5 health and beauty benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil really is a trooper. A tropical trooper. This humble oil is not only an incredible internal medicine, but a brilliant beauty product, too.

Without getting into too much of the science stuff, coconut oil contains 92 per cent saturated fat, two thirds of which are made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These MCFAs are smaller than most fatty acids, which enables your body to easily absorb and digest them. This means coconut oil doesn’t put pressure on your digestive system, and your body is able to use it as energy, quickly and efficiently. It also contains lauric acid, a powerful component with anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties.

You still with me? Now that we’ve made it through the facts and figures, here are five superb ways coconut oil can help improve your health and your appearance…

5 HEALTH AND BEAUTY BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL

#1. It aids weight loss

Studies have proven coconut oil to be effective at increasing body metabolism and increasing thyroid activity, as well as reducing abdominal obesity. To make use of its weight-loss powers, try adding one teaspoon of coconut oil to your daily diet, before increasing to four teaspoons per day.

#2. It can help curb sugar cravings and energy slumps

Don’t reach for the lolly jar – reach for the coconut oil jar instead. Consuming coconut oil when sugar cravings hit will not only give you an instant energy hit, it’ll spare you from the crash and burn sensation that using follows sugar and simple carbohydrate intake because it doesn’t cause an insulin spike in your blood stream. Your tastebuds will also love the sweet, delicious flavour of this quality oil, despite it not containing a single gram of sugar.  

#3. It makes for a great anti-ageing moisturiser

Coconut oil is magnificent when it comes to hydrating your skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it helps boost the strength of your skin’s connective tissues. It’s also easily absorbed by your skin, contains antioxidant properties to help protect against free radical damage, and its anti-bacterial benefits make it a great acne treatment, too. Apply it from top-to-toe for healthy, glowy skin.

#4. It’s a fantastic cooking oil

In fact, it’s the healthiest oil you can cook with thanks to its super-high smoke point and ability to remain stable enough to deliver health benefits when at a high temperature. So, whenever you need to use olive, vegetable or canola oil, swap it out for coconut oil. It also makes a great substitute for butter and margarine.

#5. It eases digestion issues

If you suffer from any digestion or stomach issues (read: irritable bowel syndrome, candida, bloating or tummy bugs), consuming coconut oil can help. Thanks to the anti-microbial properties in its fatty acids, this oil has a soothing affect on the bacteria and parasites that cause your digestion issues. Its fatty acids also enable your body to better absorb nutrients.

AND ONE MORE (REALLY IMPORTANT!) THING…

Not all coconut oils are created equal. We recommend only purchasing organic, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil. That way you know you’re getting the best of the best, and will definitely be able to reap all the amazing benefits mentioned above.

5 OF THE BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN COCONUT OIL

1. Formula 10.0.6 Keep Your Cool Breakout Calming Mask
2. People for Plants Ginkgo, Coconut & Shea Body Cream
3. Pure Fiji Exotic Bath & Body Massage Oil
4. Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème
5. The Jojoba Company Jojoba Bead Facial Cleanser ($34.95, 125mL, 02 9651 3030)

Do you consume organic coconut oil on a regular basis? Have you ever used it as a moisturiser? Did you know it had so many health and beauty benefits?