These days, we can’t browse the Internet, social media, or grocery stores without running to coconut oil. Although coconut oil’s benefits are proven in more than 1,500 studies, it still remains the most controversial product sold on the market.
One absolutely untrue fact that most people believe in is that coconut oil is high in saturated fats which can cause heart disease. Another mistake is that many people avoid consuming its calories even though these calories are not the same.
However, coconut oil benefits go beyond what many people realize. This sweet-smelling tropical oil tends to balance blood sugar and insulin levels, stimulate weight loss and prevent different health conditions.
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can provide some of these health benefits:
1. Stabilizes Insulin and Blood Sugar Level
When we hear blood sugar, the first thing that probably comes to our mind is diabetes. This is because this serious disease is characterized by high blood sugar levels.
Fortunately, coconut oil can help us balance blood sugar and insulin levels. However, it does not control blood sugar and insulin directly, but it helps the glucose enter the cells thus reducing the insulin levels in the blood.
That’s why people with this condition should consume food high in other carbohydrates but low in fat and refined sugar. Also, people should tend to consume more balanced meals rich in high-quality fats such as coconut oil.
Additionally, coconut oil slows digestion and lowers the glycemic index of the meal in order to provide steady energy for the body and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which have long-chain fatty acids such as PUFAs, unlike soybean, corn, and canola oils.
The long-chain fatty acids can worsen insulin resistance and the overall condition since they reduce the ability of cells to absorb blood sugar.
2. Promotes Weight Loss
Because of its ability to stabilize blood sugar, it is no wonder that coconut oil can help us get in shape. One tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 120 calories, but those calories are not the same as others.
One important characteristic of coconut oil is thermogenesis. This means that it increases energy, so the more we consume, the more calories we burn.
So, when getting in shape we should exercise more, but we do not need to consume fewer calories – instead, we should consume calories that boost the metabolism and do not suppress it. In this way, our body will be nourished and able to burn fat.
3. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
According to many studies, populations who consume coconut oil in their diet are among the healthiest in the world. Mainly, this is due to the potent health properties that promote heart health.
Unlike other polyunsaturated fatty acid oils, coconut oil does not oxidize when subjected to oxygen, heat, or light. So, it does not cause arterial damage as oxidative stress.
If one has a family history of some heart disease, this oil will significantly improve heart health.
Additional Benefits of Coconut Oil
Due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce the formation of free radicals and prevent oxidative stress and damage. Also, it contains potent:
- Anti-oxidant qualities – prevents any damage by free radicals;
- Anti-inflammatory qualities – reduces inflammation and repairs tissue;
- Anti-microbial qualities – eliminate harmful microbes and prevents infection;
- Anti-bacterial qualities – inhibits bacteria that cause infections, ulcers, and gum disease;
- Anti-fungal qualities – fights yeast and fungus that lead to infections;
- Anti-viral properties– removes parasites, lice, and tapeworms, and fights viruses that cause influenza, hepatitis, herpes, measles, AIDS, and many others.
Sources: WebMD; Healthline
