9 Reasons to Keep Coconut Oil In Your Daily Routine
People are beginning to realize the benefits of coconut oil beyond just something
that tastes good and is easy to cook with. Coconut oil has been around for hundreds of years and used in many cultures to take care of the body. The uses are varied and combine both topical and internal remedies. The markets are now being flooded with this oil and even Costco is carry large inexpensive jars of organic raw coconut oil. Cultures that use this in the long term seem to have better energy, skin, and overall health. Coconut oil is quite medicinal and once you learn about these top benefits, you’ll most likely be excited to incorporate it into your diet and personal hygiene.
Helps Memory and Cognitive Function
Healthy fats are absolutely essential for healthy brain function. Coconut oil, in it’s raw form, is one of the healthiest fats you can consume. It can even help to stimulate and improve the brain’s capacity to learn and categorize information. The omega fatty acids can help reduce mental conditions like depression, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and dementia. It’s an excellent preventative method for keeping brain problems from developing as well. Scientists are doing extensive research on coconut oil as a cure for these mental conditions and this superfood is being used more widely instead of trans fat alternatives like butter.
Aids in Weight loss
Because coconut oil helps the brain function much better and boosts the mood, it also helps reduce emotional eating which contributes to weight gain. It’s full of nutrients and minerals which will help you feel full and reduce cravings for unhealthy, fattening foods like dairy products.
Increases Energy
For the most part, people think energy comes from protein and caffeine, but fat is the real source of the energy that we need. Coconut oil is easily converted into energy for the body and people will experience a sustained energy from it without any jitters or crash. Imagine having sustained energy and not having any withdrawal headaches or other negative side effects that harmful chemicals give you. Grab a tablespoon of coconut oil instead of a cup of coffee and you’ll feel much better.
Healthy Butter and Cooking Oil Replacement
Many oils have a low smoking point and become carcinogenic when used for cooking. Coconut oil has a high smoking point and, unlike olive oil and grape seed oil, it is more safe to cook with. Instead of oxidizing and turning into a rancid substance, it maintains it’s structure and does not turn into something that is bad for your body. It can be used in place of butter in most recipes and, instead of creating unhealthy cholesterol and clogging the arteries, it helps the brain function better. If you replace butter with coconut oil you will get many useful nutrients that make your hair, skin, and nails healthy instead of doing damage to your body.
Speeds the Metabolism Up
Recent studies have proven that coconut oil actually speeds up the metabolism. The metabolism is regulated by the balance of hormones in the body. If you want to speed up your metabolism, take two tablespoon of coconut oil each day. This will jump start your metabolism as well as regulate your hormones. Your thyroid and glandular system regulate hormones in your body and coconut oil has been proven to help the thyroid as well. You can gain weight if the filter organs, such as the liver, do not remove hormones from your body quickly enough. Coconut oil is also an excellent laxative and helps your digestion and removal of waste and hormones from the body.
Reduces Constipation
This superfood is a powerful antioxidant that reduces the inflammation in the body that leads to constipation. When the intestines are inflamed and swollen they can push on the back and cause back pain. Not to mention, swollen intestines make it harder for food to pass through. Coconut oil helps you absorb other nutrients through the stomach lining and this is a big part of why it will improve your overall health. Instead of passing many of the nutrients right through your body, they will be utilized more efficiently.
Boosts Your Immune System
Believe it or not, coconut oil, like garlic and apple cider vinegar, are very effective at killing viruses and bacteria. There is an acid in coconut oil called lauric acid that will help keep your immune system strong and kill infections. Therefore, taking a regular tablespoon of coconut oil everyday is a great preventive measure to keep serious diseases from entering your body through a weakened immune system.
Brings Emotional Balance
Your thyroid is responsible for balancing the hormones in your body. Your diet and stress levels greatly affect the function of your thyroid (which is located in your neck) as well as your exercise levels. The delicate chemical balance of your hormones can wreak havoc on your emotional stability when it is out of balance. If you have too much estrogen or testosterone, you can be hyper aggressive or hyper sensitive. Studies have found that coconut oil will help to manage the hormone levels in your body to provide more even emotional responses and less extreme outbursts. This could improve your ability to get along with people, maybe help you in your relationships, or help you regulate your emotions at work. Because it elevates mood, you may find things are just easier and people enjoy your company a little more.
Makes the skin look and feel healthy and beautiful
Coconut oil is an excellent topical treatment for dry skin and scalp. The fatty acids are organic and will be easily absorbed into the skin without clogging the pores like a petroleum based lotion would. This organic compound can penetrate deeply into your skin and does not contain the cancer causing parabens that are found in many moisturizing lotions–it even has an appealing aroma. Pregnant mothers often rub coconut oil on their stomachs to prevent stretch marks. Because it fights and kills bacteria and fungus, using it topically can also kill fungi that causes acne. It can reduce wrinkles and the signs of aging specifically.
There are many ways that coconut oil can improve your life. If you want more energy, a better mood naturally, more radiant skin, and regular digestion, this is a great food for you to start eating. Don’t forget that its long term effects will keep your mind sharp and your hair looking great as well.
