Coconut, a brown-haired tropical fruit, promises a radiant skin, healthy strands and helps shed few pounds. It is a highly nutritious superfood, packed with fatty acids that can be digested easily. Be it culinary use or therapeutic use, it has become everyone’s favorite. It can cure anything from cardiovascular ailments to dementia. The medium chained fatty acids in coconut are not harmful unlike long-chain fatty acids usually present in our diet. The richness of fiber, iron, vitamin C, E, B1, B3, B5, B6, calcium, magnesium makes it a wonderful choice to lead a healthy lifestyle. Apart from this, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties boost our immune system. It is one of the best natural antibiotic foods. In this article, you will come to know about manifold health and beauty benefits of coconut.
1. Improves Digestion
The anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil help improve digestion and cure other stomach disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome by supporting absorption of nutrients like amino acid, vitamins and minerals. So, incorporate coconut oil in your every day diet.
2. Immunity Booster
Anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of coconut make it an excellent immunity booster. This is because it contains healthy lauric acid which is converted into monolaurin by the body and, thereby wards off viruses and pathogens such as influenza, cytomegalovirus, candida, helicobacter pylori, HIV, etc. You can consume raw coconut, its milk, and water; or use its oil and butter for cooking.
Coconut oil is very effective for weight loss. It contains fewer calories than other oils and is easy to digest. Besides, coconut has a unique amalgamation of fatty acids that aids in burning more energy by increasing body’s metabolism rate. Thus, helps shed a few kilos.
4. Instant Energizer
Instead of sipping a cup of coffee, drink coconut water to get instant energy. MCFA fats in coconut are burnt and converted into energy rather than getting stored. Thus, coconut proves to be a great source of energy and eases symptoms of fatigue.
5. Keeps Heart Healthy
Coconut contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), which reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases good cholesterol level. The presence of 50% of lauric acid in coconut helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
6. Impedes Sugar Cravings
If you have a sweet tooth or extreme craving for sugar, then take a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil. It will surely beat your sugar craving. It increases metabolism rate which, in turn, reduces stress on insulin. This slows down the rate at which sugar is released into blood, thereby reduces sweet cravings.
7. Averts Alzheimer
Alzheimer is one of the most common diseases among elderly individuals. Ketones found in coconut are considered good for brain health. They serve as an alternative source of energy for the cells which cannot use glucose.
The MCFAs in coconut are quickly converted into energy which controls blood sugar levels and improves insulin secretion.
9. Heals Thyroid
Unlike other oils, coconut oil has a positive effect on thyroid. Since, it contains lauric acid which is rarely found in nature that helps thyroid gland to function normally. All you need to do is – replace unhealthy oils with coconut oil.
10. Prevents Kidney and Liver Disorders
Medium Chain Triglycerides fatty acids (MCFA’s) in coconut acts as a detoxifying agent and promotes proper functioning of kidney and liver. Apart from this, the anti-viral and anti-fungal properties of coconut improve the metabolism.
11. Exterminates Candida
The excellent antifungal properties in coconut oil ward off Candida that is caused due to excessive growth of candida yeast in stomach. Capric acid, caprylic acid, and lauric acid in coconut give it anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help destroy Candida yeast cells.
12. No More Diaper Rashes
Coconut is anti-viral and anti-fungal. Lauric and caprylic acid in coconut oil kills the fungus that causes diaper rash. Thus, it heals the diaper rash and soothes your baby’s skin.
13. Curbs Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose their density and become thin. Coconut improves body’s ability to absorb calcium and magnesium. Also, it is a good source of protein and fatty acids that strengthen bones.
14. Hormonal Balance
Medium chain fatty acids in the coconut keep the hormones in check. Therefore, consuming ¼th cup of coconut oil a day naturally balances your hormones.
15. Prevents HIV
Being anti-inflammatory and anti-viral in nature, coconut has the potential to kill virus that causes AIDS. Though coconut is not a cure for it, but it may prevent HIV/AIDS.
16. Thwarts Cancer
The anti-microbial properties of coconut prevents spreading and development of cancer cells.
Beauty Benefits of Coconut
17. Lightens Wrinkles
Coconut contains fibrous protein called collagen that keeps connecting tissues of skin strong, and thereby prevents wrinkles. Applying coconut oil on skin on daily basis lightens fine lines and adds glow to your face.
18. Dump Dandruff
Coconut is naturally anti-fungal that makes it a perfect remedy to treat dandruff at home. Apply coconut oil to your scalp overnight and rinse off with shampoo next day. Do this at least twice a week until you get rid of dandruff.
19. Anti-Aging
Skin starts losing elasticity due to presence of free radicals in our body. Anti-oxidants in coconut not only prevent the formation of free radicals, but also eliminate them thereby prevent pre-mature aging.
20. Healthier Hair
Massaging your hair scalp with coconut oil improves blood circulation and increases supply of oxygen to nourish your hair.
21. Treats Eczema
The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial properties of coconut oil reduce inflammation and itching caused by eczema. Moreover, the abundance of lauric acid, caprylic acid, Vitamin E, and K present in coconut prevents further infection and soothes the skin.
22. Moisturizes Dry Skin
Being a natural moisturizer coconut treats dry skin very well without any adverse effects; thus, makes your skin soft and supple. Apart from this, coconut is a good source of vitamin E which helps prevent dryness.
23. Dental Care
Coconut is well off with calcium which is an essential nutrient for teeth. Thus, effectual in maintaining dental care and gives you stronger and healthy teeth. You can also swish coconut oil around your mouth to get rid of harmful bacteria that may create plaque.
24. Checks Acne
Coconut is a detoxifying agent that prevents the built-up of blood toxins and controls the excessive production of sebum which causes acne. In addition, it removes dead skin cells and cleanses the clogged pores.
25. Heals Burns
Coconut oil is an effective burn healer. Its cooling effect soothes the burnt area, wounds and cuts; thus, keeps the skin moisturized. Besides, this therapeutic oil relieves pain and heals scars or marks.
26. Goodbye to Split-Ends
Coconut oil is found to be more effectual as compared to other oils in preventing split-ends. Lauric acid combines hair protein and prevents hair strands from breakage.
27. Controls Graying of Hair
Being packed with antioxidants, coconut oil can reverse grey hair when used on regular basis. It adds sheen to the dry hair, stimulates hair growth, and wards off infection.
28. Save Your Falling Hair
To keep your strands healthy and nourished, apply coconut oil and some lemon juice to it. It provides protein and prevents hair loss. Thus, protects your locks from getting damaged.
29. Reduces Dryness of Hair
Coconut oil moisturizes strands and protects them from heat and pollution, since it penetrates deep into the hair shaft. Anti-oxidants and nutrients in coconut make your hair soft and silky.
30. Promotes Hair Growth
Massage you hair with warm coconut oil for at least three minutes. Cover your hair with a shower cap for 20-30 minutes or overnight; and rinse off with a preservative free shampoo. Application of coconut oil on regular basis smoothen your locks and promotes healthy growth.
31. Protects Head from Lice
Give a hot oil treatment to your head if you wish to get rid of head lice. This oil suffocates lice and its lubricating nature loosens the grip of lice on hair and does not allow them to move freely. It also prevents the multiplication of eggs.
