Coconut oil is not only used for cooking purposes. There are various benefits of coconut oil that are also good for body health, 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). A good coconut oil is virgin coconut oil, not refined coconut oil.
Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconuts without being processed using additional chemicals or processed without high temperatures. It is intended that natural ingredients, such as compounds phenolic, is not lost or damaged. Compound phenolic acts as an antioxidant.
In addition, the compounds in coconut oil, such as lauric, caprylic, and capric acids, can support the growth of probiotics in the digestive tract that function 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 on a diet program to lose weight, you can use virgin coconut oil as cooking oil or a salad mix.
The nutritional content in virgin coconut oil is believed to increase metabolism, so that fat in the body will burn faster and be converted into energy.
In addition, the use of coconut oil can also provide a longer full effect, so it can suppress hunger and prevent you from eating too much food.
Although it is claimed to be good for people who want to lose weight, so far data on the effectiveness of coconut oil for the diet is still limited so further research is still needed.
However, keep in mind that when it comes to losing weight, you can’t just rely on coconut oil alone. You still need to exercise regularly and have 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 hardening of the walls of blood vessels due to the buildup of plaque on the walls of blood vessels. Thus, the risk of heart disease will decrease.
However, if you have a history of heart disease, you are advised to consult a doctor first regarding the consumption of coconut oil.
3. Reduce bad fat levels
Other benefits of coconut oil that are also claimed to be good for health are 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 to be studied further.
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 needed to prove these benefits.
Currently, there are many virgin coconut oil products that are sold in the market and are easily obtained 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. Especially if you have certain medical conditions.
