🍶Proven Health Benefits & Uses Of Coconut Oil🍶
The health benefits of coconut oil include improving heart health by increasing the HDL cholesterol levels, promoting weight loss, relieving symptoms of yeast infections, skin and hair care, improving digestion, and boosting immunity. The oil is not just used in tropical countries, where coconut plantations are abundant, but also in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. We are now rediscovering the wonders that this oil can create and it is again gaining popularity throughout the world.
🍶Let us look at some of the known benefits of coconut oil.🍶
Health Benefits
Coconut oil has several health benefits, the most important ones being its usefulness in hair care and skincare.
Increases levels of HDL Cholesterol
According to a report in the journal Harvard Health Publishing, coconut oil helps to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) that aids in improving heart health. However, the report advised using coconut oil sparingly as the bulk of current findings conducted on coconut oil and its effect on cholesterol levels are based on short-term studies.
Improves Heart Health
There are multiple studies that show coconut oil as one of the most beneficial fats for heart health. A 2016 review published in the Ghana Medical Journal found that 50 percent of fats found in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as lauric acid. These acids are absorbed easily by the intestine and can be used by the body to produce energy. Further, the MCTs do not participate in the transport or biosynthesis of cholesterol.
Research published in the journal Nutricion Hospitalaria conducted on 116 coronary artery disease patients, it was observed that a diet rich in extra virgin coconut oil led to an increase in good cholesterol levels (HDL cholesterol) and a decrease in bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol).
Another study suggests that the intake of this oil may help in maintaining healthy lipid profiles in pre-menopausal women. However, anything in excess can be bad. If you are using coconut oil often, check your cholesterol levels regularly. If you find them increasing, it is better to stop or cut down on it. In any case, consult a professional medical practitioner before you start consuming coconut oil extensively.
Promotes Healthy Hair
Coconut oil is used extensively in the tropical, coastal regions for haircare. Many women apply the oil regularly for thick lustrous hair. This thick, butter-like oil helps in the healthy growth of your hair and gives a shine to those strands. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found compared coconut oil to other oils like sunflower and mineral oils. Of the three, coconut oil was the only oil that reduced protein loss when used as a pre-wash or post-wash product. This held true for both damaged and undamaged hair. Due to low molecular weight, it is able to penetrate the hair shaft and prevent hair damage.
This is one of the reasons why it is used as a hair care oil, and in the manufacturing of various conditioners and dandruff-relief creams. The best variety for healthy hair is organic extra virgin coconut oil. Just apply it topically to your hair or use a coconut oil hair mask.
Worried about damaged hair? Again coconut oil is one solution. It is an excellent conditioner and helps the re-growth process of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair. Another research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science indicates that coconut oil provides better protection to hair from damage caused by too much moisture.
By regularly massaging your head with it, you can ensure that your scalp is dandruff free, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice infestation.