7 Surprising Coconut Oil Health Benefits

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For a few years now, coconut oil has become widely known for its health benefits. What is it with coconut oil that it has become a household name for DIY-ers and non-DIY-ers alike? According to Authority Nutrition, coconut oil is mainly high in saturated fatty acids and lauric acid that are beneficial to the body.

Aside from being a great skin care ingredient and cooking oil alternative, here are 7 surprising health benefits of coconut oil:

1.) Coconut Oil Can Speed Up Wound Healing

According to a study posted in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, wounds treated with coconut oil healed faster. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that aid in speeding the process.

2.) Coconut Oil Can Whiten Teeth

Swirling coconut oil in your mouth, the process known as "oil pulling", can improve oral health. According to news from Health.com, this practice can remove tooth stain and improve gum health.

3.) Coconut Oil Can Reduce Skin Aging

Coconut oil is great for the skin and hair, according to Dr. Oz in an article from Noble-House. The antioxidant properties of the oil can encourage the production of collagen and help reduce the damage to the healthy fats and tissues in our bodies.

4.) Coconut Oil Improves Brain Function

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCT), notes Dr. Alex Rinehart in Medical Daily. The MCTs are a "secondary fuel source", second to glucose, for brain and nervous system and the consumption of coconut oil can be beneficial to adults with memory impairment.

5.) Coconut Oil Helps Reduce Acid Reflux

According to an article in EarthClinic, coconut oil can treat acid reflux in many ways. Some studies have shown that acid reflux may be caused by too many bacteria in the stomach. Because coconut oil has antibacterial properties, consuming coconut oil can eliminate the bacteria and prevent the discomfort and pain from acid reflux because it coats the throat lining and esophagus.

6.) Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Weight and Increase Metabolism

Coconut oil contains ketone bodies that help in reducing your appetite, according to a study published in US National Library of Medicine. It also speeds up the metabolic rate of the body because the fatty acids in the oil are more water-soluble and allows the body to digest it easier than other oils, notes an article in EatingWell.

7.) Coconut Oil Boosts the Immune System

Aside from the antibacterial properties of coconut oil, a research from Coconut Research Center shows that it has antiviral properties too. Among the many viruses that coconut oil can prevent are: influenza, herpes, cytomegalovirus, HIV, listeria moncytogenes, heicobal pylori, measles and many more.