The Seven Wonders of Coconut Oil

Straight from the serene sway of a palm tree, here are seven ways to incorporate coconut oil into your everyday life to help you lose weight and increase your health, just in time for summer

We have all grown accustomed to the surge of articles and tips for healthy eating and overall health rejuvenation right after the holiday season.

Gyms in January are swarmed with eager resolutions, ready to hit the ground running after months of winter binges and holiday dinner get-togethers

Then, in May and April, the articles, tips, and gym goers seem to pick up again, as if the reality of summer “right around the corner” has slapped us all in the face.

However, this is not a bad thing; every once and a while in the hustle and bustle of life, a good reminder is in store.

Research is constantly being done, recipes always being created, ideas and tips being traded. One theme that has increasingly grown in popularity is the use of coconut oil.

It has popped up everywhere, from sunscreen and body lotion to cooking oils and even milk.

These seven benefits of coconut oil will break down exactly how it works with your body and weight loss goals.

And yes, the best part is, it can help accelerate your metabolism and boost those feel-good hormones just in time for the warm weather.

An ally and friend to your health, coconut oil:

#1: Adds some healthy fatty acids to your diet

While many of us are familiar with the idea of “healthy” fats, the science behind the label can often leave people lost in translation.

According to Mayo Clinic, coconut oil contains a significant amount of medium-chained fatty acids, which are far more preferred than long-chained fatty acids because they aren’t as readily stored in adipose tissue.

Furthermore, these medium-chained fatty acids don’t raise serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as much as long-chained fatty acids do.

This “healthy” fat chain has shown to decrease inches, particularly in the waistline.

However, the consumption of coconut oil must be approached in moderation. Coconut oil still contains high calories and saturated fat, so it must be paired with an overall balanced eating and exercise plan.

#2: Coconut Oil Aids in your metabolism

Peter Jones, Ph.D., professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada explains the process of the breakdown of coconut oil:

Because these medium-chained fatty acids (scientifically referred to as medium-chained triglycerides, or MCT are more water-soluble than those found in other oils, they have a direct line to the liver; therefore, they are readily available to burn as fuel.

This leads to a lesser likelihood that it will be deposited in fat stores.

One recent study showed a seven pound weight loss for participants consuming MCT-oil versus a three pound weight loss for participants consuming olive oil.

Making room for a small amount of coconut oil can boost your metabolism, but keep in mind the amount of calories needed for this swap.

A tablespoon of coconut oil contains 120 calories, but combined with exercise and other healthy foods, this swap may be worth the burn.

#3: Manages food cravings

While the idea of needing to “swap” calories for calories may not seem appealing, its pay-off makes perfect sense when it helps to curb your appetite.

Because of the wonders of the MCT in coconut oil, your body will thank this swap if it means less snacking in-between meals.

Not only does the oil leave you feeling full longer, but if you consume coconut oil 20 minutes before you eat–such as drinking a glass of coconut milk–you are less likely to eat as much as you would’ve otherwise.

Double this up with a full glass of water before a meal as well, and you’ll feel a significant difference in your eating habits that doesn’t involve pills or shakes.

#4: Absorbs the “right stuff” during digestion

The market is full of multi-vitamin gummies and pills to ensure you get an adequate amount of vitamins needed for daily functioning.

Yet consuming even just one to two tablespoons of coconut oil a day may do you one better.

According to natural living ideas , coconut oil helps your digestive tract absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K, and this absorption leads to better overall mood, healthier skin, more energy and a mellow appetite.

Days with less stress and more energy are the perfect recipe for weight loss that is maintained overtime.

#5: Helps that pesky thyroid

We are hearing a lot about saturated fats, but what about unsaturated fats? An article explains that changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats can damage the thyroid.

They can also block the thyroid’s regular operations in body tissue and the circulatory system, causing “hypothyroidism” which can be responsible for weight gain, hair loss, depression and anxiety, insomnia and many other health problems.

Hypothyroidism, when left undetected and unaddressed, will leave anyone feeling stagnate in their efforts to lose weight.

Thanks to the saturated fat found in coconut oil, adding it to your diet will bring relief to your thyroid and help it run properly.

Whether or not you have hypothyroidism, the benefits of coconut oil outweigh the unsaturated oils in vegetables.

There is far more room for results when combining coconut oil with healthy eating, particularly in relation with your thyroid.

#6: Tackles the “hard to lose” abdominal fat

As mentioned before, studies have linked the use of coconut oil to shedding inches around your waistline. Several studies have been conducted that show minimal amount of weight loss when studying the incorporation of coconut oil alone into one’s diet.

But don’t let that discourage you; nearly just as many studies have shown participants shed fat around their abdominal area, the crucial core to our health that can lead us to or from diabetes, heart disease, and digestive problems.

All studies out to comparisons of participants consuming coconut oil and participants consuming soybean oil.

Those on the coconut oil side lost inches in their waistline (while those on the soybean side saw an increase in belly fat) and increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels (while the soybean group decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL cholesterol).

#7: Awakens your energy

Combining coconut oil’s effect on metabolism, digestion, and the many other areas above, it is no wonder that people who began consuming coconut oil on a daily basis saw a significant increase in energy.

Perhaps there is nothing linked to weight loss better than energy, as the more energy you have, the more motivation you have to exercise and accomplish more every day.

This simple oil can awaken your body’s systems, and with everything running properly, the uphill climb to weight loss becomes less steep and much, much easier.

These seven wonders of coconut oil remind us that our focus on weight loss comes from within; the processes and breakdowns that illuminate to our exterior.

If you want weight loss that becomes maintainable and long-term, understanding the benefits of coconut oil and how to properly use it will revolutionize your approach to a full lifestyle transformation.

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