Coconut oil is a staple in my kitchen and after reading this post, I hope it’s in your kitch too. The coconut has been valued for thousands of years, rightly so! Scriptures of Hinduism dating back to 1500 B.C.E. said it nourishes the body, increases strength and promotes beautiful hair and skin. In Ayurveda medicine, it has been used for over 4,000 years as an effective treatment for skin diseases. It’s also a good lube (yes, I did just say that). Why put chemicals anywhere near your lady-parts or your man’s man-parts I say! Coco oil smells delicious too. And that just barely scratches the surface.
In the Phillipines, the coco plant is called the “tree of life”. Interestingly, a country where coconut oil appears in virtually every single dish, also has the LOWEST cancer rates of the 50 countries surveyed by the National Cancer Institute. Now let’s get right down to the nitty gritty of why coconuts make me so dang joyous!
First I want to set the record straight about coconut oil and heart disease.
Due to one study, it was mistakenly accused of contributing to heart disease due to its saturated fat content. Harvard researchers have later reviewed that initial study and concluded it was not accurate because the oil used in the study that raised cholesterol levels in rats was “hydrogenated” which altered it to the point of being devoid of ANY essential fatty acids. Despite this misinformation, coco oil continues to be demonized even though the latest research shows that coco oil not only causes an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol, but it does NOT increase LDL (bad) cholesterol. And this is just one of many health benefits, please share this knowledge to set the record straight!
Health benefits:
Promotes weight loss
Studies have shown that when coco oil has been part of one’s diet, white fat stores have been reduced. Due to the medium chain (MCTs) being so well absorbed and used an energy source, their burning actually increases metabolic rate. A diet high in MCTs showed in a study over a 6-day period to increase thermogenesis by 50% – that’s huge, talk about fat burning potential just by adding it to your smoothie!
Beautifying
You can literally slather your body in coco oil after a shower or a bath and use it as a hair moisturizer and not have to worry about any toxic chemicals being absorbed into your blood stream through your skin. Wonderful for dry, flaky and dull-looking skin or dry scalp. It can also been used for psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.
Immune-enhancing
Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in the coconut is in the form of medium-chain (12-carbon) saturated fat called “lauric acid”. The only other abundant source of this healing fat is in breast milk. Your body converts this to a a highly beneficial compound called monolaurin, an anti-viral, antibacterial that destroys a wide variety of disease causing organisms. H. Pylori, yeast, fungi, protozoa and a number of species of ringworm are all destroyed by lauric acid.
Anti-viral for sexually transmitted disease
Another fat in coconut is called capric acid which when converted in the body to monocaprin has been shown to have antiviral effects for many sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia, herpes and HIV. In fact, these antiviral compounds are currently being heavily researched in treatment for AIDS patients. Initial studies are showing that coco oil reduces the viral load in people with AIDS.
Safest oil for cooking
Due to the fact it’s a saturated fat, it is very stable and can withstand high heat without turning rancid making it ideal for cooking, sauteing and roasting food. Plus it tastes absolutely deeeelish!
Now that you have the health benefits, I hope you are excited to pick up a bottle at your local health food store! Next week I will write a post for you that includes my favourite brands, recipes, how to use it, but in the meantime if you are already excited to get going with it, then just add 1 tbsp to your morning smoothie.
Have a joyous day!
Joy
61 thoughts on “Health Benefits of Coconut Oil & Why You Need to Get Some!”
Hi Joy,
Where do you buy your coconut oil. I haven’t seen this brand at regular supermarkets and I don’t believe I’ve seen it at my health food store either.
Thanks!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joy McCarthy, Leesie and healthymodel, Sarah Mickeler. Sarah Mickeler said: Plus you get to smell like a macaroon! Yum! RT @joyoushealth: Health benefits of coco oil: http://ow.ly/3L17E For skin and heart and hair! […]
I can’t believe the timing of this post!!! Just this morning, my husband, who has been suffering from VERY itchy eczema the last few days, said that he was going to call his doctor and get a cortisone shot. Being of the more holistic approach I told him that I would prefer he didn’t, but people need to do what they want to do. Then, voila! I get into work, open up my email and there is your article about coconut oil and it’s many, many benefits including that coconut oil can be put directly on the skin and will help, among other things, eczema!!!!! I phoned my husband right away and he has agreed to hold off on the cortisone shot and on my way home from work today, I’ll be stopping at the health food store and picking up a bottle of coconut oil!!!!
I love coconut oil, for all the reasons you mentioned above, but most of all how tasty it is!!
xo
What awesome timing you have! I just ordered some off amazon.com(it’s on sale at the moment, btw) because the price at my health food store is totally ridiculous. Or maybe that’s just the regular price, I don’t know, either way I could never justify buying it. Anyways, I am so incredibly excited to try it finally! Thank you for making me even more excited 😀 How can I not be, knowing how good it is for me 😀
LOVE coconut oil 🙂
Agreed 100% I am eating some right now!
Great! BTW, you should be able to get a decent sized bottle for under 20 bux. Make sure it’s organic of course.
I bought this brand from Whole Foods, but you can get it from any health food store. In fact, most regular grocery stores will have organic coco oil in the health foods section.
How do you consume coconut oil? I tried putting it in my smoothies and it got hard and chunky, and I don’t cook much, eat mostly raw, vegan meals.
Stay tuned, will post next week 🙂
I freaking love coconut oil. I keep a small jar in my bathroom and every night before bed I take a dab, liquify it between my palms, and rub it gently through my hair. It makes it so incredibly soft and it smells wonderful. Additionally, I recently started taking organic coconut oil softgels (purchased on iherb.com) everyday and I have noticed how they seem to keep me from being so ravenously hungry throughout the day. I can’t wait for you to share how you use it next week, Joy! I enjoy it in smoothies too, but have noticed that it clumps up, so any tips you have on keeping that from happening are very appreciated!
I hear ya about the clumping… you can always warm it slightly before you toss it in your smoothie. If your smoothie is ice cold though, it will always clump. Mine is usually almost liquid or at least very soft because I keep it in a warm place in my kitchen. I freakin’ love it too! Love your comment, thanks for writing 🙂
I LOVE coconut oil! I like to use it on my popcorn, add a touch of sea salt and it’s movie time. Since I started using coconut oil I barley use any olive oil.
Thanks for the great article,
Lisa
I get mine at Fred Meyer in their health food section. I have not been able to find it at Safeway or Winco.
Funny enough I’ve had a jar of sitting in my cupboard for a few months now. Does it have a shelf life? After 3 months is it safe to use? A friend gave it to me but I didn’t know all it’s uses! After reading your post, I’m inspired to crack it open!
Jenn
Oh yes! It should be good, so long as it’s not past the expiry date and it’s never been opened. Enjoy!
[…] you read all about my post on the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil last week. And if you didn’t, give it a gander before you read on. I want you to be joyous […]
Hi Joy…what do you recommend as a good facial moisturizer?
You mention that the study used to condemn coconut oil in connection with heart disease was hydrogenated. It would appear from that statement that not all the oils are equal. What should we be looking on the label…. 100% organic extra-virgin … expeller pressed? Also I wanted to mention that the expeller pressed oil I purchased has absolutely no coconut flavour ( my husband prefers that) and the extra-virgin has a strong flavour which I like. Is this difference a reflection on the quality of the oil?
If coco oil isn’t too rich, I reco that. Otherwise I love all of Pure + Simple products. http://www.pureandsimple.ca/
i have heard that a company called ‘green pastures’ has good coconut oil. i have a question about coconut milk– does it have the health benefits of coconut oil?
It depends how pure it is.. ie pasteurized or from fresh?
i just bought a jar. i initially bought it to make a yummy chocolate sauce but now that i see all of its other uses, like for your hair and skin, i’m super excited to try it out! during the winter my skin is so dry, i’m having to put lotion on several times during the day. i can’t wait to use it. and my sister has eczema, i’ll be sure to recommend it to her to try. it’s way better than the creams that her doc’s been prescribing, with steroids and all, yuck.
Great post! I love coconut oil…it’s my go to for all cooking! Question for you – how much should you be consuming on a daily basis to get the full health benefits?
1-2 tbsp is sufficient. 🙂
Sometimes when I have coconut oil it gives me the runs, why do you think that happens?
[…] clock. While there are certainly foods from far away with incredible benefits (examples such a coconut oil and chia seeds) it is still important to remember what is growing in Ontario. I love local food and […]
[…] quinoa 1 small onion, chopped 1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/2 red pepper finely chopped 2 tbsp organic coconut oil 1/2 cup pecans or almonds, roughly chopped 2 eggs slightly beaten 3/4 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup […]
Thanks for the great article, Joy! I kept walking past the coconut oil in the health food store, and I wanted to buy it, but had no idea how and when to use it. This definitely helps! 🙂
[…] Joy McCarthy of joyoushealth.ca on Health Benefits of Coconut Oil […]
WOW. . I watched your presentation on “the Morning Show” and then researched you on the net in an effort to find out more about Coconut Oil. I’m so pleased that I was rewarded just be signing up to ‘Read all about You and your Good Gracious, Good News’.
Thanks so very much.
Thank you for this awesome information.
I’ve been buying that brand at the Bulk Barn.
For the 860ml jar I think it was a little less than $10.
It’s an awesome replacement for chap stick too.
(if you can quit licking it off!)
I’ve even spread it on toast in place of butter. YUM!
[…] Physical application encouraged: Apply directly to the skin for an instant, deep moisturizer, and can also be used as a lube! Check out the post on Joyous Health. […]
[…] http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2011/01/26/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some/ […]
Just found this site, but I recently found out that Refined coconut oil will not have a coconut taste or smell. If you want the coconut taste be sure to get some that isn’t refined. Refined coconut oil still retains all the nutrients but doesn’t have the smell and taste.
Wow, I just love your website. I’m hooked!
Thanks so much!
[…] The good fat in the coconut milk is chock-full of fat-busting nutrients. These good fats especially MCTs are particularly beneficial in that they don’t require bile acids for digestion, and they’re directly shunted to the liver via the portal vein. In fact, you can read my post on why coconut products are so good for you. […]
[…] will be talking about one of my favourite beautifying tips — Coconut Oil. I’ve written several posts and done many YouTube videos on this deliciously healthy fat. […]
[…] *For all you coconut product virgins There is a significant difference between the “coconut butter” and the oil. The butter is the coco flesh plus the oil. The actual butter is incredibly sweet and melts in your mouth. It contains vitamins, minerals and protein — it’s truly unadulterated. You must add the butter to you kitchen pantry! I have included the link of the brand I like and schlop on top of pancakes. However, use the coconut oil for a non-stick surface when cooking anything as it’s very heat stable. It’s LOADED with health benefits: http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2011/01/26/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some/ […]
[…] to all the benefits of coconut oil (which my nutritionist pal Joy has summarized beautifully in this post), it is also known to be a very healthful choice for people with gallbladder disease…which I […]
Hi Lee,
We will be able to provide EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL regulerly from our agent in N.J USA.
Please lets know your requirements
Regards
P.V.Chidambaram
Further to my earlier E.Mail please reply to me
britishcat2000@yahoo.com
[…] Curious what makes coconut oil so super? http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2011/01/26/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some/ […]
” Studies have shown that when coco oil has been part of one’s diet”- Is there a link/reference to those studies?
[…] http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2011/01/26/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some/ […]
I found it at Krogers in the organic dept…
Costco sells it in big tubs. Its also the cheapest price I have ever seen anywhere.
I’d like to know how it worked for him. I have noticed a change already in my dry scalp. I applied it to my hair and scalp, and slept with it in, overnight.The next day I washed my hair with shampoo. What a difference!! Silky smooth hair and scalp is not as dry.I will use it all the time now. Organic coconut oil….nothing better!
Coconut oil is also a staple in our house and I was wondering if coconut oil is safe to use on newborns?
[…] it “nourishes the body, increases strength and promotes beautiful hair and skin” (Source). However, and perhaps rightly so, there are skeptics to coconut oil’s slew of possible […]
[…] might have noticed, I have created hundreds of recipes over the years using coconut oil, shared the health benefits and the many uses for coconut oil and other coconut products. I even have a chapter in my book […]
So I’m confused! Exactly what kind of coconut oil should I look for? Organic, non-hydrogenated, non-refined…? And I have a jar that I opened 1 1/2 years ago. The expiration date is still good. Is it still good?
If it smells good then it’s good. When an oil goes rancid you can tell. Coconut oil is shelf stable for quite a long time however your nose will guide you! Hope that helps.
Hi Joy and team!
I loved this article and love coconut oil! My boyfriend is a skeptic though and is very science-based…is there anyway you could cite the journal/study you got this info from? 🙂 he wants the cold hard facts!
What do you think about the new comments from a Harvard prof that says that coconut oil is “poison”? I am very confused!
Hi Angela, a great question! And one I’ve been getting a lot lately. It’s worthy of a whole blog post so I haven’t written anything in rebuttal to that confusing comment, but Chris Kresser is a nutrition expert I respect and here’s a great read: https://chriskresser.com/coconut-oil-is-still-healthy-despite-aha-claims/
Hey Angela!
I understand the health & nutrition world (and views on coconut oil) can often be confusing because for every person saying one thing, there’s a person or organization saying the opposite.
I would suggest reading this article about coconut oil on Joyous Health where it explains the benefits of coconut oil and why coconut oil got a bad rep in the past: https://www.joyoushealth.com/3541-blog-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some
Essentially, there was a study that mistakenly accused of contributing to heart disease due to its saturated fat content. When the study was later reviewed, it was found that it wasn’t accurate because the oil used in the study that raised cholesterol levels in rats was “hydrogenated” which altered it to the point of being devoid of ANY essential fatty acids.
It’s also important to take note of who is funding the research of the study. In the past (1960s), the sugar industry actually paid to shift the blame to fat for all of the health risks that come with consuming sugar. It’s super fascinating but it makes sense why fat has such a bad reputation now, even though healthy fats are vital in a healthy diet. You can read about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/well/eat/how-the-sugar-industry-shifted-blame-to-fat.html
All that to say, coconut oil is still a great addition to a healthy diet but like anything, use it moderately 🙂
Rachel – Joyous Health Team
Thank you
You’re welcome!