Once kicked to the curb due to its high “unhealthy” saturated fat content (nearly 90%), coconut oil is now lauded as a “miracle food” – and is here to stay, in case you haven’t noticed.
For months, I didn’t get the craze. But what finally happened was one day at the grocery store I was buying my favorite brand of cold-brew coffee (another craze in itself) when I noticed a new kind I’d never seen before. The label read “Almond milk with coconut cream plus 2gm MCT.”
At the time, I had no clue what “MCT” was but I felt obliged to grab some. Then I did my due diligence the moment I got home – and discovered what is now considered “The Super Fat.”
Which brings us here. But before we get into the 7 health benefits found in just one teaspoonful of coconut oil, let me take a second to share with you what I found it does for me.
I like to start my day with two pina colada’s for breakfast and have at least one more with lunch and one more with dinner unless it’s the weekend of course, where I usually lose track. Ok, I’m only joking, don’t click off just yet.
Ok, kidding aside, I simply take a teaspoonful right from the jar or add it to my coffee first thing in the morning. It doesn’t always seem to go down too easily but seems to make me feel more alert, more energized, and more satisfied throughout the day.
And once you see all 7 health benefits, I hope you find yourself doing the same thing.
So as I was browsing the web for “MCT” I came across an excellent blog post written by Dr. Axe over at draxe.com. Dr. Axe is considered an expert when it comes to all topics on preventive health, wellness, and nutrition. I recommend you check out the post yourself – by clicking here – to get all 20 benefits and much more – first hand. But right now, I’m going to list my favorite 7 benefits for you right here.
7 Shocking Health Benefits Found In Just One Teaspoonful Of Coconut Oil:
1. Improves memory & cognitive function.
“MCTs are easily absorbed and metabolized by the liver, where they are readily converted to ketone bodies, which serve as an important energy source for the brain.
In a 2004 study published in the Journal of Neurobiology of Aging, researchers found that the MCFAs in coconut oil improved the memory problems in their older subjects.
Across all the patients there was a marked improvement in their recall ability after taking this fatty acid. As the MCFAs are absorbed easily in the body and can be accessed in the brain without the use of insulin. Thus, they are able to fuel brain cells more efficiently. (5)”
2. Fights coronary artery disease and lowers blood pressure.
“Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL cholesterol) in your body but also help convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterols.
By increasing the HDL in the body, it helps promote heart health and lower the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil also benefits the heart by lowering high triglycerides.”
3. As part of a ketone diet can starve cancer cells.
“Coconut oil has two qualities that help it fight cancer: one, because of the ketones produced in its digestion. Tumor cells are not able to access the energy in ketones and are glucose-dependent. It’s believed that a ketogenic diet could be a possible component of helping cancer patients recover.
Two, as the MCFAs digest the lipid walls of bacteria, they also can kill the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that has been known to increase the risk of stomach cancer. Even in studies where cancer is chemically induced, the introduction of coconut oil prevents cancer from developing.”
4. Strengthens the immune system.
In the body lauric acid (an MCT) is converted to monolaurin, one of the compounds found in breast milk that boosts a baby’s immune system. It is like a super-fuel for your cells, your metabolism, your bones, and your brain.
“You can replace grains and sugar in your diet with coconut oil as your natural fuel source when you’re sick. Sugar feeds the growth of bad bacteria. Instead, take one tablespoon of coconut oil three times daily when sick, and consume plenty of vegetables and bone broth as well.
It is now being studied for its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial health-protecting properties.”
5. Boosts cellular metabolism.
“Coconut oil is easy to digest and also produces a longer sustained energy and increases your metabolism. When taking a quality unrefined coconut oil, you can get the most coconut oil benefits as its MCFAs are sent directly to the liver to be converted into energy.
Numerous studies prove that just by eating up to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily will cause your body to burn more calories without changing anything else in your daily routine. (1,2)”
6. It’s great for your hair.
“If you have dandruff or dry hair, coconut oil has the perfect fatty acids to help improve these conditions. In fact, there is so much coconut oil can do for hair. You can make homemade coconut lavender shampoo to improve your hair and use straight coconut oil as an all-natural hair conditioner.
To get rid of dandruff and thicken hair, massage one tablespoon of coconut oil mixed with 10 drops of rosemary essential oil into your scalp for three minutes. Then shower 30 minutes later.”
7. Helps balance your bodies hormones.
“Using coconut oil benefits your hormones as well! Coconut oil may help naturally balance hormones because it’s a great source of saturated fat, including lauric acid. Studies have found that coconut oil may be an excellent fat to consume during menopause and also may have positives effects on estrogen levels. (10)
In order to naturally balance hormones, reduce sugar and grain consumption and load up on healthy fats from coconut, avocado, flax seeds and ghee. You can also consume other coconut forms, such as coconut butter or coconut water.”
Not bad for a fat that has been kicked to the curb for years!
Tips For Using Coconut Oil
- Buy coconut oil that is virgin, organic, cold-pressed, unrefined, and never deodorized or bleached.
- You can use expeller-pressed, unrefined coconut oil for cooking at up to 400 degrees F, so its food for high-heat cooking.
Just don’t get too crazy with the pina coladas!
