Benefits and uses of Virgin coconut oil

The coconut tree is claimed as the ‘lifeline of health’ due to its versatile benefits and uses. However, choosing the right type of oil from the different types available coconut oil brands can be a bit challenging. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oils are generally available in two varieties, virgin, and refined oils. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is made by cold pressing the liquid from the coconut pulp and then extracting the oil from the milk and water and has a milky appearance. It is 100% natural, unbleached and cold-pressed. Virgin coconut oil is popular for its pleasant aroma, flavor, powerful antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and essential vitamins, to name a few.

 Virgin coconut oil is made from coconuts without the use of heat. Compared to ordinary coconut oil, it is gaining popularity around the world due to its essential nutrients and benefits. 

Refined coconut oil is obtained through a process of refining and processing coconut oil through heat exposure. The flavor of coconut is very subdued since it has been made from dried coconut or Copra. The refined coconut oil is called RBD – refined, bleached, and deodorized. During this RBD process, the oil is deodorized under extreme heat,  filtered through clay to bleach the oil and remove impurities. Sodium hydroxide is added to the final product to ensure longer shelf life. 

Though refined coconut oil is less expensive, it is not as widely recommended as it loses all its nutrition while processing.

How Virgin Coconut Oil is made

The main difference between regular and virgin coconut oil lies in how it is made and extracted. Virgin oil is made from coconut milk, which is obtained from fresh coconuts. It then goes through various processes such as fermentation, stirring (centrifugal separation), cooling, and the effects of enzymes after this oil is separated from moisture. 

Edible Oil

Coconut oil obtained through direct cold-pressed extraction is good and edible for use. It has a broad spectrum of uses right from cooking oil, hair oils and for producing herbal oils. Purely crushed coconut oils are edible oil as it is heaped with medium-chain triglycerides that lower cholesterol and promote heart health. 

There was a time and age when virgin coconut oil was prepared at home by extracting coconut milk and heating it till it became oil. 

Health Benefits Of Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is simply unique and exotic in taste, this miracle oil also has an astonishing nutritional profile offering holistic healing effects. Improving heart health by increasing good cholesterol levels, helping with weight loss, alleviating infection symptoms, promoting healthy skin and hair, promoting digestion, and strengthening immunity are just a few of the impressive benefits. to health. 

1. Promotes Levels Of HDL Cholesterol

Coconut oil improves the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) which assists in promoting heart health. 

2. Weight Loss

Coconut is beneficial in burning the stubborn fat in the abdominal area and aids in losing weight. Coconut oil as compared to all other edible oils is easy to digest and aids in the proper working of the thyroid and endocrine system. Coconut oil can boost the body’s metabolic rate by getting rid of the stress on the pancreas by burning energy and aids in weight loss. 

3. Supports Heart Health

There is strong evidence showing that almost 50% of the fats in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as lauric acid, which is easily absorbed by the intestine and used by the body for energy. Furthermore, MCTs do not participate in cholesterol transport. 

4. Treats Alzheimer’s Disease

Coconut oil enhances the cognitive abilities of Alzheimer’s patients, particularly in language and orientation areas. The MCTs present in coconut oil is super-rich in ketones linked with boosting memory. 

5. Prevent Yeast Infection – Candida

Candidiasis is a severe condition caused due to an excessive growth of yeast called Candida albicans in the gut. Capric acid, caprylic acid, and lauric acid found in coconut oil assist in thwarting Candida albicans.

6. Improves Dental Health

Several kinds of researches recommend that the use of oil pulling is potent against several dental problems such as plaque and halitosis. 

7. Digestive Health

The essential fatty acids in coconut oil include lauric acid and monolaurin possesses strong antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help manage various bacteria, fungi, and parasites that cause several gut issues. 

8. Stress Relief:

Pure virgin coconut oil used as a carrier for aromatherapy is very relaxing and eases stress. Gently massaging coconut oil to the head aids in easing mental stress and fatigue due to its antioxidant properties. 

9. Diabetes:

Pure virgin coconut oil helps in stabilizing blood sugar spikes and promotes the secretion of insulin. It also stimulates the effective use of blood glucose which helps to manage diabetes. 

10. Bone Health:

Coconut oil fosters the ability of your body to absorb vital minerals including calcium and magnesium which are required for the development of bones and benefit women with osteoporosis. 

11. Treats Epilepsy

The goodness of MCTs in coconut oil is utilized as a part of a ketogenic diet to offer relief from seizures and epilepsy. 

Benefits for Hair and scalp health 

 The buttery-like coconut oil helps in stronger hair growth and offers a sparkling shine to hair strands. Some of the benefits are 

●       Improves hair quality

●       Prevents hair damage

●       Controls or prevents dandruff 

Benefits for skin health 

Coconut oil serves amazingly well for all types of skin. As per the latest study on the outcome of various plant oils on skin health, coconut oil is found to be super rich in powerful antibacterial, anti-aging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Coconut Oil is used widely in treating several skin problems that include the following: 

●       Treats Eczema And Psoriasis

●       Shields Against UV Radiation

●       Dermatitis

●       Heals Skin Wound

●       Dry Skin

●       Anti-bacterial Effect

●       Heals Burns 

Getting pure virgin coconut oil has become quite challenging with a plethora of oils in the market today. For the best range of carefully curated virgin coconut oil, visit our website and you can make your pick from the best.