Can Coconut Oil Help You Lose Weight?

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Sep 04, 2020 05:59 AM EDT

Coconut oil has countless benefits when it comes to one's health. These benefits include keeping your skin soft and lowering your blood sugar levels.

But who knew that coconut oil can help you with your fitness goals?

Many people who are looking to lose some pounds are incorporating coconut oil to their meals, snacks, and beverages. Sometimes it is taken with coffee drinks and smoothies.

Coconut is hailed as nature's superfood due to the many benefits it gives. It has also been called the "tree of life."

Coconut oil is considered as a healthy fat. However, it is unclear whether this popular product is really effective for weight loss as many people say.

But where does the popular belief originate?

The belief that coconut oil promotes weight loss is based on the claim that it suppresses hunger. Coconut also contain specific fats called medium-chain triglycerides. Aside from that, coconut oil enhances the feeling of fullness and increase appetite regulation.

Research found that adding fat-rich foods like coconut oil to meals may increase stomach volume, giving the greater feeling of fullness. But it is still important to note that like all fats, such as coconut oil, is high in calories.

However, reports say that not all coconut oil is the same. Virgin coconut oil is considered the best variety when you are trying to lose weight.

Studies suggest that the way medium-chain fatty acids are digested by your stomach, they more it helps metabolism and increase energy.

Losing weight is not the supposed benefit of coconut oil to your body. An early study on coconut oil suggest that it does not only provide overall heart health but also low rates of heart disease.

Many populations around the world have thrived for generations for eating substantial amount of coconut. Kitavan people in Papua New Guinea is one example of this.

Coconut oil can also boost brain function in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suggest that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for these malfunctioning brain cells.

However, research on this is still preliminary and no evidence shows that coconut itself fights the illness. In addition, coconut oil has around 50 percent of lauric acid.

When your body digests this, it forms a substance called monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogen such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

There are also some data that claims using coconut oil as a mouthwash. However, researchers consider this evidence weak.

Coconut oil is not only famed for its health benefits. Some also uses this for cosmetic purposes. Some use this to improve the overall appearance of their hair and skin.

Studies show that coconut oil can improve the moisture content of dry skin. It also shows that it can reduce symptoms of eczema.

Coconut oil can also protect hair from damage. One study shows that that it may work as a weak sunscreen, which can block around 20 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Coconut oil can be used as an additional boost to a good diet and right amount of exercise when it comes to keeping yourself healthy.