Due to the health benefits of coconut oil, including its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, improvement of skin and oral health, and potential weight loss, it has become surprisingly popular among people.

1. Increased Fat Burning

Coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are part of the saturated fats family.

In general, saturated fats are divided into three subgroups, each having different effects on the body. These subgroups include:

· Long-chain

· Medium-chain

· Short-chain

Scientists are studying medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), including those found in coconut oil, for their potential health benefits.

For instance, some evidence suggests that the consumption of MCTs may increase the number of calories your body burns. By doing this, it may help with weight loss.

Since 65% of the fats in coconut oil are MCTs, it may have fat-burning properties similar to pure MCT oil.

While MCTs may increase your calorie-burning rate, keep in mind that coconut oil is very high in calories and if consumed in large amounts, it can easily lead to weight gain.

2. Source of Energy

The MCTs found in coconut oil provide a quick source of energy. When you consume long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), fat molecules are transported via your bloodstream to the tissues that need them, such as muscular or fatty tissues. On the other hand, MCTs go straight to your liver and are converted into an energy source.

In fact, MCTs are used in sports nutrition products for athletes who need a source of energy that their bodies can quickly absorb and utilize.

3. Antimicrobial Effect

Coconut oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties due to its MCT content—especially lauric acid. Lauric acid is a fatty acid that makes up about 50% of the MCTs found in coconut oil.

Research indicates that it may have antimicrobial effects against pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter pylori. Lauric acid may act as a bacteriostatic agent, which is a substance that inhibits the reproduction of bacteria without killing them. Additionally, it may prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms for plants as well.

4. Helps Reduce Appetite

One interesting feature of MCTs is that they may help reduce food intake, which is related to how they are broken down in the body. Part of the MCTs you consume are broken down in a process that produces molecules called ketones.

Ketones reduce appetite by having a direct effect on brain chemical messengers or altering the levels of hunger hormones like ghrelin.

You may be familiar with ketones in relation to the ketogenic diets that are very popular these days. People on a keto diet do not consume many carbohydrates but often eat a lot of fat. Therefore, their bodies tend to use ketones for fuel. However, while coconut oil is one of the richest natural sources of MCTs, there is no evidence that coconut oil itself reduces appetite more than other oils. In fact, one study reports that coconut oil is less satiating than MCT oil.

5. Seizure Control

People have long used ketogenic diets, which are very low in carbohydrates and high in fats, to treat various disorders, including drug-resistant epilepsy. In fact, the ketogenic diet helps reduce the frequency of seizures.

Researchers believe that the lack of glucose available to fuel brain cells justifies the reduction in the frequency of seizures in individuals with epilepsy on ketogenic diets.

6. Increased Skin Health

Coconut oil has many uses beyond its edible form. Many people use it to enhance the health and appearance of their skin. Studies show that coconut oil can improve skin function by preventing dryness and excessive water loss. Applying 6 to 8 drops of virgin coconut oil on the hands overnight is an effective way to prevent dryness caused by frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers. It may also reduce the severity of mild to moderate symptoms of atopic dermatitis (a chronic skin condition characterized by skin inflammation and impaired skin barrier function).

7. Hair Protector

Coconut oil can also protect hair from damage. For example, one study showed that because coconut oil penetrates deeply into hair strands, it makes them more flexible and increases their strength to prevent breakage under stress. Similarly, another study found that coconut oil nourishes hair strands and reduces breakage, leading to further strengthening of the hair.

8. Improved Oral Health

Evidence suggests that using coconut oil as a mouthwash is a useful and cost-effective method for oral hygiene.

The method of using this oil involves swishing coconut oil in the mouth like a mouthwash, which may significantly reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth compared to a regular mouthwash.

This is thought to occur due to the antibacterial properties of lauric acid. Additionally, the lauric acid in coconut oil reacts with saliva to produce a soap-like substance that helps prevent cavities and reduces plaque buildup and gum inflammation.

However, studies point out that there is limited evidence on this topic and that using coconut oil cannot replace dental treatment; further research is needed in this area.

9. Reducing Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. This condition reduces the brain's ability to use glucose for energy. However, researchers believe that ketones can neutralize mild to moderate symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease by providing an alternative energy source for brain cells. For this reason, foods like coconut oil have been investigated for their potential role in managing Alzheimer's disease.

10. Rich Source of Antioxidants

Coconut oil is a good source of antioxidants that help neutralize harmful molecules known as free radicals. This, in turn, helps prevent several chronic and degenerative diseases. Some of the main types of antioxidants found in the oil include:

· Tocopherols

· Tocotrienols

· Phytosterols

· Flavonoids

· Polyphenols.

The antioxidants in coconut oil have potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

Precautions

In recent years, it has been shown that coconut oil is beneficial for heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels actually reduces the risk of heart disease, so you might think that an increase in HDL from coconut oil would be beneficial. However, the American Heart Association has noted that the increase in HDL from dietary or pharmaceutical interventions does not appear to be directly associated with changes in heart disease risk; therefore, the increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol could outweigh its benefits. For this reason, the American Heart Association recommends not using it for heart health; this does not necessarily mean that you should avoid coconut oil altogether. Just try to limit its consumption according to the current guidelines for saturated fat intake, which is less than 10% of your total daily calories.

Final Thoughts

Coconut oil offers numerous health benefits, whether you add it to your diet or use it for cosmetic and health purposes. However, be sure to consume it in moderation.

10 benefits of coconut oil for health

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