Pure coconut oil has been touted as one of the most effective oils by our mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and many more generations before us. Lately, it has been even more popularized due to its exceptional cosmetic benefits. With health and wellness becoming increasingly valuable, coconut oil has come forward as a magical elixir for those who want to improve their health in the most natural means. Pure coconut oil is power-packed with a plethora of nutritional benefits.
Coconut oil is primarily a blend of two fatty acids – Lauric and Myristic Acids, which are responsible for most of the benefits that the oil entails. (44% of Lauric and 16.8% of Myristic Acid) Aside from this, coconut oil contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) which is rich in anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it highly beneficial to the health.
Nutriplus Virgin Coconut Oil is one of the most nutrient-dense oils on the market. It is made from fresh coconuts from Kerela and possesses several advantages. It is created by extracting oil from fresh coconut milk using mechanical cold-extraction method. Such an extraction method does not make any use of heat and does not alter the makeup of the oil. It is also not subjected to any chemical bleaching, deodorizing, or refining treatments, thereby retaining its wholesome nutritional composition. As a result, the Nutriplus pure Virgin Coconut Oil is colorless and sediment free, with a light coconut scent and flavor. Being a powerhouse of nutrients, coconut oil offers health from head to toe.
Let’s look at how pure coconut oil is the one-stop solution for you to achieve optimal health in every way.
Pure Coconut Oil and its Health Benefits for the Whole Body
There is a growing body of research that has established coconut oil as a dynamic superfood which offers nutritional benefits to the body, from your head to your toes. If you haven’t already started using pure coconut oil yet, you will once you learn about all the benefits the humble oil offers.
Hair Health
To start from the top, and we mean literally, coconut oil is considered to be a natural solution for hair and scalp health. It can help improve the health and condition of your hair in many ways. The chemical structure of coconut oil is responsible for its superior ability to improve and protect the hair. As coconut oil is predominantly made up of MCTs, it gives the oil a long, straight structure which facilitates its absorption into the hair shaft. Hair has a large amount of protein, which due to dyes, bleach, shampoos, heating and styling products can leave it looking dull and fragile.
Coconut oil is the only oil that is capable of reducing protein loss in the hair since it is imbued with proteins which are very similar to the natural hair protein. By penetrating deep into the hair shaft, coconut oil prevents hair breakage, removes buildup around the hair follicles and promotes hair growth. It also helps in reducing and managing dry, itchy scalp which caters to dandruff. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria which caters to the reduction of scalp flaking. Coconut oil is the perfect moisturizing agent which provides deep hydration and conditioning to dry, brittle hair.
Brain Health
The versatile oil derived from the “tree of life” also has phenomenal benefits for the brain. The MCT’s present in coconut oil, when ingested, are quickly metabolized into energy as special molecules called Ketones. Ketones can be used by the brain cells as fuel, which can help improve its function and performance. Ketones from the MCTs are touted as an alternative energy source for the malfunctioning brain cells. Due to this, coconut oil is known as the potential cognitive strengthener as it has also been shown to help several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers, Dementia and Epilepsy.
Many clinical studies have suggested that when people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s consume a MCTs rich diet, it can help improve memory, attention and cognition. Ketones are also shown to protect brain neurons from the negative effects of beta-amyloid peptide which accumulates in the brain of early Alzheimer’s patients. Thus, coconut oil can be a beneficial solution for treating mood and neurological disorder, brain aging and serious cognitive decline.
Skin Health
Pure, virgin coconut oil is touted for its great beautifying properties for dry skin. Due to the high content of MCTs such as lauric acid which in packed with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, coconut oil can help kill skin-infection causing bacteria, including acne, cellulitis, folliculitis and athlete’s foot. Coconut oil can also help relieve skin inflammation by improving antioxidant status and decreasing oxidative stress.
Moreover, coconut oil also contains linoleic acid which is known to deeply hydrate the skin. Those who suffer with dry, sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis, coconut oil’s emollient properties can help support and repair the skin’s barrier function and protect it from the environmental pathogens. It also has the potential to accelerate wound healing and prevent free radicals from UV rays and pollution. Additionally, coconut oil has the ability to act as protective layer that sits on top of the skin and locks in moisture, while also preventing trans-epidermal water loss.
Oral Health
An underrated, yet ancient benefit of coconut oil is greatly improving oral health. In Ayurvedic medicine, coconut oil has been used to promote dental health through a process known as “oil pulling,” which helps in get rid of mouth bacteria which causes tooth decay and bad breath. The antimicrobial properties present in the oil help remove the odor-causing bacteria and reduce the build-up of food debris on the teeth, inner cheeks, and tongue, thereby keeping the mouth squeaky clean. Oil pulling is the act of swishing the oil around the mouth, thereby cleansing the mouth of bacteria and for helping heal from ravages of periodontal diseases.
Being permeated with MCT’s, the coconut oil denatures and lifts the bacteria from the surfaces and crevices within the mouth, which greatly reduces the risk of gum disease and plaque formation. According to study, oil pulling is said to reduce plaque-causing bacteria. If you want to preserve your oral health, experts recommend oil pulling with pure coconut oil 3 times a week for 20 minutes.
Digestive Health
Coconut oil can contribute to a healthy digestive system. It facilitates the body’s absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, calcium and magnesium. The MCTs in coconut oil enable other nutrients to get absorbed very smoothly. It clears the duodenum off toxins, which is an outcome of excessive free radicals in the human body. Pure coconut oil clears the free radicals from the body, which aids in reducing acidity and eliminates gastric problems such as bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease.
Coconut oil also helps in improving the gut environment. A poor diet, stress or certain diseases can increase the level of bacteria, fungi and parasites in the digestive tract. The MCTs and laurides in coconut oil eliminate these problems and restore balance to the gut micro biome. Consuming pure coconut oil helps in increasing certain bacteria which keep the gut bacteria in proper shape. Additionally, adding coconut oil to your diet can help reduce body fat, gut-related weight gain and other digestive health problems. The MCTs boost the body’s metabolism, satiety and help prevent fat accumulation in the body.
Immune Health
With the precarious changes in the environment, having a healthy and good immune system is the need of the hour. A weak immunity is the number one cause of many ailments, and coconut oil can be the one thing you need to bring your immunity to its optimal state. Coconut oil contains an antiviral agent called Monolaurin, which helps in fighting against different types of pathogens and viruses. It reduces candida and establishes a hostile environment for the viruses. Furthermore, coconut oil also helps to boost an already weakened immune system by improving the white blood count, which allows the body to directly fight viruses. The antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties contribute towards making your immune system healthier and stronger, and keep the body protected against atmospheric impurities.
Energy Booster
The MCTs present in coconut oil provide a quick supply of energy to the body, improve stamina and endurance. They work as the body’s natural energy booster. When consumed, the MCTs aren’t broken down in the small intestine but rather, are transferred straight to the liver from the digestive tract and transform into carbohydrates, thereby giving an extensive and instant supply of energy to the body. MCTs provide a much more rapid energy source that your body can absorb and use faster than other types of saturated fat. For this reason, MCTs have been widely used in formulating sports and nutrition diets, which is readily and wholly available in coconut oil.
