If I were to try and go back through all of my blog posts and count how many times I’ve mentioned “coconut oil,” I feel certain that number would easily reach triple digits! (But for the sake of my sanity and productivity, I’ve decided against actually going back and counting them all.) I use coconut oil all the time for so many different applications, and I’ve shared a lot of them here over the years!
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Just a couple of years ago, you couldn’t get online without being immediately inundated with articles about coconut oil. While it isn’t currently as trendy as it was back then, that doesn’t mean it has become any less useful! I think it’s high time we revisit the subject, to freshen up our memories of just how beneficial coconut oil can be! :-)
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How To Use Coconut Oil
The first three benefits are based on internal use, meaning you need to ingest coconut oil in order to experience those benefits. (But you don’t have to eat it plain—you can use it for cooking or put some in a smoothie!) The last four benefits come from external use, which usually means applying it to your skin, hair, teeth, etc. So now that we’re all clear on how to use it, let’s get to the good part! :-)
7 Impressive Benefits Of Coconut Oil
1. Weight Loss
Research suggests that coconut oil may be able to aid in weight loss! Coconut oil is packed with medium-chain saturated fats, which are more likely to be burned as energy than other types of fats. They also require more energy to burn, which may lead to a boost in your metabolism that helps burn more fat.
2. Heart Health
Coconut oil increases HDL cholesterol (also known as “good” cholesterol). This type of cholesterol can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
3. Immunity
Coconut oil has antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help your body fight off germs and bacteria.
4. Hair Care
Coconut oil makes a great moisturizer for your hair! It can help protect your tresses and keep them soft, shiny, and beautiful. Learn how to make a naturally nourishing coconut oil hair treatment at the link below!
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Related: Pamper Your Hair With This Luxurious Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
5. Skin Care
In addition to its antimicrobial qualities, coconut oil also has an anti-inflammatory effect. This effect can be helpful for treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and more. Just slather it onto your skin liberally! (You can always cover the skin up afterwards with clothing to avoid transferring the oil onto other surfaces.)
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6. Yeast Infections
A 2007 study found that coconut oil can quash the growth of Candida, a fungus that causes common infections like yeast infection, thrush, and diaper rash. On top of that, the anti-inflammatory effect of coconut oil can provide a soothing effect for the burning and itching feeling that these infections commonly produce.
Check out the link below for lots of useful information about using coconut oil to treat yeast infections!
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7. Bones & Teeth
People have been using coconut oil for the traditional Indian practice of “oil pulling” for thousands of years. And relatively recent research suggests that the benefits of oil pulling are real—at least when it comes to plaque formation. A 2017 study found that plaque scores dropped significantly after only 7 days of the participants swishing with coconut oil. (Find out more about oil pulling at the link below.)
Related: Oil Pulling For A Healthier Mouth
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There is also limited evidence to suggest that coconut oil can improve bone density. A 2012 study showed that rats who were fed coconut oil had greater bone density than their counterparts after six weeks. The effect needs further study to understand if it applies to humans, but it’s a promising finding nonetheless!
What is your favorite use for coconut oil?
I use it for cooking all the time, but it also works super well as a skin moisturizer for super dry hands. Love this stuff!
I am a big fan of coconut oil. I use it to cook with and enjoy it in coffee. I’ve been using it for over ten years: eating it and using it all over my skin after every bath or shower. It is completely unnecessary now to use any other moisturizer as coconut oil is all I use. Over the last few months I’ve found a new use for coconut oil. My teeth and ears were really hurting. I think I had a sinus infection. It’s just too expensive to go to the doctor now, even with my health insurance… Read more »
Thank you
Jilee : Another wonderful year is going to end. But don’t worry, one more year is on the way to decorate your life with unlimited colors of joy!
I read this article yesterday and love coconut oil. On the other hand, I read this article today: https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/health/2018/12/14/coconut-oil-still-isnt-healthy-year-after-aha-report/2311397002/ “Coconut oil is still not healthy, dietitians say” “Over a year since research out of the American Heart Association said coconut oil isn’t healthy, dietitians are still telling people to avoid eating much of it. “Coconut oil is more than 80 percent saturated fat — far beyond butter (63 percent), beef fat (50 percent) and pork lard (39 percent), according to the American Heart Association. It has “no known offsetting favorable effects,” the AHA said in a past advisory stating coconut… Read more »
Bullcrap! Nothing wrong with coconut oil and Jillee knows what she is talking about!
Coconut oil should not be invested. It is a tans fat. Very bad for the heart and arteries.
I had tooth sensitivity to cold water one day. It really hurt. I looked on YouTube and saw you can swish with coconut oil. I was afraid I’d lose a tooth so I tried it for a week and it felt better. The pain and sensitivity went away also my breath smelt fresh. I went to the dentist a month later and the doctor didn’t see anything wrong. I try to do it once a week now.
I started using coconut oil 3 years ago to hopefully lose weight, 3 tablespoons a day. My Hdl went up, my back pain started getting better and I haven’t had a problem at all with my back since I started using it. My blood pressure went way down, so my doctor took me off my morning pills but I still take my night pills. My memory improved, I tell everyone to use coconut oil, I’m afraid not to take it!
It made my cholesterol and triglycerides go way up! Didn’t help me lose weight either. I won’t eat it.
Coconut oil does make you bad cholesterol ldl go up. Originally it was thought not to but Drs now tell you to stay away from eating it. Have high cholesterol so I never eat it anymore. It does have all the other wonderful uses. This is a new revelation.
Coconut oil is a saturated fat. For internal use, it is healthier to use monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. Those actually do help lower cholesterol. I still use coconut oil as a moisturizer and hair product so I’m hoping that it has no unhealthy effect if absorbed. I prefer to use natural products over anything with chemicals in it.
That is exactly what happened to me after using coconut oil in my coffee, smoothies, and eating a teaspoon a few times a week. Went to the Dr. , and my bad cholesterol was real high! I won’t eat it no more either.
Hi Jilee, Very happy to learn of the Coconut Oil UTI supositories. Will try them! Sharing with you about the others I have tried, per my doctor: Plain natural yogurt (sugar free), mix a tablespoon or so with 4 or 5 capsules of Pro Biotics, 10/20s. Empty the powder into the yogurt. Apply with a tampon. Or make up several and freeze. Colder is more relief. Use at bedtime, wear a pad for it to drain out. Remove tampon in the morning. Twice a week for maintenance. There you have it! I’m going to make the yogurt ones in the… Read more »