Coconuts and coconut oil may be one of nature’s greatest gifts on this planet.  They’re a powerhouse of nutrition and contain unique properties that are not found in any other food.

Natives of the Polynesian islands have been consuming coconuts and coconut products for centuries.  They accredit the coconut for providing vital nutrition and it was a staple in their diet before industrialization.

Research shows that the saturated fat found in the coconuts has no harmful effect on the Polynesians who consume them (1).  In fact, saturated fat, especially from animals, is probably one of the most important things your body needs to be healthy. Unfortunately, mainstream medicine has shunned this beneficial fat in a negative light.

However, this post is not about the obvious agenda modern medicine has towards saturated fat, it’s about the amazing properties found in coconuts!

Below are the top 5 benefits of consuming coconuts and coconut oil daily!

Coconut Oil Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis

Many are under the impression that fat from oils are harmful to the human body.  However, these oils provide lubrication to the body and allow joints to move more freely without pain.

In fact, a study in India found that virgin coconut oil is extremely beneficial for those suffering with inflammatory conditions and works better than the leading arthritis medications (2).

Helps Boost the Immune System

Coconut oil contains a unique compound called lauric acid. This acid is only found in select foods and is great for fighting infection, reducing candida and discouraging the growth of harmful bacteria.

A study revealed that lauric acid is extremely beneficial at treating inflammatory skin conditions such as acne (3).  Further studies show that the lauric acids present in coconut and coconut oil naturally discourages the growth of candida in the body (4).

Aids in Fat Loss

Eat fat to lose fat.  This may seem counter intuitive but eating more fat can actually help aid in your weight loss.  In fact, fat is the preferred fuel source of the human body, not glucose.

Research shows that using ketones (fat) as a fuel source improves brain function and prevents against degenerative disease (5)(6).

However, coconut oil has also been shown to aid in fat loss.  The medium chain triglycerides (MCT) found in it helps improve weight loss and reduce fat (7).

Interestingly, back in the 40’s, farmers decided to feed their pig’s coconut oil in hopes to fatten them up and increase production time.  They believed the saturated fat found in coconut oil would cause the pigs to beef up much faster.  However, they quickly found out that the coconut oil actually made the pigs lose weight, not gain it!

Normalizes Blood Sugar Levels

Since coconut and coconut oil are naturally high in fat, they help the body stay fuller longer and don’t cause harmful insulin spikes in the body.

The MCT’s found in coconut help improve the metabolic function and improves insulin sensitivity over time.  In fact, the body does not need insulin to digest the oil.  It will receive the energy from the oil regardless of what insulin problems an individual may be facing.

Dr. Bruce Fife, the author of the The Miracle of Coconut Oil, recommends that diabetics should only use this oil due to its amazing health benefits.

Naturally Anti-Aging

As mentioned before, coconut oil with proper diet will naturally improve blood sugar levels over time.  Constant fluctuation in blood sugar levels and abnormally high blood sugar levels prematurely ages the body.

A study revealed that those with higher blood sugar levels caused an older looking appearance than those with lower blood sugar levels (8).

Where to Buy Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has taken the market by storm in the recent years.  However, many of these products are bleached or extracted using extremely high heat.  We personally like Viva Naturals coconut oil because it’s extracted using a simple press (extra virgin).  Also it’s “unrefined” which means it has not been bleached. It’s also 100 percent organic!