of hydrogenation, similar to how vegetable oils turn into margarine.
Trans fatty acids can be linked to heart disease as well as other health problems, but it is certainly not fair to equate them with naturally occurring saturated fatty acids.
Since then, more and more scientific evidence has come to the table pointing to the opposite. Many cultures around the world greatly appreciate saturated fatty acids for their nourishing properties.
The Masai tribe in Africa, for example, drink full-fat colostrum in large quantities, in China , women who can afford it are encouraged to eat up to 10 eggs a day.
Not to mention the Inuit of northern Canada, who usually survived very harsh winters by eating mainly seal fat and fish. Modern science has begun to realize that the diet that our ancestors ate was far more balanced, and they did not suffer from the same diseases that we struggle with today.
The diet of our ancestors , therefore, plays a big role in all this, and as you can see, our ancestors were not afraid of a little extra fat.
50 things you can use coconut oil for (some will probably come as a surprise)
1. Coconut oil in cooking
Coconut oil is an excellent fat for cooking because the structure of the oil remains intact when heated. It does not produce harmful by-products like the most common cooking oils.
2. Coconut oil as a substitute for butter
Use coconut oil in various recipes instead of butter. You can make everything from pie dough to brownies, sauces and much more. The spices in most recipes will usually drown out the taste of coconut oil, but if you prefer to avoid the taste of coconut, you can opt for a tasteless coconut oil.
3. Perfect for vegan and paleo diets
Coconut oil is the most important ingredient in most vegan raw pies as well as paleo delicacies because it solidifies at temperatures below 24 degrees, thereby keeping the delicacies intact and making them extra delicious.
4. Make the food more nutritious
When you use coconut oil in, for example, a smoothie, the nutrients of the fruit and vegetables are better absorbed, while at the same time regulating your blood sugar. Finally, if you eat steamed vegetables, add plenty of coconut oil and some good sea salt, as the fat-soluble vitamins will absorb much more effectively.
5. Make delicious chocolates
Mix the coconut oil with equal parts cocoa powder and honey to get a natural chocolate sauce, or pour the mass into small molds and let them set in the fridge, and vupti then you have some healthy, homemade chocolate delicacies.
6. Appetite suppressant
Take a teaspoon of coconut oil before eating, and you will be full faster. This is most likely due to the way the fatty acids are metabolized in the body. Scientific studies have revealed that the ketones (which are produced when you consume coconut oil) in the blood can suppress appetite.
7. Helps balance hormones
Coconut oil is a healthy, nourishing fat that nourishes your adrenal and thyroid hormones properly, making your hormone balance more stable.
8. More energy and better metabolism
The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil increase fat burning, thus providing you with a better metabolism. Medium-chain fatty acids are not stored as fat in the body, but are used immediately by the liver, which converts them into ketone bodies, which are converted into energy.
9. Regulates blood sugar
In the body, coconut oil is released over several hours, and is therefore a solid source of energy, which helps maintain a stable blood sugar. A 2010 issue of the “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” described an animal experiment in which a diet containing coconut oil was found to improve glucose tolerance and lower total cholesterol. The researchers attributed the effect to the presence of lauric acid (a medium-chain fatty acid) in coconut oil. So you can avoid going sugar cold once you have brought this healing fat into your life.
10. Improves the brain
Studies show the effective effects of coconut oil on the health of our brain. We can see that it is incredibly useful in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s as well as simply helping the average person to feel more alert and alert.
11. Treatment of cold sores
The antiviral composition of coconut oil causes cold sores to heal faster and at the same time has an analgesic effect.
12. Relieves sore throat
Melt 1 tsp. coconut oil in warm lemon water, which will relieve a sore, irritated throat. The result will vary from person to person and is predominantly anecdotally proven. Use it as a reminder.
13. Treatment of earache and infection
Boil a little coconut oil over low heat together with a clove of garlic and apply this antibacterial oil in the ear.
14. Treatment of Candida fungus
Candida Albicans is a fungus and a parasite that steals necessary energy from the body.
The lauric acid in coconut oil helps, among other things, to fight this fungus.
15. Improves the immune system
Roughly half of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which is converted to monolauric acid, a monoglyceride that can destroy viruses encapsulated in lipids, gram-negative bacteria and protozoa. This makes it effective in treating ailments such as herpes virus, giardia lamblia, HIV as well as measles to name a few.
16. Coconut oil helps in digestion
If you consume coconut oil with your meals, you can have a better digestion, as oil lubricates the digestive tract, and thus the digested food can pass much more easily.
17. Fights parasites
Lauric acid in coconut oil has a fungicidal, antiviral and antibacterial effect, thus creating an inhospitable environment for these nasty parasites.
18. Effective means of burns
Coconut oil can heal burns faster and provides instant relief.
19. Treatment of peptic ulcer
Coconut oil helps to rebuild the intestinal walls, and adds a sticky effect, which promotes easy digestion, so that food can pass without difficulty.
20. Coconut oil combined with aniseed extract can scare away lice
A study has shown that when these two drugs are combined, they have a far more effective effect compared to the common lice treatment, Permethrin.
21. Inhibits inflammation
In animal experiments, coconut oil has been shown to reduce inflammation.
The researchers also concluded that coconut oil has a moderate analgesic effect and reduces swelling.
22. Antipyretic
The above study also showed that coconut oil is an effective remedy for fever. Ayurveda also considered coconut oil as an oil with a cooling effect, long before modern medicine came into being.
23. Increases testosterone and reduces swollen prostate in animal experiments
Coconut oil is not only one of the best foods that promotes healthy hormones by regulating the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, it has also been found to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.
24. Weight loss
The various uses of coconut oil, both medicinal and other, are so extensive that everyone should have this wonder drug in their kitchen cupboard. In addition to all the health benefits, the oil can also be used for weight loss.
25. Treatment of wooden furniture
Yep, you can actually use coconut oil to treat your wooden furniture. It is definitely cheaper and much less toxic than the commercial polishes.
26. Leather polish
Sand your shoes with a dab of coconut oil on a dry cloth. Simply a good, natural alternative.
27. Coconut oil against fleas
Just as it is used as a treatment against lice, you can also remove annoying small crawls from pets’ fur.
28. Make your own wipes for babies
You may want to use disposable washcloths that you wet with a mixture of 1 cup of warm water, 1 tbsp. coconut oil and 1 tbsp. Castile soap . Thus, you get an excellent wet wipe for the delicate baby butt, and the mixture is both disinfectant and has a soothing, emollient effect.
29. A natural treatment for diaper rash
Even if you use the amazing homemade baby wet wipes, the little one can still get diaper rash. Coconut oil effectively relieves the discomfort of the little kid.
30. Massage oil
If you heat coconut oil in a water bath along with your favorite essential oils, you can pamper yourself with a delicate, spa-like experience.
31. Warts
Apply coconut oil on the warts daily and cover them with a patch. As we have already mentioned at one of the other points, coconut oil is a unique treatment for fungal infections and within a month the warts should have disappeared.
32. Scrub cream for the body
Mix equal parts powdered sugar and coconut oil, add if necessary. your favorite essential oils and apply this oral solution as a body scrub when taking a bath.
33. Moisturizer for the body
You can use coconut oil as a moisturizer, because it nourishes the skin and prevents acne. Many people use it as a face cream to prevent wrinkles.
34. Coconut oil sunscreen blocks UV rays by 30%
So lubricate yourself well before heading to the beach. And by the way, you will still be able to absorb the beneficial vitamin D from the sun, which is not possible with a regular sunscreen.
35. Lubricant
Coconut oil is a great alternative to petroleum-based lubricants. However, it should be noted that if you use latex condoms, coconut oil can weaken the latex, so it is better to choose polyurethane condoms.
36. Optimal oral hygiene, white teeth and better immune system.
Coconut oil possesses antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Ie. that it can keep down harmful viruses, fungal infections and bacteria. Coconut oil also prevents cavities in the teeth, strengthens the gums, whitens the teeth and generally gives you good oral hygiene. You can use the old Indian technique – oil pulling – with coconut oil for the best results.
37. Nourishing hair treatment
Massage coconut oil into the hair with extra attention to the tips, ride the hair through and let it sit overnight (so remember to put on a bathing cap in bed). Wash your hair with shampoo in the morning and enjoy your silky curls.
38. Moisture for the lips
Next time you run out of lip balm, try melting 1 tablespoon of coconut oil along with your favorite essential oils as well as 1 teaspoon of beeswax. Fill the empty tube with the melted oil and allow it to reach room temperature before using it.
39. Hemorrhoids
If you put coconut oil directly on the hemorrhoids, it will ease the swelling and relieve the pain.
40. Dandruff
Try a scalp treatment with coconut oil and rosemary oil for dandruff. Simply massage the blended oils into the scalp and let it work overnight. Wash your hair in the morning and repeat until the problem disappears.
41. Aftershave
It is absolutely amazing that something so simple can be so effective when it comes to relieving burning when shaving.
42. Mosquito bites
Apply directly to any insect bite to relieve itching and reduce swelling.
43. Makeup remover
Coconut oil is an impressive makeup remover. It not only dissolves waterproof mascara, it also makes your skin clean and nourished.
44. Relief from sunburn
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine system, claims as mentioned before that coconut oil is a cooling oil that can provide really good relief on the scalded, itchy skin. Another excellent remedy for sunburn is apple cider vinegar mixed with water, which is sprayed on the skin and allowed to dry. Apply coconut oil after the apple cider vinegar for greater relief.
45. Acne
Coconut oil is an excellent remedy for both internal and external acne treatment. Internally, it helps balance the hormones that cause acne. Externally, you can get it on the pimples, as it both has an antibacterial effect and reduces swelling and redness.
46. Shaving cream
If you want to avoid burning, try using coconut oil instead of shaving cream. Apply a little coconut oil on the skin and shave as usual. A cheaper solution that both moisturizes the skin and has an antibacterial effect.
47. Stretch marks
Apply coconut oil on stretch marks and scars when the pores are open after a hot tub or bridal bath. You can also apply coconut oil to your stomach during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks.
48. Massage of the perineum during pregnancy
It is a good idea to massage the crotch with coconut oil one month before the birth, so that you can avoid cracking during the birth or the need for an episiotomy.
49. Extra plump eyelashes
Apply a little coconut oil on your lashes before bedtime. It is especially useful if you apply eye makeup, as long-term use of this can cause the hair to break or fall off.
50. Homemade coconut oil soap
You can easily make your very own soap with just 3 ingredients and a clay jar. You can find this amazing recipe here.
51. Varicose veins
Apply coconut oil daily on the varicose veins and massage well and thoroughly. Anecdotal reports show that it is a unique method that naturally takes care of this discomfort.
52. Coconut oil hardens your pans
You can use coconut oil when you want to harden your cast iron pans. As soon as you have washed and dried them, you can apply a little coconut oil on them and they will retain their slip-easy ability as well as remain stainless.
53. Light a fire
Forget about taking the gas can with you on your camping trip. Instead, you can dip a few cotton balls in coconut oil and use them to light the fire.
