Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconuts can be more than just delicious.  In fact, it provides numerous health benefits unrelated to consumption.  Known as a great 'super food', coconut and coconut oil have been used for many years by many different groups of people for both it's nutritional value and health benefits. 

Weight Loss - Coconut oil contains high amounts of medium-chain triglycerides.  These MCT's have been shown to provide two functions as it pertains to weight loss.  First, MCT's boost the body's metabolism and increase calorie burn.  Second, studies have shown that people who consume MCTs have been shown to consume less food in general during the day.

Moisturizer - Widely used in cosmetics, lotions, and hygiene products, coconut oil is great for restoring and improving the health and appearance of our skin and hair. 

Sun Screen - Another popular ingredient in sun screens, coconut oil has been shown to absorb up to 20% of the sun's ultraviolet rays. 

Deodorant - Coconut oil contains high concentrations of lauric acid and monolaurin.  Both have shown the ability to kill bacteria and other harmful pathogens.  Bacteria is a major source of body odor and having the ability to control bacterial growth is vital in preventing body odor.  Coconut oil is often used either as a stand alone deodorant remedy or as an additional ingredient in home made versions.

Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease - Studies have shown that coconut oil is able to improve LDL and HDL cholesterol levels.  This in turn is believed to reduce risk factors for developing heart disease.

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