What's all the buzz, can coconut oil improve your health? YES!!
Coconut oil has a wide array of health benefits, we will just look at a few of those benefits.
WEIGHT LOSS
For decades, scientist have known Coconut ability to blast fat. A study published in the journal of toxicology in 1985 proved that a single injection of capric acid ( which abounds in coconut oil) resulted in gradual decrease in body weight. Further studies have shown that its the capric acids and other medium chain tryglycerides (MCTs) can increase 24 hour energy expenditure in humans by 5 percent. Burning extra 100 to 120 per day may not seem much but imagine that daily over a year, it amounts to over 36,000 calories.
GREAT FOR SKIN AND HAIR
Studies on individuals with dry skin show that coconut oil increases lipid and moisture contents of the skin. Coconut oil can also prevent hair damage. One with dry hair or dandruff, coconut oil is filled with fatty acids that can improve this conditions.
Coconut oil can also serve as a sunscreen which can block about 20 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
LOWERS RISK OF HEART DISEASES
Based on numerous clinical studies, increased level of plasma cholesterol due to high-low liprotein (LDL) are correlated to coronary heart disease
High-density liprotein (HDL) have been proven to have an inverse relationship with heart diseases.
In a contolled study, Virgin coconut oil (VCO), was compared to Copra oil (CO) on its ability to affect lipid parameters. Investigators discovered that the cholesterol in serum, liver, and heart of the VCO treated group was significantly lower compared to the CO group.
Furthermore, HDL cholesterol was significantly increased in VCO-fed animals, where as similar results where not seen in any other treatment groups.
This led researchers to believe that there is a positive correlation between coconut oil and HDL cholesterol, thereby allowing coconut oil to help prevent heart events.
The image above is my homemade Coconut oil.