Coconut oil is called ‘superfood’ because it is a perfect combination of fatty acids that benefit the human body. It helps lose fat, improves brain function and many other positive effects.
This is a list of the top 10 health benefits of coconut oil, confirmed in experiments done on humans.
- Coconut oil contains a unique combination of fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties
Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat. Almost 90% of the fatty acids it contains are saturated.
However, recent studies have shown that saturated fats are actually not harmful. A large number of studies have shown that the “artery-clogging” idea was a myth.
Moreover, the fats in coconut oil are not like the fats contained in cheese or steak.
The fats in them are called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – fatty acids of a medium length.
The majority of the fatty acids in the diet are called long-chain fatty acids, and the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil metabolize in a different way.
From the digestive tract, they go directly to the liver and are being used as a source of energy or are transformed into ketone bodies that have therapeutic effects on brain diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
- Populations that eat a lot of coconut are among the healthiest people on the planet
Coconut is considered to be an “exotic” food in the Western world, consumed by people who look after themselves.
In some parts of the world, however, coconut is a dietary staple on which many generations have thrived.
One of those populations is the Tokelauans from the South Pacific.
More than 60% of the calories they consume are through coconuts and are the biggest saturated fat consumers in the world.
These are healthy people that have no sign heart disease.
Another population of this kind is the Kitavans.
- Coconut oil can increase your energy expenditure, helping you burn more fat
Obesity is one of the most common health issues in today’s time.
Some people think that overweight means taking a lot of calories, while others are convinced that the sources of calories are important as well.
Different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways.
The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil increase the energy more compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats.
It was discovered in a study that 15-30 grams of MCTs a day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5 % which resulted in 120 calories per day.
4. Coconut oil can kill your hunger, making you eat less without ever trying
What is also interesting about coconut oil is that it can reduce hunger.
In a study, different amounts of medium and long chain triglycerides were given to 6 healthy men.
The men who consumed the most MCTs, consumed 256 less calories a day.
In another study, it was discovered that those who ate the most MCTs at breakfast, ate fewer calories at lunch.
5. The fatty acids in coconut oil can boost brain function in Alzheimer’s patients
In Alzheimer’s patients there is less ability to use glucose for energy in some parts of the brain.
Ketone bodties give energy to the brain and researchers have said that ketones can give substitute energy for these malfunctioning cells and lower the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
- The fatty acids in coconut oil are turned into ketones, which can reduce seizures
Currently a diet called ketogenic (low in carb and high in fat) is being studied for treatment of various disorders.
This diet reduces the rate of seizures in epileptic children.
As the MCTs in coconut oil is transported to the liver and transformed into ketone bodies, they are used in epileptic patients to trigger ketosis and allow a bit more carbs in the diet.
- Coconut oil can improve blood cholesterol levels and may lower your risk of heart disease
Saturated fats in coconut oil raise HDL (good) cholesterol and change the LDL cholesterol to a benign subtype.
Some rat studies also showed that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL and improves blood coagulation and antioxidant status, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
Source http://www.healthonlinecentral.com/
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