Coconut oil has gained immense popularity in recent years across the world due to its uncountable Virgin Coconut oil health benefits. It is known to be the healthiest edible oil. Coconut tree nowadays is known to be the ‘lifeline of health’ due to their all-around benefits and uses. But let’s talk of a more considerate version of coconut oil, virgin coconut oil. Virgin oil is taken directly from the fresh milk of the coconut. It is not a refined version like regular coconut oil. Furthermore, it also contains more antioxidants than regular coconut oil. So, here we have pointed some virgin coconut oil benefits, uses, and side effects.
10 Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil has many benefits for our overall health. But we can’t point down all the goodness of it here, so here we have listed the significant health benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil.
1. Controls Cholesterol Level
Virgin oil contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are healthy fats and help in reducing LDL bad cholesterol. However, bad cholesterol can develop fatty acids in blood vessels, but medium & short-chain fatty acids in virgin coconut oil generate HDL in the body.
It is a good source of energy that helps in the fat burn from the body. Virgin oil is highly recommended for cooking purposes, as it promotes heart health & keeps unnecessary fats at bay.
Also Read: Best Cooking Oils in India
2. Improves Dental Health
Nowadays, oil pulling had become a reviving trend from ancient times when Ayurveda was established and promoted. It is a practice of sloshing oil in the mouth for a minute or two but on an empty stomach. Virgin coconut oil has lauric acid, which is associated with antimicrobial properties that helps in dental health.
The antibacterial components have the ability to detoxify the mouth, protect & cleanse it from harmful bacterias. It prevents several dental problems such as plaque, bad breathe (halitosis), gum diseases, food debris, and much.
3. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
A lower LDL cholesterol level is desirable for a healthy heart, and coconut cold-pressed oil is advantageous. Saturated fats in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
Although there’s no evidence if coconut oil is highly beneficial for the heart, its inadequate intake amount can indeed reduce heart diseases chances.
4. Excellent Stress Reliever
Virgin coconut oil has medium-chain triglycerides MCTs that provide instant energy to the brain, as it can’t store energy & the glucose it requires. So, MCT in cold-pressed coconut oil in the liver breaks down the stored fats and produces ketones that give the brain instant energy.
After concluding from studies, it has been stated that virgin coconut oil has antidepressant & anti-inflammatory functions due to the presence of medium-chain fatty acids & antioxidants. And that reduces psychological effects like stress and anxiety.
5. Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits for Weight Loss
One of the major benefits of virgin coconut oil is that it can increase enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase, that aids in losing weight. Additionally, studies show that virgin coconut oil triggers the production of bile, which helps the body in digestion and ultimately helps to remove fats.
Its essential elements like Vitamin E, antioxidants, and polyphenols help maintain the body’s hormone level. Virgin coconut oil for weight loss is the ideal tip because it is an unrefined oil easy to digest compared to other edible oils.
Also Read: MCT Oil Benefits
6. Powers Your Immune System
Medium Chain Fatty Acids present in Coconut Oil are caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid, which helps in destroying microbial organisms, prevents the entering of viruses and their maturation. MCTs evenly clean the liver and produce the healthiest saturated fats, easily absorbed by the body.
Virgin coconut oil improves metabolism and eventually strengthens the immune system. People with weaker immunity are recommended to intake 2 tbsp of virgin coconut oil to boost immunity.
7. Digestive Health
This oil has essential fatty acids like lauric acid and monolaurin, which possess potent antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. In addition, they promote easy stools & reduce bowels irritation aiding good & complete digestion.
In addition, to the cold-pressed coconut oil benefits, MCTs also assist in managing various fungus problems, bacteria, and parasites that cause several gut issues. Also, it reduces the growth of harmful yeast infections.
8. Virgin Coconut Oil Improves Bone Health
Coconut oil has vital minerals like calcium and magnesium that directly support bone health. Moreover, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in virgin coconut oil help relieve joint pain and swelling in bones.
In some scientific researches, it is evident that saturated fatty acid named lauric acid in virgin coconut oil aids in the problems related to osteoarthritis.
9. Helps in Wounds & Injuries
Coconut oil acts as a thick, protective, and moisturizing layer while the skin heals from wounds and scars. In addition, its collagen production assists in binding new tissues in the skin to help reduce redness or hyperpigmentation.
10. Advantageous For a Diabetic
Virgin coconut oil is helpful for type 2 diabetic people as it reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) from the body and produces glucose amount from MCTs.
Also Read:- Benefits of Olive Oil
Virgin Coconut Oil Side Effects
Coconut oil is primarily safe when consumed in moderate amounts, but excess intake might cause problems. This is because coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fat and other harmful elements that are not good in high amounts. So, you must check the side effects of virgin coconut oil before you use it.
1. Chances of Allergies
Virgin coconut oil doesn’t intend allergy unless someone is allergic to it for reasons. Moreover, sometimes allergic reactions include hives and anaphylaxis, which lead to disturbed breathing.
2. Be Precautious With the Liver
Its medium-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver and converts into energy. However, it can cause some trouble to the liver if taken in high quantity.
3. Can Cause Acne Breakout
This is more prone to people who already have oily skin. Even though lauric acid in virgin oil helps in treating acne but excess usage can trigger acne also.
4. Intestine Can Be Distressed
People with fructose malabsorption problems must check the quantity of virgin coconut oil before intaking it because it can cause digestive issues.
5. May Get Problematic in Oil Pulling
Some people are coconut oil sensitive, so one must avoid using coconut oil for oil pulling purposes. Instead, you can use sunflower or sesame oil for the same.
Also Read:- Cacao Benefits
Virgin Coconut Oil Uses
Coconut oil is way too popular than any other oil. There are several health benefits of virgin coconut oil. In addition, it’s a very flexible and versatile oil to use in many different ways. If you are unsure of its uses yet, we picked the best virgin coconut oil uses.
1. Moisturize Your Skin
It’s a very pure, chemical-free & natural moisturizer for any skin type. It helps to repair cracked heels as well.
2. Used for Cooking
Virgin coconut oil is an ideal edible oil that you can use in any way in the kitchen for cooking.
3. Use to Reduce Belly Fat
Virgin coconut oil can be beneficial in reducing your stomach fat in a very healthy way. You can ideally take 2 tbsp of it per day to bring a change in your inches.
4. Protects Skin from Sun
Use it as a sun shield that prevents your skin from burning through UV rays. It can block 20% of the sun’s UV rays.
5. Immediate Skin Irritation Reliever
It potentially improves dermatitis, eczema, & other skin disorders if applied inappropriate amount & time.
6. Works as a Natural Deodorant
However, your sweat has no smell, but the bacteria stuck on your skin can produce undesirable odors which virgin coconut oil can prevent. Its potent antibacterial properties make it an eminent natural deodorant that contains no chemicals.
FAQs
Virgin coconut oil has fatty and saturated acids that can increase cholesterol levels in taken in large quantities. Thus, it is recommended to intake only 2 tbsp in a day
A lower LDL cholesterol level is good for a healthy heart, and coconut cold-pressed oil is advantageous. Saturated fats in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
For children, it is advisable not to give more than 2 tbsp of coconut oil.
