The benefits and harms of coconut oil: composition, nutritional value.

Coconut oil – a unique product made from coconut pulp. It is widely used in cosmetology, as it is able to maintain hair, skin and nails in excellent condition, which gives a person beauty and health for many years. In addition, there is also edible coconut oil, which is suitable for internal use and also provides invaluable benefits to the human body.

Coconut oil differs from other vegetable oils in that it contains a lot of saturated fat rather than unsaturated fat. It is so rich in saturated fat that it surpasses even butter, which is why many consider it unhealthy. Today there is a lot of controversy, whether it is or not, however, the benefits and harms of coconut oil for human health have a place to be.

The benefits of coconut oil

• Coconut oil contains 90% saturated fat… Those who think that the saturated fat in coconut oil is harmful are probably wrong. Studies have shown that the saturated fat of coconut is unlike the saturated fat of animal origin found in cheese, meat, or the previously mentioned butter. In medicine, saturated animal fats are known as long-chain fats, while coconut oils are known as medium-chain fats. This also implies their different digestion in the digestive system, which subsequently prevents various diseases of the brain.
• Great for sports and diet… Most of the people on our planet are predominantly overweight rather than underweight. Many people are mistaken that it all depends on the calories consumed. Yes, this is also true, but the fact from which product you get these calories is also important. Any product is digested by the body in different ways. Thus, coconut oil, which contains saturated fats, which, as we already know, are considered medium-chain triglycerides, in the process of metabolism release more energy than long-chain fats in the same amount, and its consumption increases by 5%, which is equal to 120 calories. Due to the higher energy expenditure, you will also lose more weight by burning fat directly, especially in the belly area. In addition, consuming coconut oil makes you feel full, which, accordingly, allows you to include less food in your diet. This is due to the ketone bodies of coconut oil, which are known to reduce appetite.
• Fights diseases of the cardiovascular system, lowers cholesterol levels… Thanks to saturated fatty acids, which are rich in coconut oil, “bad” cholesterol is removed from the body and the level of “good” cholesterol rises, the functionality of the anti-clotting and clotting systems is normalized. All this speaks of its preventive effect against many diseases of the heart and blood vessels. This is also confirmed by statistics. People living in third world countries get more than half of their calories from coconuts and thus consume saturated fat more than all other inhabitants of our planet. They are the ones who know nothing about heart problems, and their general health is much better than that of people living in developed countries, where healthy food does not always come first.
• Regular consumption of coconut oil relieves cramps… Ketone bodies, into which the fatty acids of coconut are converted in the process of metabolism, are now actively used in medicine for children with epilepsy who are not helped by drug treatment. By taking coconut oil, the level of ketones in the body rises to the highest possible. It is ketone bodies that significantly reduce the number of epileptic seizures in patients.
• Destroys bacteria and viruses with lauric acid… Lauric acid is found in 50% of the fatty acids that make up coconut oil. This acid and its metabolites are able to fight a huge number of infectious diseases, as well as speed up the healing process by killing viruses, fungi and bacteria, including candida and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Normalizes brain function in Alzheimer’s patients… The brain in people with Alzheimer’s does not use glucose in full, but it is it that fuels it with energy. Then, as an alternative to glucose, coconut oil ketones act, which become a new source of energy for diseased brain cells, which reduces the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Coconut oil is widely used in cosmetology… With an abundance of nutrients, coconut oil can also be used not only for its consumption, but also for external use in cosmetology to maintain excellent condition of hair and skin. Coconut oil moisturizes the skin, restores its lipid composition, and reduces the effect of ultraviolet rays on it by 20%. In addition, you can rinse your mouth with coconut oil as it has an antibacterial effect, positively affecting the health of teeth, gums and mucous membranes.

Harm of coconut oil

• High content of saturated fatty acids… In this case, the proverb “no silver lining” is perceived exactly the opposite, that is, the vaunted saturated fats of coconut oil, according to some scientists, can still harm human health, even though they differ in their molecular composition from saturated fats of animal origin … Saturated fatty acids can cause an allergic reaction, irritation of the stomach and intestines, and aggravate cholecystitis and pancreatitis.
• Excessive consumption of coconut oil can lead to obesity… The main thing in consuming coconut oil regularly is to stick to servings: 1-2 tablespoons a day will be more than enough. Otherwise, the metabolism will be disrupted, which will lead to weight gain.

In conclusion, we can say that coconut oil is a truly unique remedy for many diseases, and the benefits and harms of coconut oil are more dependent on the amount of its use. It remains for you to decide which scientists to believe – those who insist that saturated fats of coconut are good for health or those who deny it.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of coconut oil

Video on the benefits of coconut oil