Coconut oil is a staple in the diets of many nutritionists, raw vegans, health nuts, Pacific Islanders, and the list goes on and on. If you’ve never heard of the benefits of coconut oil or used it in cooking, then you’re really missing out. Coconut oil tastes good, makes you feel good, and makes you look good. What’s more important than all that, though, is that it makes you healthier. This article will examine the top 11 benefits of coconut oil.
The next time you’re at the health food store and see that shining, translucent bottle of extra-virgin, raw, organic coconut oil, you won’t have any excuse not to pick it up and take it home as a part of your new diet-based health program. You’ll likely discover it’s one of your new favorite foods and a great addition to your kitchen, both to help prepare and flavor your new favorite meals. This miracle oil will benefit your skin, hair, weight, digestive health, and immune system. You can use coconut oil topically, as a standalone supplement like you would take cod liver oil, or in your food preparation and flavoring.
1. Helps Combat High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
There are over 1,500 studies showing that coconut oil is beneficial for your health, and some of those studies point to its clear benefits in combating high blood pressure and heart disease. Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, and while that might seem like a bad thing, it’s actually a good thing. Saturated fats have been given a bad reputation, but the negative effects of trans fatty acids and fried vegetable oils have sometimes been lumped in with saturated fats. Saturated fats increase the healthy (HDL) cholesterol and lower the bad (LDL) cholesterol. It also lowers triglycerides in the blood.