The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
Skin Care:
Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
Hair Care:
Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. Most of the people in these countries apply coconut oil on their hair daily after bath. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.
Weight Loss
Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.
Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.
Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay
Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:
=>Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
=>Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
=>Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
=>Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
=>Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
=>Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
=>Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
=>Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
=>Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
=>Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
=>Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
=>Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
=>Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
=>Helps protect against osteoporosis.
=>Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
=>Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
=>Improves digestion and bowel function.
=>Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
=>Reduces inflammation.
=>Supports tissue healing and repair.
=>Supports and aids immune system function.
=>Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
=>Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
=>Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
=> Functions as a protective antioxidant.
=>Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
=>Does not deplete the body’s antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
=>Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
=>Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
=>Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
=>Reduces epileptic seizures.
Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
=>Dissolves kidney stones.
=>Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
=>Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
=>Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
=>Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
=>Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
=>Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
=>Provides protection form damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation form the sun.
=>Helps control dandruff.