Recently, coconut oil has been taking the health and beauty world by storm. People have started to appreciate the health and beauty benefits of coconut oil and we are constantly finding new benefits and uses for it.
Haircare
If you have damaged hair or just want your hair to look better, then coconut oil is an excellent product to use. It can not only make your hair look healthier and shinier, it can also help it grow.
It is natural so you don’t need to worry about overdoing it with chemicals (which can actually make your hair drier. That’s why coconut oil is included in many hair care products.
Coconut oil can also help you reduce protein loss, which plays a big factor in hair looking brittle and dull.
Skincare
As well as being great for hair care, coconut oil is also good for skin care. It has moisturising properties in it that are great for any skin types, including dry skin. A benefit of coconut oil compared to mineral oil is that you won’t face any adverse effects on your skin.
It can also help treat many skin conditions such as;
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Other skin infections
For this reason, coconut oil is used in a lot of different skincare products and has also been known to reduce ageing due to its antioxidant properties.
Improves Immunity
Coconut oil can help improve your immune system. That’s because it contains immune strengthening agents such as;
- Antimicrobial lipids
- Lauric acid
- Capric acid
- Caprylic acid
These all have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Boosts Digestion
As well as improving immunity, coconut oil can also boost your digestive system and can even help prevent some digestion related problems such as;
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Preventing various bacteria and fungi and parasites that can cause indigestion.
As well as that, it can also help your body absorb more nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Dental Care
People have been using oil pulling techniques to clean their teeth for numerous years, and coconut oil is a chosen favourite to do so. Calcium is important for our teeth and coconut oil helps our body absorb more calcium, which in turn helps us develop stronger teeth and stop tooth decay. Research has also suggested that it is beneficial in reducing plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis.
Overall Health
There are many other health benefits when it comes to coconut oil, including but not limited to;
- Prevents candida (systemic candidiasis)
- Speeds up healing
- Keeps organs healthy
- Helps in AIDs and cancer treatment
- Boosts heart health
- Stress relief
- Diabetes
- Bones
- Boosts energy
- May be useful for treating Alzheimer’s (further research required)
As you can see there are many health benefits of using coconut oil, and these are just the benefits we know about! As technology advances and more research is conducted, we may find more uses for it in the future.