In recent years, coconut oil has grown in popularity all over the world, and it has often been classified as a “superfood.” Even the medical community has once shunned coconut oil due to its saturated fat content. With claims of the many benefits coconut oil has, however, from weight loss to aid in the slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease, coconut oil is undoubtedly here to stay, and for good reasons.
Various food manufacturers have started to incorporate coconut oil in their products, ranging from sweets, fried foods, coffee, and smoothies, among many others. Even retailers are now beginning to use coconut oil in packaged products, such as in shampoos or in beauty products. Although nutritionists may not completely agree, a survey showed that about 72% of Americans believed that coconut oil offers more benefits than harm.
In this article, we will share with you several uses and benefits of coconut oil. Keep on reading to find out more.
1. For cooking – there are many ways you can use coconut oil at home – in beauty recipes or for a healthy snack.
- Baking recipes – as a dairy-free alternative to butter
- Smoothies
- Coconut macarons
- Coffee creamer alternative
- Coconut-based granola recipes
2. For beauty – skin, hair, and face
- Hair conditioner
- Hair mask
- Facial wash
- Make-up remover
- Lip scrub or lip balm
- Hydration for the face, hands, and skin
- Massage oil
- Deodorant
The ways you can use coconut oil are endless. You can even use it to make a DIY soap for laundry or even to wash your pets.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Despite the arguments and controversy, coconut oil has many benefits that include but are not limited to:
1. It relieves eczema and skin irritation
Applying coconut oil can greatly reduce the severity of eczema in children by about 30% as compared to mineral oils. Studies also showed that it can improve dermatitis and other skin-related conditions the same way moisturizers and mineral oils do.
2. It improves dental health
Coconut oil can be used as a powerful weapon against bacteria in the mouth, such as Streptococcus mutans. This is the type of bacteria in the mouth that is responsible for tooth decay, gum disease, and dental plaque. One study confirmed that oil pulling, or swishing with coconut oil for about ten minutes, reduces the risk of developing oral problems as effectively as rinsing with the conventional antiseptic mouthwash. Another study also showed that when oil pulling is done daily, it reduced inflammation and plaque in teens with gingivitis.
3. It boosts bone health
Coconut oil has been shown to increase bone density by neutralizing free radicals that damage the cells in the bone. Animal research on rats showed that the antioxidants found in virgin coconut oil protects and enhances bone health. The rats that received eight per cent of their calories from virgin coconut oil had significantly improved bone structure and bone volume.
While many studies are supporting the benefits of coconut oil, most of these are still inconclusive, small, and lab- or animal-based studies. When in doubt, remember to consume coconut oil in moderation and consult the experts.
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