12 Things Most People Don’t Know About Coconut Oil

Among all other oils, coconut oil is one of the most multifaceted of them all because it can be used for just about anything. In addition to low-temperature cooking, coconut oil can also be used for both health and beauty purposes thanks to its saturated fats, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

At Bundaberg Health Foods, we have a large range of coconut products available.

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Here are 12 surprising properties of coconut oil that most people don’t know about.

1. Coconut oil has a high amount of medium-chain fatty acids

What does that mean? These fats are easily absorbed into the bloodstream during digestion to increase your metabolism and promote energy. Don’t worry, they’re the GOOD kind of fats that your body needs to function properly!

2. Coconut oil helps protect your body

Coconut oil has been found to be very effective in protecting the body (inside and out) against harmful organisms like bacteria, viruses, worms, mosquitoes, including fungal infections such as several types of Candida.

3. Coconut oil can help with mouth hygiene

When combined with baking soda, coconut oil makes for a great toothpaste due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

4. Coconut oil encourages weight loss

Being a medium-chain fatty acid, coconut oil increases energy and metabolism and a few spoons a day can help boost weight loss.

5. Coconut oil benefits hormonal production

Fat is one of the most crucial elements for hormonal balance, and coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is extremely beneficial for hormonal production and in turn, increases milk production for breastfeeding moms.

6. Coconut oil helps eliminate odour

The lauric acid in coconut oil also kills odour-causing bacteria, making it a natural deodorant.

7. Use coconut oil as a body scrub

When mixed with equal parts sugar and/or coffee grounds, coconut oil makes a luxurious body scrub.

8. Coconut oil repairs skin cells

Coconut oil has been shown to promote collagen production and repair the skin cells, therefore, it can be used as a natural moisturiser that does an excellent job of healing cuts, bruises, and sunburn.

9. Coconut oil nourishes the skin

Giving regular oil massages to a baby is very beneficial for proper nourishment. Therefore, it is important to choose the right oil! Coconut oil is one of the best choices because it is not only light in texture and therefore easily absorbed into the skin, but it is also effective in treating sensitive skin problems like eczema, rashes, patchy skin, dermatitis, and cradle cap thanks to its antioxidants, lauric and Caprylic acid properties.

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10. You can use coconut oil to treat hair

Coconut oil makes one of the best natural hair moisturisers and leave-in treatments that can stimulate faster growth, detangle, repair split ends, moisturise the scalp and make dandruff problems disappear.

11. Coconut oil helps balance cholesterol levels

While it contains more than 90% saturated fat, which is deemed unhealthy, coconut oil has been considered heart-healthy because when taken in moderation, it may raise high-density lipoprotein or HDL, which is good cholesterol.

12. Coconut oil can reduce the risk of diabetes

Some studies suggest that virgin coconut oil can reduce (and even reverse) the risk of type II diabetes and fight insulin resistance or glucose metabolism.

There you have it. Twelve surprising facts about coconut oil you may not have known about yet.

If taking coconut oil raw is not your cup of tea, it is also available in capsule form, which is equally beneficial. At Bundaberg Health Foods, we have many organic coconut products available; including coconut oil of the highest quality, coconut shavings, coconut water, coconut supplements, and more.