Coconut Oil - Poison or Elixir?

Food, Medicines, and Lies

The Health Talk series by Dr. Prritii

The debate is on. One party refers to coconut oil as poison for the body, the other doesn’t stop singing its health benefits. The truth is found somewhere in the middle. Multiple studies claim coconut oil to be the healthiest oil on the planet. Claimed to aid memory and brain function, coconut oil in a household is used to fight weight loss as well as cancer. But you may wonder how exactly does this magic potion work?

After the meat of the coconut fruit is extracted, the pulp is dried and pressed to make oil. With high smoking temperate of 350 degrees, it is considered an excellent option for cooking meals! The best part? It can solidify and liquefy according to temperature and thus can be used in both forms.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil and Its Uses in Daily Life as Well:

1. Supports Weight Loss: As opposed to common perception, NOT ALL FATS MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT! It’s surprising how misunderstood fats are. Well, let me help you. Fats are both healthy and unhealthy, and good for us, Coconut Oil is a healthy fat. A recent study from the Boston University Medical School published in Obesity Research Journal showed that caprylic acid from coconut oil breaks down fat and helps curb appetite too!

2. Improved antioxidant levels help slow aging: Coconut Oil reduces stress on the liver. It helps support a natural detoxification process by the liver. To see results - take 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with any berry of choice for breakfast! You make even apply it to your skin for additional soothing.

3. Improves Memory: Our brain needs healthy fats for survival just the way a plant needs adequate sunlight. Research shows that Medium Chain Fatty Acids found in Coconut Oil help improve memory troubles in adults.

4. Reduce Inflammation and Arthritis

5. Helps Fight Cancer: There are 2 reasons this works - Cancer cells are unable to access the energy present in ketones produced by coconut oil. The medium-chain fatty acids in Coconut Oil digest unhealthy bacterial walls which later can cause cancer!

6. Improves Skin A natural and holy grail product, coconut oil can be used as a cleanser, moisturizer, as well as a sunscreen. Its antimicrobial properties help heal scars and inflammation externally.

7. Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure: Coconut Oil helps increase healthy cholesterol in the body.

8. Balances hormones: It is great to consume during menopause and regulate estrogen levels in the body

9. Gives your immune system a boost: Coconut Oil contains Lauric acid. Most diseases are caused due to the overgrowth of bad bacteria and lauric acid helps eliminate it and prevent further growth.

10. Improves GUT Health: Coconut oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties and helps improve Intestinal motility hence helping in relieving constipation.

But I only serve you facts and facts are accurate. Coconut oil is saturated fat. Saturated fats have been defamed over many years but they remain excellent sources for cooking for they do NOT change composition when exposed to heat. This makes coconut oil extremely stable and safe. It can still raise cholesterol by a little margin, and like anything else, it’s probably best avoided in super LARGE quantities.

Coconut oil tastes fantastic and makes your hair and skin look first-class too! With nutty undertones of mild, sweet vanilla, it can be savored with scrambled eggs or dark leafy greens in a salad as well!

Tips To Use and Buy Coconut Oil:

• To ensure you buy the right kind of oil, check the label. It should read Cold Pressed. It means that the oil has not been bleached or deodourised during processing.

• Good coconut oil is a worthwhile investment for your household. It lasts a long time and reaps benefits year-round

• Store in a cool dry place that lasts up to 5 years without going bad!

• The best way to keep gum health and eventually gut health in awesome shape is to gargle with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil every morning for 2 minutes. Spit it out and then brush your teeth. Coconut oil is extremely healthy for the oral microbiome which helps with a good gut microbiome!

• Perfect vegan substitute for butter and lard, coconut oil produces beautiful crusts and moist airy loaves of bread and cakes and cookies too!

• A dollop in your curry, a scoop in your shakes, the perfect base for popcorn, and the list goes on

There are innumerable ways you can use coconut oil in your life and I highly encourage you to give it a try. My strong recommendation that you should take 1 tablespoon of good coconut oil before sleeping. In case you do not like the taste of coconut oil then you can add it to hot water or chamomile tea and drink it. In Mornings you can enjoy coconut oil in your black coffee and stay more alert and energetic.

If you’re already using it, tell us in the comments below what kind of dishes you like to make with it, and how do you use it in your daily life.?

Are you eager to read my next post on Desi Ghee and its benefits? Will come back soon