December 26, 2016
You may be using coconut oil for some kind of purpose already. But I bet you didn’t know just how many uses coconut oil may have! Let’s go to the beginning…
Derived from the beautiful palm trees of the south, the coconut grows, ripens and waits to be plucked or falls onto the sand. The hard shell makes it a mission to open but it’s worth the work as inside is this wonderful nut meat and its oil contains healing properties that seem to be endless.
Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fats. The fatty acids in this oil, specifically lauric acid, are what make this oil so special. According to Kris Gunnars BSc, “almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil is the 12-carbon lauric Acid. When lauric acid is digested, it forms a substance called monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi”.
Now that we know the science behind coconut oil, I will list its top eight most interesting uses and some may surprise you!
Eight most Interesting Uses of Coconut Oil:
- The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in Coconut oil help with weight loss by stimulating metabolism. You can add a tablespoon in your smoothie or eat it on its own. Coconut oil works best for weight loss at its natural raw state. The texture may turn you off so I would highly suggest to blend the oil with your favourite fruit.
- Coconut oil is a great natural skin moisturizer, lip balm and is also a good hair conditioner. It smoothens out the fly aways and gives your hair a healthy shine!
- Coconut oil one of the best oils to cook with. According to Kris Gunnars’ research, ‘coconut oilhighly resistant to oxidation at high heats. For this reason, it is the perfect oil for high-heat cooking methods like frying’. Plus it adds a yummy flavor to Asian dishes and is a healthier choice to use for making popcorn.
- With its antibacterial properties, coconut oil helps heal wounds. Rub some oil on your fresh cut and you will notice the wound healing quicker than if were left alone.
- Coconut oil is a natural remedy for yeast infections. Again, this is due to the lovely lauric acid and how it kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. It can be used internally for best results.
- Now this use blows my mind! Did you know that coconut oil is used in Alzheimer’s research to possibly prevent the disease!? According to Alzheimer’s Society Canada, ‘The primary source of energy for the brain is glucose. InAlzheimer’s disease, it’s believed that brain cells have difficulty metabolizing glucose. But the theory is that ketones that are produced in our bodies when digesting coconut oil may provide an alternative fuel source to keep the brain nourished’. These findings could lead to a major breakthrough for preventing and treating the disease!
- Coconut oil is also used as a natural and non-toxic mosquito repellent as it makes the skin too slippery for the buggers to latch on.
- I bet you didn’t know that coconut oil is also used as a great natural lubricant!? It has a sexy scent and it’s not messy like many other sticky lubricants out there.
Nature knows best! Natural remedies beat the harsh chemicals and side effects of many pharmaceutical medicines.
Now knowing even just some of the many benefits of coconut oil, if you’re not using the oil already, now is the time to get some! When you’re out shopping for coconut oil, be sure to buy the organic virgin unrefined oil.
Sources:
http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Risk-factors/Coconut-oil
https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
