Health benefits of coconut oil: uses, side effects, interactions

Benefits of coconut oil for health

1. Prevent osteoporosis

Coconut oil helps the body more effectively absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as magnesium and calcium. Adequate calcium intake in the body leads to a stronger bone structure and density. Thus, consuming coconut oil in its most natural form can help reduce the symptoms of bone loss caused by osteoporosis.

2. Combats inflammation

This oil is also enriched with antioxidants that fight free radicals that cause inflammation. A study from India reported that the high antioxidant content in coconut oil acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to combat the symptoms of infection and inflammation in the body, for example in arthritis, gallstones, and pancreatitis.

3. Prevent gum disease and dental caries

Gargling with coconut oil (technique oil pulling) has actually been used for generations as a natural method of maintaining healthy mouth and gums, such as preventing tooth decay and bleeding gums. Research reports, routine oil pulling can effectively erode the layer of dental plaque and at the same time prevent the formation of new plaque that causes gingivitis, a gum infection.

4. Prevent and accelerate cancer treatment

One of the most beneficial properties of coconut oil is its medium chain fatty acid (MCT) content. MCTs are not only more easily absorbed by the liver, they are metabolized more quickly. This means that these healthy fatty acids can be further processed into ketones.

Tumor cells need energy from glucose to reproduce and survive in the body. When accompanied by a low-carbohydrate diet, the body has more energy stores from ketones instead of glucose, as a result, tumor cells cannot access their main food source. Therefore, ketones can act as a barrier to tumor growth. In fact, a study shows that when coconut oil is injected into adenocarcinoma cancer cells in the colon, ketones are actually able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells without affecting normal intestinal cells.

5. Stabilize blood sugar

A diet enriched with MCT content (you can get 65% of it from coconut oil) has been shown to increase glucose tolerance and reduce body fat buildup. MCTs have also been reported to maintain insulin action and resistance, although so far this has only been proven in laboratory rats. Coconut oil can also improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.

6. Burn belly fat

Apart from helping combat memory and brain disorders, consumption of medium-chain fatty acids, found in coconut oil, has been shown to increase the number of calories you burn compared to other fatty acids. In other words, the body can easily convert fat to be used into energy. This oil is effective at cutting belly fat, which is the most dangerous of all body fat deposits and is strongly associated with many chronic diseases. In addition, ketones, as a form of energy produced by fat metabolism, are known to have the effect of reducing appetite.

This method is important for people who are on a diet, because basically coconut oil has the potential to help with dramatic weight loss if consumed in the long term.

7. Reducing the risk of heart disease

Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fats, which increase the "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the body, as well as help convert the "bad" LDL cholesterol into a more benign form. This oil may also increase other risk factors and therefore protect against heart disease.

8. Maintain healthy hair and skin

Coconut oil does not always have to be consumed by mouth to show its health benefits. Many people use this healthy oil for cosmetic purposes, to improve the health and appearance of skin and hair.

Research shows coconut oil is an effective skin moisturizer, especially for people whose skin tends to be dry, by increasing the moisture and fat content of the skin. The beauty benefits of coconut oil are also a lighter alternative to sunscreen - blocking about 20% of the sun's UV rays. This oil is also effective at protecting against hair damage.