Loco for Coco
I am completely obsessed with coconut. Everything from coconut oil and coconut milk to shredded coconut and coconut wraps. My latest fascination involves scraping coconut meat out from the inside of a young thai coconut- hard work but well worth it! While I love the taste of everything coconut, I love the health benefits even more. Life is good when you find something that is delicious and also happens to be healthy.
Coconut oil is perhaps the most touted version of this super-fruit, but other forms also possess the benefits I'm about to discuss- the oil is just the most concentrated and therefore nutrient dense form. The difference between the oil and the flesh of the coconut is that you are getting some protein and fiber when consuming it in the whole food form.
Coconut oil is comprised almost entirely of saturated fat, which is a wonderful source of fuel and also easily absorbed- making it a gut-friendly fat. This fat does not need bile acids for digestion, which takes the strain off of the pancreas and therefore gives the body a consistent energy source. This can be beneficial for those struggling with Type II diabetes as this helps to prevents insulin resistance. Saturated fats also increase the healthy cholesterol, HDL, and help to convert the 'bad', LDL, cholesterol into good cholesterol. By increasing the HDL's in the body, you are lowering your risk for heart disease.
Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) which is a fat known for fueling brain cells extremely efficiently. A 2012 article by Galvin on Neurodegenerative Disease Management reveals that MCT's have been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. The available literature reviewed in this article suggests that MCT's may significantly improve memory in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. This is promising and extremely encouraging for the use of coconut oil as a preventative tool for neurological decline.
Coconut oil is also rich in lauric, caprylic, and capric acids. These are fatty acids found in mother's milk and have been proven to be anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. One of the most popular anti-fungal uses for coconut oil is to combat Candida (yeast overgrowth). The fatty acids in coconut oil help to eradicate Candida by attacking its cell walls, thus killing off the yeast. Incorporating 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into your daily diet is a sufficient amount to help combat Candida. As an anti-viral, coconut oil has also been found to prevent and fight off: herpes, influenza, h. pylori (a common stomach infection), listeria, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.
Coconut oil is excellent for anti-aging as it improves antioxidant levels and reduces stress on the liver by lowering oxidative stress. It can also be applied topically just as you would use a facial or body moisturizer.
I prefer to use virgin coconut oil and have really been loving the Nutiva brand! Getting your daily dose of coconut oil can be done easily by adding it to coffee or matcha tea. You can make a 'bullet proof' coffee by adding 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to your hot brewed coffee or espresso, then blending it on high-speed (I use my Vitamix) until it's frothy. This makes it taste creamy without needing to add dairy. You can also boost this beverage with healthy collagen protein by adding to 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides before you blend- making this a powerhouse beverage to start your day off right!