Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
While cooking oils like olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil are considered as healthier options, coconut oil has its own benefits.
Coconut oil is exceptionally rich in lauric acid, a rare saturated fat that helps to improve the composition of blood lipids. It is a rich source of antioxidants such as tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Being very rich in Medium-Chain-Triglycerides (MCTs), it may encourage fat burning, have antimicrobial effects, help reduce hunger, the MCTs in coconut oil provide a quick supply of energy - In fact, MCTs have been long used in sports nutrition products for athletes who need a source of energy their body can absorb and use fast. MCTs in coconut oil can also increase blood ketone concentrations, which may help reduce seizure frequency.
Besides these health benefits coconut oil may help moisturize your skin and improve skin barrier function, may help strengthen your hair by increasing flexibility and reducing the breakage of hair strands, may be a cost-effective way to improve oral health due to its lauric acid content. Since coconut oil is rich in MCTs, it may potentially help with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Coconut Oil and Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Besides its many health benefits, coconut oil is also known for its ability to cause an HGH surge within 30 to 90 minutes of consumption. This is why it's often recommended to have foods made with this oil for a rapid increase in HGH levels.
Coconut Oil and Heart Health:
In recent years, coconut oil has been touted as beneficial for heart health. That’s because some evidence suggests it may lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
However, evidence on the effects of coconut oil on blood cholesterol levels is conflicting. A 2020 study found that coconut oil may actually significantly increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels — which increases the risk of heart disease.
Therefore, it is best to consume coconut oil in moderation to reap its health benefits.
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