How To Eat Coconut Oil Daily For Health Benefits
Coconut oil is all over the place. People are using it back and forth and it’s very well known due to its health benefits. But, what exactly is coconut oil? Well, it is the oil that is extracted from the edible coconut meat, meaning the white part right within the shell of the coconut.
How many types of coconut oil are there?
There are two types of coconut oil you should know about. Refined and unrefined, also known as virgin, coconut oil. Refined oils are cheaper in price and have no aroma or flavor of the coconut. They are made from the dried copra and not fresh coconuts. The unrefined or virgin type, on the other hand, is more preferable due to the fact that it’s naturally processed and is made from fresh coconuts, meaning its beneficial value is larger.
What’s the brief history of coconut oil?
Back in the 50s, coconut oil was used excessively. It could be bought in supermarkets, just like today, and it was usually used for cooking. However, medical reports, then, started claiming that saturated fats, like coconut oil, caused high triglyceride levels. Further on to conclude that coconut oils could, in fact, raise the cholesterol levels – but this only stood for hydrogenated coconut oils. However, this led people to start using the naturally processed, virgin coconut oil, since it’s better than the hydrogenated one.
What are the benefits of coconut oil?
Coconut oil raises the good cholesterol and also finds a way to balance blood sugar. Among others, it’s also antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It could be used for hair, skin, weight loss, infections such as Candida yeast infection, and so on. But what’s more important is that not only can coconut oil be used externally, but it also can be used internally, by being included in your cooking and different recipes.
How to eat coconut oil?
According to Healthline, coconut oil is ideal for cooking since almost 90% of its fatty acids are saturated, meaning it’s extremely stable at high temperatures. It has a high smoke point of 350°F (175°C). At room temperature, this oil is semi-solid, so it’s better if it’s kept out of the refrigerator and in the cupboards instead. It melts at 76°F (24°C). You can replace all your other oils, be them canola or corn oil, with the all-natural, virgin coconut oil. You can cook and also bake with the lovely coconut oil, and it will prove to be healthier than any other oil since it’s non-toxic.
Here’s how you can consume coconut oil by including it in your food and drinks:
1. Stir-fry with coconut oil
If you want to cook vegetables, eggs, fish, or meat – replace the other oils with this one by using from 1 to 2 tablespoons.
2. Bake with coconut oil
You can use coconut oil to coat poultry or meat before adding seasonings, says Healthline. However, according to Coconut Mama, you can switch butter or oil for coconut oil when making muffins, pancakes, or whatnot – just make sure all ingredients are room temperature before you start baking because when you add cold ingredients in the batter, coconut oil tends to solidify.
3. Include it in hot drinks (coffee or tea)
Coconut oil can be used even in coffee or tea. What you need to do is opt for a small amount of coconut oil, like a teaspoon or two.
4. Include it in smoothies
If you’re into smoothies, and like making them on your own, you can add a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mixture. However, if you don’t want it clumping up, opt for melted coconut oil. If you don’t mind the clumps, then do as you please.
5. Take it directly by the spoonful
If none of the aforementioned floats your boat, then you can simply take coconut oil by the spoonful. That is, if you don’t mind the direct taste of it. And, keep in mind, if you are trying to consume coconut oil in order for it to help you with weight loss, then it’s ideal if you take it 20 minutes before a meal to reduce the appetite, and boost the metabolism.
How much coconut oil should be consumed daily?
As to how much coconut oil should you consume daily, Healthline suggests that beginning with 1 teaspoon per day would be ideal, further increasing to 2 tablespoons per day over 1 – 2 weeks. 2 tablespoons are sufficient in achieving health benefits, research suggests, however, it’d be better if you went to this amount gradually, taking into consideration that you may experience nausea with immediate high intake.
However, not only is coconut oil beneficial when it comes to taking it via food, but it also has quite a few benefits when we use it externally. You can brush your teeth with coconut oil, use it as deodorant, use it as a moisturizer for both your skin and your hair, and plenty more. To see these in more details, and find out how you can include this oil in your daily routines for a healthier lifestyle, head over to our article here.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.
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