‘You only have one body to live and you better take good care of it.’ Check these amazing health benefits of virgin coconut oil to take the best care of your body.
The movement of Body positivity has taken the world by storm. The health campaigns have whistled the beginning of a change. But we still have a long way to walk.
Only a few have understood the meaning of body positivity or healthy living. Body positivity does not mean being obese is healthy. It just says ‘Healthy living is not about the six-packs or zero figure’.
It’s not about bizarre diets or beasty workouts. Body positivity promotes acceptance while you work towards a better self. Not for the society or anyone else, but for your health!
That’s body positivity!
Healthy living is all about the simple choices we make in our everyday routine. It’s about picking fruit instead of a cookie. Taking the stairs instead of the lift. Choosing to sleep instead of scrolling down the gadgets.
One such choice that baffles all is the type of oil that’s best for you. The choice of the right oil is very important as it plays the role of a carrier of your food. You eat it every day, probably three or more times a day.
As such picking, an oil that’s unhealthy can dig a hole in your health silently over the years. From obesity to cholesterol to heart problems, oil can be the culprit. Hence, you must carry out a thorough investigation of the oil you would walk home with!
One good choice of oil that an Ayurvedic doctor can vouch for is virgin coconut oil. In this blog, I bring you all the details about this NEW health trend of virgin coconut oil! Read on.
Also Read: Health Benefits of Coconut Oil Pulling
What does virgin coconut oil mean?
In simplest words, Virgin coconut oil means the coconut oil is not processed. It is produced by cold-pressing the liquid from coconut meat and extracting oil from the milk. It is a 100% natural oil, unrefined, unbleached oil, extracted from fresh coconut milk.
Virgin coconut oil is particularly popular for its pleasant aroma, taste, antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and vitamin content!
Health buffs are hailing the virgin coconut oil for its unique combination of fatty acids. In most oils, fatty acids are about 90% saturated. This means 1 teaspoon of oil contains 120 calories. But virgin coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fat lauric acid. It takes about 40% of the total fat content.
If you don’t already know then lauric acid boosts the good cholesterol levels in your body. And that makes virgin coconut oil a good supplement for your heart!
But that’s not the only thing about this amazing oil.
Virgin coconut oil is considered one of the healthiest cooking oils for its numerous benefits.
It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids which are easy to break and digest. Plus, it is super-rich in antioxidants, which help your body in fighting harmful free radicals. Adding Virgin coconut oil to your daily diet improves metabolism, immunity, and energy.
Also Read: 13 best and worst cooking oils
How do they make it?
Good things come from hard work!
Take Freshly grated coconut meat and dry it at about 40 degrees Celsius for about two hours. The low temperature ensures the coconut flavor or amora does not evaporate. Next, extract the virgin coconut oil with a single press. Because of the single press extraction, the production per kilo of coconut is very low.
It has zero chance of fermentation or rancidity. The entire process takes only a couple of hours to complete. And that’s the reason for the high price tag that hangs by the bottle.
Cheaper brands use wet processing or centrifugal processing. This also produces good quality, clear, virgin coconut oil. In the extraction, it uses coconut milk, which is why the moisture content is higher. Because of this, the oil tends to turn fermented.
Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil has a unique flavor and aroma. But more than that it has a host of health benefits. It’s a unique composition of essential fatty acids and antioxidants make it one of the best choices.
Check out these 7 health benefits of virgin coconut oil:
1. Let your body relish some healthy fatty acid
It is high in saturated fats and lauric acid. Lauric acid supports healthy cholesterol in the body. Studies say Virgin coconut oil can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It further encourages fat burn and provides quick energy to the body and brain.
It further fosters the ability of the body to absorb vitamins and minerals, including calcium and magnesium. Thus, it helps in strengthening the bones, especially in women who are prone to osteoporosis.
Also Read: How anger affects your heart’s health?
2. Lose weight without losing your mind
Most oils contain saturated fats that result in weight gain. Virgin coconut oil has only medium-chain fatty acids that can be easily processed by the body. This oil is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
Further, Virgin coconut oil is more filling thus it curbs your hunger pangs. It also boosts your metabolism which means you would have the energy to exercise. Hence, it is better than any other oil for weight loss!
Also Read: Sprouts for Weight Loss
3. Let your crown shine in black
Virgin coconut oil contains Vitamin E which is an essential nutrient for your hair. It nourishes and strengthens your hair. The anti-fungal properties fight off dandruff and boost the health of your scalp.
How to use – Just apply the oil on your hair and massage it into the scalp. Let it sit for at least 2 hours. You can also keep it overnight. Wash off the next day and see your crown shine with luster.
Also Read: How to cure hair fall in just 7 days
4. The secret of healthy glowing skin
Virgin coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for your skin. It works great in soothing dry, rough, and scaly skin. Packed with antioxidants and fatty acids, it helps in replenishing and repairing skin cells. A natural antiaging agent, it slows down the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.
How to use – Just take a few drops of the oil and apply it over your face. Circle your eyes and rub your neck. You can also use this oil for makeup removal and daily cleansing of your skin. It is also a famous oil in aromatherapy for easing and relaxing stress. Gentle massage with this oil eases mental stress and fatigue.
Also Read: 5 Self-care tips for dry skin
5. Tickle your baby with a gentle touch
Virgin coconut oil is also a perfect choice for baby massage. It has anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. This makes it a potent nappy rash lotion. It also prevents your baby’s tender skin from irritation and itching from rashes.
It also nourishes your baby’s scalp. Massaging the oil improves blood circulation, boosts immunity, and strengthens tender muscles. Regular use makes their hair grow faster and thicker.
Also Read: Best Indian Baby foods
6. It’s good for your brain too
Several studies link the use of virgin coconut oil to a reduction in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Though it is not proven to be a miracle cure for dementia, it sure has a shielding effect.
The brain’s primary source of food is glucose. When sugar is unavailable, it uses ketones as a fuel. Virgin Coconut oil makes these ketones available to the brain. It also fights off toxic proteins accumulating in the brain.
7. Care for digestion from teeth to colon!
Oil pulling in the morning routine is a natural guard for your oral health. It is proven to prevent several dental problems from plaque to halitosis. It can also prevent the formation of gingivitis. You can use virgin coconut oil for oil pulling because of its amazing antimicrobial properties.
The strong antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties also kill the bad bacteria in your gut. This eases the assimilation, digestion, absorption, and elimination.
Here is a useful guide on using coconut oil for hair loss. Do give it a read!
Ways to take Virgin Coconut Oil
If you are taking virgin coconut oil for the first time, start with one tablespoon of coconut oil. And work your way to two tablespoons per day. There are different ways to add virgin coconut oil to your diet. The easiest bites are:
- Sprinkle it on your salads and fruits.
- Pour some oil on your smoothies for a richer taste.
- Use it to saute boiled vegetables.
Make your virgin coconut oil at home!
If the price tag in the bottle of virgin coconut oil is keeping you away from its benefits, then you can just make it yourself. Spare some time and save your bucks!
Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing your virgin coconut oil
- Take 2-3 brown coconuts. Don’t take the green ones for maximum oil content.
- Split the coconut and pour the coconut water into a bowl.
- Grind the coconut flesh using a round grater.
- Add the coconut water to the flesh and let it marinate for an hour.
- After an hour pour it into a blender and make a paste.
- Strain the paste with a thin cloth and get rid of the residue solids.
- Pour the coconut milk into a saucepan and simmer on medium heat.
- It will granulate and the oil will separate from the solids.
- Do this for an hour and stir frequently.
- The oil will be visibly separated and it will rise to the top.
- Remove the oil carefully using a clean spoon.
- Pour the oil into a glass jar and let it cool.
- Once it’s cool cover the lid and put it in the refrigerator overnight. This will solidify the oil and detach any residual water or milk solids.
- Scoop out the pure coconut oil and use it every day.
An Ayurvedic Doctor’s Take!
There are no two sayings about the health benefits of virgin coconut oil. If you can afford it or make it yourself then it is sure to give you some amazing benefits. But, healthy living is not only about switching your oil or moving to organic foods.
Right from the atmosphere in which food is prepared, to the way it’s prepared and eaten, everything matters! So, even if this healthy oil does not fit your grocery list, there are other ways to obtain the nutrients and cut down on the health risks of other oils.
The only thing that matters is being conscious about your choices and following a clean eating regime every single day. Otherwise, there is no meaning if you eat the best oil for 3 days and then go for restaurant foods for the next four!
The key to healthy living is balance!
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