Even the very best health benefits of coconut are numerous. These health benefits range from reducing inflammation to supporting many of your body’s processes to reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
One coconut provides two forms of nutrient benefits. One is from the coconut water and the other from the coconut meat. One 400 gram coconut, about medium sized, can provide your body with it’s daily needs of nutrients, minerals and even energy. Coconut oil is over 80% saturated fat consisting of medium-chain fatty acids instead of long-chain fatty acids that are highly consumed.
Long-chained fatty acids must be broken down before being absorbed by your body. Short and medium-chain fatty acids which are abundant in coconut oil are easy for your body to digest and are sent directly to your liver to produce energy. Coconuts are high in the beneficial saturated fatty acid, lauric acid which composes 44-55% of the saturated fat. In the body, lauric acid is converted to monolaurin which helps the immune system to fight diseases and viruses. Coconut oil is also rich in capric acid sharing some of the same antimicrobial benefits that help protect you from infections.
Health officials are often concerned about the high content of saturated fat in coconuts. And most health officials have claimed all saturated fats are bad and cause heart disease. Evaluation of these claims have found them to be acutely flawed. Unprocessed saturated fats should be an important part of a healthy diet and should be regularly consumed, not actively avoided.
Vitamin and mineral makeup of coconuts. One medium coconut contains 22% vitamin C, 6% calcium, 54% iron. 100 grams of coconut meat contain 356 mg of potassium – folates, riboflavin, thiamin, copper and magnesium.
“Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth.”
Bruce Fife, N.D.
Best Health Benefits of Coconut
- helps prevent risk factors of heart disease
- prevents high risk factors of blood pressure
- supports liver health
- supports kidney health
- helps with UTI’s
- boosts immune system
- supports brain health
- supports good memory
- supports healthy digestion
- supports healthy bones
- supports healthy insulin levels
- supports healthy metabolism
- helps build muscles
- anti-viral properties
- lowers oxidative stress
- supports thyroid health
- moisturizes skin
- reduces inflammation
- may help with arthritis
- anti-bacterial | anti-fungal
- reduces symptoms of gallbladder disease
- supports healthy skin | decrease wrinkles
- kills Candida overgrowth
- improves energy
- reduces stomach ulcers
- positive effects on estrogen levels
Bergamot-Lime Deodorant Recipe
Ingredient List
1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil or shea butter
1/2 cup baking soda or arrowroot powder
40-60 drops pure essential oils [Scent recommendation: Citrus bergamia (bergamot) essential oil & Citrus aurantifolia (lime) essential oil
dark glass jar
Directions
Put coconut oil or shea butter in bowl. Mix in baking soda or arrowroot powder. Add in essential oils. Store in a covered dark glass jar.
CAUTION: Exposure to sunlight should be avoided after applied or rubbed onto skin exposed to sunlight.
Isn’t it amazing that this simple tropical fruit can provide your body with so many health benefits? Now that you know the best health benefits of coconut, it may be a good time to begin to include coconut as a staple in your home and in your diet.
Resources and Research
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): In health promotion and disease prevention. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2011, Pages 241-24. doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3
Ray Peat, PhD Quotes on Coconut Oil.
Ray Peat. Coconut Oil Article.
Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and urinary catecholamines of humans consuming low-to-moderate amounts of medium-chain triglycerides: a dose-response study in a human respiratory chamber. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996 Mar;50(3):152-8.
Equivalence of lauric acid and glycerol monolaurate as inhibitors of signal transduction in Staphylococcus aureus. J Bacteriol. 2000 May;182(9):2668-71.
In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7.
A COCONUT EXTRA VIRGIN OIL-RICH DIET INCREASES HDL CHOLESTEROL AND DECREASES WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE AND BODY MASS IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS. Nutr Hosp. 2015 Nov 1;32(5):2144-52. doi: 10.3305/nh.2015.32.5.9642.
Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Mar;25(3):311-4.
Effects of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and body composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Feb;115(2):249-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2014.10.022.
Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity. Lipids. 2009 Jul;44(7):593-601. doi: 10.1007/s11745-009-3306-6. Epub 2009 May 13.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.
Loretta Lanphier, NP
Loretta Lanphier is a Traditional Naturopathic Practitioner, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Certified Clinical Herbalist. She is the CEO and Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands, Texas.
With more than 25 years of experience in natural health and wellness, Loretta has devoted her career to studying and researching natural medicine, whole-body wellness, hormone wellness, healthy aging, clinical nutrition, weight management, herbal remedies, and non-toxic approaches to cancer support. She remains actively involved in researching and developing natural health protocols, educational resources, and products designed to support the body’s remarkable ability to heal and maintain optimal health.
A Stage 3 colon cancer survivor since 2001, Loretta brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work. Having experienced the healing journey from both sides, as a patient and a practitioner, she understands the importance of addressing the whole person and root causes rather than focusing solely on individual health concerns and symptoms. Her personal experience continues to inspire her passion for educating and empowering others to take an active role in their health and well-being.
My passion has always been helping others understand what it takes to keep the whole body healthy through natural, non-toxic approaches that support the body’s God-given ability to heal.
Loretta also serves as Chief Wellness Officer for Dr. Edward Group, DC, contributing to natural health education, wellness program development, and research.
Read Loretta’s personal cancer journey: Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is a Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness.
