Coconut oil, which has long been blamed for having unhealthy saturated fats, is now recognized as one of the foods that are essential to a balanced diet. Science has demonstrated that not all saturated fats are created equal, paving the way for the transformation of this blasphemous food into a superfood.
Virgin coconut oil increases metabolism, which makes it useful for reducing cholesterol and weight. The advantages don't end there. The following are some applications for coconut oil and how it affects our health:
1. Good for cooking
Coconut oil is great for cooking
because its composition remains unchanged at high temperatures. Coconut
oil produces no harmful effects unlike the other cooking oils.
2. Can replace butter
Use
coconut oil to replace butter in recipes. The flavor isn’t predominant,
you can get a slightly exotic flavor, but most recipes using spices
will cover the taste of coconut oil.
3. Perfect for those who follow a vegan and paleo diet
Coconut
oil is a main ingredient in most raw or paleo recipes because it
solidifies at room temperature, keep the recipes cohesive and gives
texture and taste.
4. Used in preparations, coconut oil help you assimilate a greater amount of nutrients
Add coconut oil in smoothies to make nutrients from fruits and vegetables easier to assimilate and to balance blood sugar.
5. Pamper yourself with homemade chocolate
Mix equal parts of coconut oil, cocoa powder and honey to create a natural chocolate sauce.
6. Appetite inhibitive without stimulants
Take
a teaspoon of coconut oil before meals to feel fuller. The explanation
lies in how fats are metabolized in the body. Science has shown that due
to ketones (which are produced when you eat coconut oil)
appetite-reducing effects occur.
7. Help balance hormones
Coconut oil is a nourishing fat for adrenal glands and thyroid.
8. Give energy and stimulate metabolism
MCT
(medium chain triglycerides) sustainably release energy in the long
term and also stimulate metabolism and speed up fat loss. Medium chain
fatty acids are not stored in the body as fats, they are immediately
used by the liver as an energy source.
9. Balance the blood sugar level
Coconut oil is released over several hours in the body, providing a solid source of energy that balances blood sugar levels.
10. Stimulate the brain function
Studies
show that coconut oil has powerful effects on brain health. It has
proved very useful in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease and
helps ordinary people to feel more alert and attentive.
11. Heal the pain associated with the common cold
Antiviral compounds inside coconut oil help heal colds faster and reduce pain.
12. Soothe sore throat
Melt
a tablespoon of coconut oil in warm water with lemon to soothe
irritated throat. Effects may vary from person to person, and most of
them aren’t scientific evidence, but personal experiences.
13. Improve immunity
About
half of coconut oil is lauric acid, a substance that turns into
monolaurin, a mono glyceride which can destroy viruses, gram-negative
bacteria and protozoa.
14. Help digestion and treat ulcers
Coconut
oil helps digestion because it acts as a lubricant for the digestive
tract. It also restores intestinal walls and has a mucilaginous effect.
15. Fights Parasites
Lauric
acid in coconut oil combats parasites, is antifungal and antibacterial
and creates a hostile environment for harmful parasites.
16. Heal Burns
You can use coconut oil to treat burns faster and as a pain killer.
17. Get rid of lice in combination with aniseed extract
One study showed that the two ingredients combined are more effective in treating lice than the Nix treatment.
18. Anti-inflammatory
Coconut
oil has been shown to reduce inflammation. The researchers found that
coconut oil has an analgesic activity and reduces swelling and pain.
19. Reduce fever
The same study demonstrated effectiveness for coconut oil in reducing fever.
20. Furniture cleaning solution
Yes, you can use coconut oil to give shine to wooden furniture. It’s cheaper and less toxic than commercial products.
21. Leather cleaner
Give
shine to your shoes with a drop of coconut oil applied on a dry cloth –
a natural solution instead of petroleum-based products.
22. Banish Fleas
Apply coconut oil on pets to ward off these troublesome insects.
23. Make your own baby wipes
Whether
you’re using half a roll of paper or a towel, soak it in a mixture of 1
cup warm water, 1 tablespoon coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of liquid
soap. This solution is great for babies because it has both calming and
moisturizing effects.
24. Treat the nappy rash naturally
Even
if you use homemade wipes, nappy rash may occur on small children.
Coconut oil soothes and effectively treats this little discomfort.
25. Massage Oil
Preheat
the coconut oil in a pot fitted with melting area, along with your
favorite essential oils for a massage experience the same as those
practiced on expensive spa salons.
26. Get rid of Warts
Apply
coconut oil on the wart and cover with a bandage. As was mentioned
above, coconut oil is an exceptional antifungal and within a month the
warts should disappear.
27. Body Scrub
Combine equal
parts sugar and coconut oil, add your favorite essential oil and use the
mixture as a body scrub when you take a shower.
28. Moisturizer
You
can use coconut oil as a moisturizer for the entire body. It is very
good for nourishing the skin and prevents acne. Many people use coconut
oil as a face moisturizer in order to prevent wrinkles.
29. Coconut oil blocks UV rays by 30%
Even
if you well grease your body with coconut oil before going on the
beach, you’ll still be able to absorb beneficial vitamin D, unlike other
sunscreen lotions.
30. Lubricant
Coconut oil is a good
alternative to petroleum-based lubricants. Although it should be noted
that if you use latex condoms, coconut oil can weaken latex, so it’s
better to opt for polyurethane.
31. Hair treatment conditioner
As
a pre-shampoo treatment, cover your hair with coconut oil the previous
night before shower (cover your hair with a towel during the night) and
put more oil on tips for a silky sheen.
32. Lip Balm
When
you finish your lip balm, melt 1 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil with
your favorite essential oil and 1 teaspoon of wax. Fill the lip balm
stick with the melted oil and let it cool before you use it.
33. Hemorrhoids
Apply coconut oil directly to the hemorrhoids to alleviate swelling and to eliminate pain.
34. Dandruff
Try
using a scalp treatment based on coconut oil and rosemary to treat
dandruff. Scalp massage with oil mixture and leave overnight. Wash your
hair as usual and repeat until the problem disappears.
35. Aftershave
It is amazing how something so simple can be so effective in calming the inflammation associated with shaving.
36. Mosquito bites
Apply directly to mosquito bites to avoid swelling and to alleviate itching.
37. Cleansing
Coconut
oil is a very effective cleanser. It can easily remove even the most
resistant mascara, leaving your skin hydrated and clean.
38. Sunburn
Ayurveda,
the ancient Indian medicine, categorize coconut oil as refreshing as it
is very effective in soothing itchy skin after sunburn.
Another
good remedy is apple cider vinegar mixed with water. Spray this solution
on the skin and leave it to dry. Apply coconut oil after vinegar to
create a comfy feeling.
39. Acne
Coconut oil is
excellent for treating can, both internally and externally. It restores
hormone imbalance, one of the main causes of acne. Apply coconut oil on
pimples for its antibacterial effects. Also, coconut oil reduces redness
and swelling.
40. Stretch Marks
Coconut oil treats
stretch marks when your pores are open after bathing or showering. You
can apply coconut oil on the abdomen to prevent stretch marks during
pregnancy.
41. Perineal massage during pregnancy
About a month before birth, massage the perineum with coconut oil to prevent ruptures and to avoid episiotomy.
42. Treatment for magnificent eyelashes
Apply a little coconut oil on the eyelashes before bedtime, especially if you use eye makeup, because eyelashes may fall or break in time.43. Treatment for cuticle
Rub coconut oil on your dry nails and you’ll see amazing effects.
44. Varicose Veins
Daily apply coconut oil on varicose veins and massage well. People who used oil in this way say it’s an excellent solution for the natural treating of varicose veins.
45. Regain iron utensils shine
Use coconut oil to regain metal pans shine. After you’ve washed and dried them, add a little coconut oil to protect them against rust and to make them shiny.
46. Fire lighting
You don’t need a canister of gasoline when you go camping. Instead, you can soak some cotton disks in coconut oil and use them to light a fire.
