Benefits of Coconut Oil for Health and Beauty

 TEHNOLOGI69 - The benefits of coconut oil are quite diverse, both for cooking and personal care. The medical benefits of coconut oil are still being studied. Although claims about the benefits of coconut oil have not been 100 percent proven to date, its use is increasingly popular in the community.

According to several studies, coconut oil is thought to be beneficial for health and beauty. Here are some possible benefits that can be obtained from coconut oil.

Coconut Oil for Health

Good coconut oil is virgin coconut oil (VCO), not refined oil. VCO is extracted from fresh coconut without using additional chemicals and without high temperature. This is so that its natural contents, such as phenolic compounds, are not damaged. Therefore, virgin coconut oil has the potential as an antioxidant.

Besides, the compounds in coconut oil such as lauric, caprylic and capric acid can support the growth of probiotics in the digestive tract and function against bad bacteria. Here are some possible health benefits of coconut oil.

• For diet

You can use VCO as oil when cooking or blending. The content in VCO is believed to help stimulate metabolism. One of the effects that coconut oil can have is that it keeps you full longer so that the urge to overeat or snack is reduced.

Besides, coconut oil consists of medium-chain fatty acids that easily enter the liver cells. This advantage makes coconut oil into fat which the body burns quickly into energy. Medium-chain fatty acids are not easily converted into fat reserves, thus promoting weight loss. Although it is claimed to be good for those who want to lose weight, so far data on the effectiveness of coconut oil for diet is still limited, so further research is still needed.

If you want to lose weight, you can't just rely on VCO. You still need to exercise and have a healthy and balanced diet. VCO can be said as a small part of a good diet. Maximum consumption of one tablespoon a day.

• Antioxidants are good for the heart because they contain polyphenols

The heart health benefits of coconut oil are thought to be due to its polyphenol content. This is because polyphenols prevent atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the walls of blood vessels due to the buildup of fatty plaque on the walls of blood vessels. This means that the risk of heart disease is also reduced. If your health condition is normal, maybe coconut oil can be included in your diet. If you have heart disease, it is advisable to consult with your doctor first about consuming coconut oil.

• To reduce bad fats

One of the properties of coconut oil that is claimed to be good for health is to reduce total cholesterol, bad fats (LDL), and triglycerides, and increase good fats (HDL). This effect is predicted to maintain a healthy 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 effect on reducing total cholesterol and bad fats in the blood. Therefore, the benefits of coconut oil still need further research.

• For diabetes

The fatty acid chains in coconut oil are thought to increase glucose tolerance in the body. In the case of type 2 diabetes, coconut oil is also believed to increase insulin sensitivity. However, more extensive research is still needed to prove it.

Coconut Oil for Beauty

Coconut oil is thought to be beneficial for beauty, including for:

• Treat acne

Acne treatment does not have to always use chemical-based drugs, but it can also be VCO. The lauric acid content in coconut oil is thought to be effective in reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria. Therefore, the lauric acid in coconut oil can be an alternative to antibiotics for acne-prone skin. Of course, don't forget to always keep your skin clean and pay attention to food intake.

• Moisturizer

Apart from treating acne, the lauric acid in coconut oil also acts as a skin moisturizer. Not only for healthy skin, but coconut oil can also be used in eczema and psoriasis skin diseases. Its antibacterial effect is thought to be very useful in fighting the spread of staphylococcal bacteria in this disease. Coconut oil is also good for treating hair problems, such as dandruff, and for thickening lashes.

Coconut oil can be made at home or purchased in the market. You can use coconut oil to keep the skin moist. However, if you want to use coconut oil to maintain health, it is advisable to limit the amount because its efficacy and safety still need to be studied. Moreover, if you have certain medical conditions. You can consult a doctor before using coconut oil if you have health problems.