Coconut oil - The Wonder Oil
Organic Virgin Coconut oil is one of the smartest choices of good fat to add to your diet. Yes, coconut oil.
Formerly, it was considered bad as it was thought to raise bad cholesterol and cause heart issues. But now, after some research, we know that coconut oil is different from most fats and is actually good for us. So below are some benefits we get from coconut oil:
1. Weight Management, Belly Fat:
Surprisingly, coconut oil that is high in saturated fat does help in reducing those extra kilos. The medium chain fatty acid takes off the excess weight as it does not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats which means it is not stored but it is used for energy. It has been found to increase metabolic rate too which is another plus point for the weight droppers.
The Journal of Nutrition published a study where researchers investigated all studies relative to medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are abundant in coconut fat and weight management. The studies showed that diets rich in fats such as those found in coconut oil prompted a boost in metabolism, increase in energy, decrease in food consumption, reduced body weight and lower body fat mass. The authors of the study highly recommend using oils that contain MCFAs, such as coconut oil, as a tool to drop extra abdominal fat, manage a healthy weight, and even as a way to treat obesity.
Hence, as you must have noticed, people staying in coastal areas who use coconut oil as their primary cooking oil are normally not obese or fat but fit.
2. Thyroid Balance:
Organic coconut oil helps to fuel the action and proper functioning of this tricky, butterfly-shaped gland which provides energy, supports the health of your skin and metabolism and keeps your moods in balance.
3. Skin and Hair Care:
There as to be a reason why coconut oil is a base for many body-care and hair-care products. Coconut oil has great antioxidant properties and is an effective moisturizer. It prevents flaking, drying and sagging of skin. It gets a shine to hair, elevates growth and cures dandruff and breakage of hair.
4. Builds immunity and fights infection:
Strengthens immune system as it has various acids like lauric acid, the capric acid which has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. These are also found in the human breast milk. They deactivate viruses by not allowing them to grow.
How to add it to your diet?
You can start your day with 1 tsp of coconut virgin oil with 5-6 drops of lime and 1 tsp of honey in 1 cup water or can simply have 1 tsp of raw virgin coconut oil on empty stomach.
Otherwise can top it over your coffee (as a variation to butter coffee), or using half a tablespoon while cooking or using it for stir-fries or smoothies.
Will it increase my cholesterol?
This is a legitimate question asked many times as we have been conditioned to believe that saturated fats raise bad cholesterol. But the truth is that consuming coconut oil improves cholesterol levels and reduces heart diseases. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Lipids consisted of testing the effects of either 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or 2 tablespoons of soybean on a group of 40 women over a span of 28 days. Results showed that the group that ate the coconut oil had a decrease in abdominal fat, while the soybean oil group actually showed a slight increase in belly fat. Additionally, the group that ate the coconut oil showed increased HDL good cholesterol levels, while the soybean oil group had decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL bad cholesterol.