Table of contents:
- What are the benefits of virgin coconut oil?
- 1. Sharpen the cognitive function of the brain
- 2. Kills bacteria and viruses that cause infection
- 3. Reducing the frequency of seizures in children
- 4. Smooth digestion
- 5. Helps you lose weight
Virgin coconut oil (VCO), aka virgin coconut oil, is believed to have a higher quality than ordinary coconut oil because they both go through different extraction processes. Virgin coconut oil is obtained directly from fresh coconut milk without going through the process of heating, refining, bleaching, and fragrance so that it does not change the natural properties of the oil. And it turns out, the health benefits of virgin coconut oil are amazing.
What are the benefits of virgin coconut oil?
1. Sharpen the cognitive function of the brain
One of the most beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil is its medium chain fatty acid (MCT) content.
MCTs are not only more easily absorbed by the liver than other types of fatty acids, but are also metabolized more quickly. This means that these healthy fatty acids can be further processed into ketones which can be utilized by the brain as its main energy source. Coupled with a low-carbohydrate diet, ketone intake can provide up to 70% of the brain's energy needs and has been shown to have a possible therapeutic effect in people suffering from memory loss, as in the case of Alzheimer's disease.
Additionally, the unique phenolic compounds and hormones found in virgin coconut oil may prevent beta amyloid peptide aggregation, which is part of a leading theory on the causes of Alzheimer's.
2. Kills bacteria and viruses that cause infection
Nearly 50 percent of the fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are lauric acid. When lauric acid is digested, these healthy fatty acids turn into a substance called monolaurin. Lauric acid and monolaurin are known to kill harmful pathogens that cause infection, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
More specifically, the two substances in coconut oil have been shown to be able to kill the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and the yeast Candida Albicans, a common cause of many fungal infections. Lauric acid is also known to be good for your heart health by reducing total cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.
The proven benefits of virgin coconut oil are to prevent and treat stomach ulcers, cavities and food poisoning.
3. Reducing the frequency of seizures in children
The MCT content in virgin coconut oil is sent directly to the liver to be processed into ketones which are sent to the brain as the main energy source. If virgin coconut oil is consumed regularly along with a low-carbohydrate diet, this in turn increases the blood concentration of ketone bodies, which can help reduce the incidence of seizures in children with epilepsy - even in children whose seizures cannot be controlled by medication.
4. Smooth digestion
Virgin coconut oil plays a big role in helping you have a better digestive system by helping the body to more effectively absorb fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. Several studies have shown that the MCTs in virgin coconut oil can actually promote the complete breakdown and digestion of lipids by increasing the efficiency of enzymes related to metabolism.
5. Helps you lose weight
Apart from helping to combat memory and brain disorders, consumption of medium-chain fatty acids, found in virgin coconut oil, has been shown to increase the number of calories you burn compared to other fatty acids. In other words, the body can easily convert fat to be used into energy. Ketones, as a form of energy produced by fat metabolism, are known to have the effect of reducing appetite.
Additionally, virgin coconut oil appears to be very effective at reducing belly fat, which is the most dangerous of all body fat deposits and is strongly associated with many chronic diseases.
This method is important for people who are undergoing a weight loss program, because basically virgin coconut oil helps increase your metabolism. One study found that daily intake of 15-30 grams of MCTs increased energy expenditure in 24 hours by up to 5 percent (about 120 calories per day). Therefore, the benefits of virgin coconut oil also include aiding weight loss dramatically if consumed in the long term.
