Published on June 25th, 2013 | by Rachel Budke
0Why I Love Coconut Oil
I have been doing a lot of research on coconut oil. It’s so amazing and I wanted to share what I have found. If you have never used it before, please do yourself a favor and go buy some! It can be used in everything from cooking to baking and even for beauty products. When used in cooking, if you use a fairly large amount, sometimes you can taste the coconut flavor. However, I like coconut, so I honestly hardly notice the taste. If you are looking to get the maximum health benefits, make sure you buy a coconut oil that is organic and unrefined. Refined coconut oil does not have a coconut taste or scent, so if that seems more appealing to you, be sure to read up on the differences.
Coconut oil is a saturated fat, meaning that it is a solid at room temperature. It used to be considered unhealthy and people stayed away from it for years. However, more research has been done, and the benefits of coconut oil are absolutely amazing.
Health Benefits:
- Your body converts it immediately to energy, instead of storing it as fat.
- Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which helps to fight off viruses and bacteria.
- Lauric acid also helps prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and regulates blood sugar.
- Coconut oil can help improve weight loss and boost your metabolism.
- Helps the thyroid gland and endocrine system to function properly.
- Improves digestion.
- Can help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease – although this has not been scientifically proven.
How to use coconut oil:
- Great for use in high-temperature cooking such as stir-frying.
- When baking, replace butter with coconut oil. Also, be sure to check out this coconut oil spray.
- Add to coffee or tea. I use a milk frother to help mix the oil and water. This is just an easy way to consume coconut oil in order to receive it’s health benefits.
- Use a hair conditioner – be sure to shampoo it out!
- Apply on skin to use as a moisturizer, lotion and shaving cream.
- Removes eye makeup. It’s best to use at night because if you accidentally get any inside your eyes, it can make your vision a little bit blurry.
- Mix with baking soda to make toothpaste – I haven’t tried this yet but will soon!
- Use for oil pulling – something that I just recently discovered. I will say that it is much easier to do when the oil is already melted.
What are your favorite ways to use coconut oil?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I was not paid to endorse any of these products. I am not a doctor or healthcare professional. All opinions and information are based on the following sources.
Sources:
Clark, Melissa. “Once a Villain, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Food World.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Mar 2011. Web. 25 Jun 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/dining/02Appe.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
“Health Benefits of Coconut Oil.” . Organic Facts, 01 May 2013. Web. 25 Jun 2013. <http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html>.
Johnson, Sharilyn. “Benefits of Coconut Oil: 15 Uses for This Natural Wonder.” HuffPost Living. The Huffington Post, 01 May 2013. Web. 25 Jun 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/05/01/coconut-oil-benefits_n_3194782.html>.
“Nutrition for Everyone: Basics: Saturated Fat.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, 04 Oct 2012. Web. 25 Jun 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/fat/saturatedfat.html>.