Coconut oil is not only used for cooking purposes. There are various benefits of coconut oil which are also good for the health of the body, from losing weight to maintaining heart health.
Coconut fruit can not only be processed into various types of food but also into coconut oil (coconut oil). Good coconut oil is pure coconut oil, not refined coconut oil.
Pure coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconuts without being processed using additional chemicals or processed without high temperatures. This is so that the natural ingredients, such as phenolic compounds, are not lost or damaged. Phenolic compounds act as antioxidants.
In addition, compounds in coconut oil such as lauric, caprylic, and capric acids can support the growth of probiotics in the digestive tract which functions to fight bad bacteria.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Health
The following are some of the health benefits of coconut oil:
1. Lose weight
For those of you who are running a diet program to lose weight, you can use virgin coconut oil as cooking oil or a mixture of salads.
The nutritional content in virgin coconut oil is believed to increase metabolism, so that fat in the body will be burned more quickly and converted into energy.
In addition, using coconut oil can also have a longer full effect, so it can suppress hunger and prevent you from consuming too much food.
Even though it is claimed to be good for people who want to lose weight, so far data on the effectiveness of coconut oil for diets is still limited so further research is still needed.
However, please note that when it comes to losing weight, you can't just rely on coconut oil alone. You still need to exercise regularly and follow a healthy and balanced diet.
2. Maintain heart health
The benefits of coconut oil for heart health are thought to come from the polyphenol content. Polyphenols are known to prevent atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the blood vessel walls due to plaque buildup on the blood vessel walls. Thus, the risk of heart disease will decrease.
However, if you have a history of heart disease, you are advised to consult with your doctor first about consuming coconut oil.
3. Reducing bad fat levels
Another benefit of coconut oil that is also claimed to be good for health is reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
This effect can maintain the health of the heart and blood vessels. However, several studies have shown that consumption of coconut oil only increases levels of good fats, but does not have a significant impact on reducing total cholesterol and bad fats in the blood.
Therefore, the benefits of coconut oil on this one still need further research.
4. Prevent diabetes
The fatty acids in coconut oil are thought to improve glucose tolerance in the body. In the case of type 2 diabetes, coconut oil is believed to improve insulin sensitivity. However, further research is still needed to prove these benefits.
Currently, many pure coconut oil products are sold in the market and are easy to obtain at varying prices. However, before you buy it, always pay attention to the instructions for use and the expiration date of the coconut oil product.
In addition, consult your doctor first if you want to use coconut oil as a natural ingredient to support and maintain health. Moreover, if you have certain medical conditions.