Proven Health Benefits of Coconut Oil and Coconut Water
Coconut is a very healthy fruit, it can be classified as a superfood. I would like to give you basic information about coconut before jumping to the main topic of the health benefits of coconut oil and coconut water.
Coconut belongs to the Cocos nucifera palm. Coconut outer part is green in color but turns brown as it matures. The white part (kernel) of coconut is edible underneath the hard shell also known as coconut meat. Young Coconut has clear liquid inside, known coconut water or coconut juice.
Coconut oil is made from pressing its kernel or meat to extracts the fat while coconut milk is made by heating its kernel. Both are made from coconut only difference is of processing it.
Coconut is not a new discovered fruit. According to the Ramayana ( A holy book of Hinduism) indicates that it was present in India before the 1st century. It is not only used for diet purposes but also for religious practices in India.
Coconut is also known “Nariyal” in Hindi, “Thenga” in Tamil, “Kalpa-Vriksha” in Sanskrit, “Karikkin” in Malayam and “Narikerala” in Bengal.
India is the world largest third’s producer of coconut. Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, etc state in India produce coconut largely. I have dedicated this article mainly health benefits of coconut oil and coconut water. Kindly note that all the information is given here based on the only facts and taken from reliable sources.
Health benefits of coconut oil.
Saturated fat in coconut helps burn fat and gives instant energy to your brain and body. These fats increase the good HDL cholesterol in your body that may reduce heart disease risk.
Generally, you get fats through your diet are long-chain triglycerides, but the fats in coconut are medium-chain triglycerides. This means these fats are broken down easily and absorbed rapidly in your body. Your body uses it as an instant source of energy if not then turns into ketones.
Ketones can be effective in many brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
Fatty acid in coconut oil can reduce Seizures.
Fatty acid in coconut goes to the liver then turned into ketones. Elliptic patients are advised to take it with more carbs food in order to stimulate ketosis. By which it reduces the rate of seizures.
Nowadays ketogenic ( very high in fat, very low in carb) diet is in high demand because of its therapeutic effect. A recent study tells that the ketogenic diet could be used to treat many disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
Coconut oil can increase good HDL cholesterol
Saturated fats are not as good as unsaturated fat. But, saturated fat in coconut is an exception. It increases the good HDL in your body and prevents heart disease. A Study conducted on a group of 40 women that revealed it.
Coconut oil helps fat burning
Who doesn’t want to be cured of obesity? Obesity is a worldwide health problem.
Some people around the world relate it with calorie intake and its sources. They are right, every food works differently in your body. In that case, a calorie is not a calorie.
Equal calories from two different sources, one is from MCTs and the other is LCTs. First, one is burned rapidly. ( Trusted Source )
Coconut oil can kill pathogens
Coconut oil is 50% of lauric acid. After digestion, lauric acid forms an important substance called monolaurin. Both monolaurin and lauric acid may kill harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi etc. (Trusted Source )
These pathogens are responsible for many types of infection in humans.
Coconut oil can curb appetite and help you lose weight.
Hunger is something we can not control ourselves, it is very natural. But, what if you feel less hungry?
Fatty acids in coconut may reduce your appetite. A very remarkable study reveals it.
Coconut oil is good for healthy skin.
You can apply coconut oil on your body part to get skin shiner and smoother. A recent study on coconut revealed that it could improve skin moisture.
Coconut oil is also helpful in reducing eczema symptoms. ( Trusted Source )
Coconut oil can protect you from hair loss.
Using coconut oil on your head can protect your hair damage. Simply apply some drops of oil on your head and do gentle massage for 2-3 minutes.
Coconut oil can kill mouth germs.
Do you know oil pulling?
It is a technique to keep your mouth healthy. In an empty stomach before brushing your teeth, Just take some amount of coconut oil into your mouth and rotate it inside your mouth for some time then spit it out. Oil pulling can kill your mouth germs and improve dental health.
Coconut can boost brain function in Alzheimer’s patient.
Glucose is the main source of energy for your every parts of body including brain.
But what if, your brain unable to use glucose for energy?
Firstly let me describe this condition is called Alzheimer’s. In that case, Alzheimer’s patient’s brain use ketones for energy as an alternate and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s. ( Trusted Source )
Coconut oil can reduce belly fat.
Belly fat is something very hard to get rid of once you store.
Losing weight and controlling your hunger is not a guarantee of finishing belly fat.
But the good news for you, 30-40 ml of coconut oil can help you reducing belly fat.
But keep in mind overdose of anything is harmful.
Fatty acid in coconut may prevent you from colon cancer.
Cancer has many types, each of them leads to death. Colon cancer alone contributes 5% of death in overall cancer death. It affecting both men and women.
A recent study published on the US National Library of Medicine has found active anti-cancer substances in coconut oil. Lauric acid (LA) in coconut oil are responsible for this. ( Trusted Sources)
I am damn sure after knowing the amazing health benefit of coconut oil that is proven by study and research you must start consuming it without a second thought.
Is crystal liquid inside the coconut known as coconut water or coconut juice (less commonly) also important for health? Let’s dig out its fact.
Also, read about
Health benefits of Coconut water.
Coconut water keeps you hydrated.
Coconut water is a natural electrolyte that keeps you hydrated after a short period of workout. Coconut water replenishes the fluids after the workout.
Coconut water may help you look younger.
Lines and wrinkles on your face tell how older are you? It happens because blood circulation is slower and skin cells get less oxygen. Generally, the cell renewal rate is decreased as you age.
Coconut has anti-aging effects because it is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal due to cytokinins and other important substances in it.
Coconut water relieves you from stress due to workout.
Coconut water is a major source of arginine. It is a kind of amino acid that helps your body respond to stress ( caused by workout)
Coconut water may regulate diabetes
Coconut improves the discharge of insulin and the usage of blood sugar effectively. That positively affects the hormone for blood sugar control. Thus, it slows down the increase in blood sugar levels and reduces glycemic cravings.
Coconut water may prevent kidney stones.
It is always advised to take plenty of water to avoid stones formation in the body. But it is best to drink coconut water for the same as it works well compared to normal water.
First, know how the stone formed in the kidney? Calcium, oxalate and other substances get combined to form crystal in your urine that turns into stone.
Coconut water may lower blood pressure.
Coconut water is a high source of potassium that helps to reduce blood pressure. It may also reduce the formation of blood clots in arteries as they have an anti-thrombotic effect.
Summary: Coconut as a whole is a very healthy fruit. After knowing its fact you must include coconut in your diet to get optimal health benefits. Any form of coconut is good for health.