Top 10 Health Benefits of Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil Based on Research
In this researched-based article, we’ll discuss the health benefits of cold-pressed coconut oil and some of its most common usages.
🎓 Numbers in brackets are linked to research papers, scientific studies, and respectful health sources. All links open in a new window.
Coconut oil is sold as a superfood on a large scale. Coconut oil’s particular blend of fatty acids may provide health benefits, such as aiding weight loss, heart health, and cognitive function.
Coconut oil has been demonstrated to be one of the healthiest foods in about a thousand studies.
Coconut oil has various uses and healing effects that are far beyond people’s expectations; it is truly a superfood.
Because of its many benefits and applications, the coconut tree is referred to as the “lifeline of health.”
Choosing the correct type of oil from the several coconut oil brands available, however, can be difficult.
Cold-Pressed vs Refined Coconut Oil
Coconut is used to make virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, which is prepared without the need for heat. In comparison to regular coconut oil, it is rising in popularity around the world due to its essential nutrients and benefits.
Refined coconut oil is refined and treated by exposing it to heat. Because it is produced from dried coconut or copra, it has a mild coconut flavor. RBD – refined, bleached, and deodorized – is the name given to refined coconut oil.
The oil is deodorized under great heat and filtered through clays to bleach the oil and eliminate contaminants during the RBD process. To provide a longer shelf life, sodium hydroxide is added to the finished product.
The cold compression method of extracting virgin cold-pressed coconut oil is superior to the fermentation approach.
Because fermented oil has a high moisture content, it might degrade more quickly.
If you need to melt the oil during the winter, pour it into a small glass and place it in warm water; never melt it directly on the heat.
How to make extra virgin coconut oil?
The process of manufacturing and extracting normal and virgin coconut oil differs significantly. Coconut milk obtained from fresh coconuts is used to extract virgin oil.
After this oil is separated from moisture, it passes through many processes such as fermentation, churning (centrifugal separation), chilling, and enzyme activities.
The raw materials and extraction procedure for virgin oil do not allow for the use of heat. As a result, extra caution should be exercised when picking the kernel, and raw coconut milk should not be exposed to heat or sunlight throughout the entire procedure.
Micro expelling is a method of extracting virgin coconut oil from fresh dried coconut meals.
What is extra virgin coconut oil?
The term “extra virgin” is essentially worthless when it comes to coconut oil. However, many oil experts consider extra virgin olive oil to be the highest quality obtainable, and manufacturers are labeling cold pressed coconut oil as extra virgin as well.
Extra virgin coconut oil is not recognized as genuine by coconut regulating agencies, which only accept virgin grades.
Edible Oil
Coconut oil obtained through direct cold-pressed extraction is suitable for human consumption.
It has a wide range of applications, including cooking oil, hair oils, and the production of herbal oils.
Purely pulverized coconut oils are edible because they are high in medium-chain triglycerides, which help to decrease cholesterol and improve heart health [1].
Health Benefits of Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
1. Thyroid function and hormones
Extra virgin coconut oil’s MCFAs (Medium Chained Fatty Acids] are thought to speed up metabolism, giving you more energy and stimulating thyroid function.
It also contains lauric acid, which helps to naturally regulate hormones and boost estrogen levels, particularly during menopause. [2]
2. Healthy fatty acids are found in this product
Certain saturated fats are abundant in coconut oil. In comparison to most other dietary fats, these fats have different effects on the body.
Cold-pressed coconut oil contains fatty acids that can help your body burn fat and deliver rapid energy to your body and brain. MCTs tend to go straight to your liver when you ingest them. Your body converts them to ketones or uses them as a rapid source of energy.[3]
They also raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood, which may assist to lower the risk of heart disease. [4]
Long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) make up the majority of dietary fats, while medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are shorter fatty acid chains found in coconut oil.
3. Infections caused by Candida and yeast
Capric acid and lauric acid in cold-pressed coconut oil have been proved in scientific research to be excellent therapies for candida and yeast infections. [5]
Caprylic acid, which is found in the oil, is known for its ability to target dangerous microorganisms and eliminate excess candida.
4. Diabetes is managed using this medication
Diabetes affects tens of thousands of individuals worldwide today. While there is no known cure for this lifestyle condition, people can attempt to keep their blood sugar levels in check in order to live a healthy life.
Consuming cold-pressed coconut oil on a daily basis can assist increase insulin secretion without causing an insulin spike. [6]
The MCFAs included in virgin coconut oil serve to relieve stress on the pancreas by offering an alternative energy source to the glucose found in our blood.
Coconut oil contains medium-chain lipids, which are more difficult to burn.
5. Weight loss is aided by this supplement
It is a well-known fact that our diets are frequently more crucial than our exercise routines. Not only do we need to keep track of our calories, but we also need to keep track of where those calories are coming from.
In this case, it’s best to switch to cold-pressed coconut oil, unprocessed virgin coconut oil instead of your regular oil. Vitamin E, antioxidants, and polyphenols help to keep the body’s hormone levels in check.
Furthermore, because virgin coconut oil is free of saturated fats, it is seen as a viable weight-loss option.
Replacement of LCTs with MCTs in the diet could potentially induce modest reductions in body weight and composition without adversely affecting lipid profiles. [7]
6. Skin is nourished
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is or where you are in the world. You should begin taking care of your skin in your teens in order to have perfect skin throughout your middle years and into old age.
Many people invest in intricate and expensive skincare routines as a result, yet a simple DIY addition can do wonders for their skin.
If you have dry, damaged skin or chapped lips in the winter, virgin coconut oil is a must-have. Coconut oil can help your skin retain moisture by improving the lipid levels in your skin.
7. It May Help With Altzheimers Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative dementia in the developed world.
In observatory research of 44 patients with Alzheimer’s in the region of Ribera (Valencia), It was observed in patients who received coconut oil, that cognitive improvement after completion of the intervention, statistically significantly improved in the orientation and language construction areas.
It was concluded that Coconut oil appears to improve the cognitive abilities of Alzheimer’s patients, with different intensities depending on the cognitive area. [8]
8. Reduces the Chances of Heart Disease
Your heart is continually on the move, even while your body is resting during sleep, and as a result, it is more prone to wear and tear as time passes.
As a result, it’s even more critical to look after your heart as you become older. While saturated fats are typically avoided when it comes to heart health, coconuts act in a different way than animal-derived lipids.
Consuming cold-pressed coconut oil helps to maintain a healthy balance of HDL and LDL in your blood, lowering your risk of heart disease. [9]
9. May reduce seizures
The ketogenic diet, which is very low in carbs and high in fats, is currently being studied by researchers to treat a variety of illnesses.
This diet’s most well-known therapeutic application is in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in youngsters. [10]
Even in children with epilepsy who have failed to respond to numerous types of medicines, the diet drastically reduces the rate of seizures. Researchers are baffled as to why this is.
Ketone levels in the blood rise dramatically when glucose intake is reduced and fat intake is increased.
Because MCTs in coconut oil are carried to the liver and converted to ketones, healthcare providers may employ a modified keto diet with MCTs and a higher carb intake to induce ketosis and assist treat epilepsy.
10. Improves brain function
The dialogue about mental health has grown in recent years, which has aided many people in making their mental health a priority.
Due to its high fatty acid content, cold-pressed coconut oil was found to be effective in enhancing human recall ability in a study published in 2004.
Because the MCTs in cold-pressed coconut oil are easily absorbed by the body, your brain cells can easily access and use the energy. [11]
Coconut Oil Uses
Abhyanga is a self-massage technique
Massage with coconut oil improves blood circulation, lubricates internal organs, joints, and bones, improves sleep quality, provides moisture, and softens and smoothes the skin. For optimal results, use on a daily basis or at least 2-3 times per week.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling with coconut oil is an age-old method that helps to combat dangerous bacteria, decrease bad breath, prevent dental cavities, and boost gum health. 1-3 times a day is recommended.
Nutritional Information
Almost percent of the calories in coconut oil come from fat, which may sound alarming, but fat is an important macronutrient for a variety of body activities.
Fat is required for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, the production of hormones, the protection of the organs, and the maintenance of a normal body temperature.
Fatty Acid Content of Coconut Oil
- Type of Fatty Acid
- Lauric saturated, C12 48%
- Myristic saturated C14 16%
- Palmitic saturated C16 9.5%
- Decanoic saturated C10 8%
- Caprylic saturated C8 7%
- Oleic monounsaturated C18:1 6.5%
- Others (Polyunsaturated) 5%
Vitamins and Minerals
Coconut oil may not be too rich in micronutrients. But, it still contains a trace amount of them. The particular mineral found in coconut oil is iron.
It’s important in the transportation of oxygen in the body.
It also contains sufficient amounts of vitamin K, and E. Vitamin K helps in wound healing while vitamin E works as an antioxidant that protects your skin cells from damage.
Coconut oil’s nutritional values per 100 grams
- Energy 862 kcal (3,607 kJ)
- Fat 100 g
- Saturated 86.5 g
- Monounsaturated 5.8 g
- Polyunsaturated 1.8 g
Vitamins
- Vitamin E 0.09 mg
- Vitamin K 0.5 μg
Minerals
- Iron 0.04 mg
Phytonutrients
- Phytosterols 86 mg
An excellent source of energy
Athletes, bodybuilders, and weight watchers are the most common users of cold-pressed coconut oil.
Coconut oil’s fat is immediately transformed into an instant source of energy, and it does not cause fat to build up in the heart and arteries. It also aids athletes in increasing their energy, endurance, and overall performance.
Although coconut oil can add taste and variety to a diet, research suggests that it is unlikely to be a superfood.
While switching from one oil to another may be beneficial to one’s health, adding more of any oil to one’s diet is unlikely to help one lose weight or enhance their overall health.
Oils and fats should always be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They should also make sure that they are getting enough exercise to burn off the calories they ingest.
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