8 health benefits of coconut oil, not just for cooking purposes
1. Contains Healthy Fatty Acids
Coconut oil is high in certain saturated fats. These fats have a different effect on the body than most other dietary fats.
The fatty acids in coconut oil can encourage your body to burn fat and provide fast energy to your body and brain. It also raises HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
2. Improve Heart Health
Coconut is an uncommon food in the Western world, with health-conscious people being the main consumers.
However, in some parts of the world, coconut – which is loaded with coconut oil – is a staple food that people have developed for generations.
For example, a 1981 study noted that residents of Tokelau, an island chain in the South Pacific, derive more than 60 percent of their calories from coconuts. Researchers reported not only overall good health, but also very low rates of heart disease.