Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Oils have had a bad reputation for a long time. The advent of low-fat diets has had everyone running scared and associating eating any fats with becoming fat. The talk about the danger of having high cholesterol, rising obesity, the increase in 'low fat' products, skim milks, etc, has all combined to make the general public very wary of eating anything with oil in it. But we need fats, good fats. And there is a massive difference between the two.

Bad fats are toxic to the body and should be avoided like the plague. The kinds of oils we should be consuming are those that are not hydrogenated, are in their virgin form and haven't been cooked or heated. Virgin Coconut oil fills all these boxes and many more. It has many fantastic health benefits and is a product that should be used in every home, not just in the kitchen either! If there is one product you should go out and buy right now, it's organic, extra virgin coconut oil.

The kind of fat found in coconuts is the same to that found in human breast milk. It provides fuel which is converted directly into energy, rather than being stored as fat, and actually protects the arteries, preventing heart disease. The populations that consume the highest amount of coconut oil have the lowest rates of heart disease and best cardiovascular health in the world. The size of the MCFA's means the body is better able to digest them, and because they do not circulate in the blood for as long, they do not clog the arteries or contribute to gaining excess weight.

Coconut oil supports the immune system -

 It contains lauric acid, which has powerful anti viral and anti-bacterial effects. Lauric acid disrupts the fatty membranes of invading organisms, strengthening the body's ability to fend off organisms that are able to enter the body. It has also shown to be useful in the treatment of severe bacterial infections.

Provides an immediate source of energy - it is absorbed into the body quickly and sent directly to the liver where it's able to increase the metabolism, improving detoxification and regulation of the body's processes.

Increases and supports metabolism - A study by farmers in the 1940's saw them feed coconut oil to their cattle in an attempt to fatten them up and increase body fat. Paradoxically, the study actually resulted in healthier, leaner, more active cattle!

Tastes and smells great - Added to any food, whether sweet or savoury, it adds a beautiful subtle flavour which does not overpower the flavour of the meal.

Skin - A far better alternative than harsh chemical products, organic virgin coconut oil is a natural moisturiser which has demonstrated effectiveness in treating eczema, dermatitis, and other skin conditions. It balances the PH of the skin, penetrating quickly to create a protective barrier to microbes.

With the many health benefits of coconut oil and it's ability to be used in many ways around the home, I believe coconut oil is definitely one addition you should make to your pantry and bathroom.