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Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits And Side Effects

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2020

What Is Virgin Coconut Oil?

Derived from the fresh coconuts, virgin coconut oil has a pleasant fragrance and amazing taste. Virgin coconut oil is not that popular and many people do not know about it but once you get to know about the benefits of the oil then this is the oil you will choose.

It is called virgin coconut oil because it is extracted from the coconuts without heat application. The oil is taken out fresh and has more benefits than regular coconut oil.

Virgin coconut oil is healthy as it is taken out of the raw material and the process does not involve any heating, not even sunlight and this process of extraction is known as Micro-expelling.You should never heat up virgin coconut oil directly but you take out the oil in a cup and can put the cup in warm water. Never put the oil in direct sunlight.

Virgin Coconut Oil Nutritional Facts:

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Here are the nutritional facts about virgin coconut oil

Types Of Virgin Coconut Oil:

The type of virgin coconut oil is based on the method of its extraction. The extraction of virgin coconut oil is done by two methods:

  1. Cold Compression Method
  2. Fermentation Method

Both the methods involve utmost care and the oil is made with fresh coconut but the cold compression method is considered to be better because in the fermentation methods the level of moisture in the oil gets higher and the oil can get stale very fast.

Health Benefits Of Virgin Coconut Oil:

There are many miraculous benefits of virgin coconut oil and it is total bliss for people who want to remain healthy. Here are some of the benefits of virgin coconut oil adding in your regular diet:

  • Virgin coconut oil helps in the management of weight and keeps you fit.
  • It balances the thyroid gland and also provides energy
  • Keeps the skin and hair moisturized, keeps them healthy, prevents damage.
  • Virgin coconut oil is anti-viral and anti-bacterial and regular consumption makes the immune system strong.
  • This oil reduces the level of bad fat and maintains the level of cholesterol in the body. Regular consumption of extra virgin coconut oil helps in burning down the belly fat.
  • It keeps the intestine healthy by killing all the bad bacteria present there.
  • Virgin coconut oil is good for the stomach and reduces acidity, inflammation and boosts up the metabolism
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Best Time To Use Virgin Coconut Oil:

Virgin coconut oil can be used for many purposes as it has many health benefits. Here are some of the best time to use virgin coconut oil:

  • At night: It helps in treating insomnia. You can take one tablespoon of virgin coconut oil before going to bed.
  • Empty stomach: Taking virgin coconut oil empty stomach helps in curing stomach inflammation, reduces bacteria and improve digestion.
  • At the time of breakfast: Virgin coconut can also be taken at the time of breakfast or in the early morning as it helps reducing belly fat faster

Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits:

Here are some of the benefits of virgin coconut oil adding in your regular lifestyle:

1. Virgin Coconut Oil For Weight Loss:

Consuming virgin coconut oil helps in the management of weight which is a surprising factor. Virgin coconut is full of saturated fats which help in reducing your weight or does weight management.This oil helps by increasing the metabolism of the body and also it does not float around the blood chain like other fats and this result in weight loss. Regular consumption of coconut oil makes you fit and reduces fat from your body.

2. Virgin Coconut Oil For Baby:

Virgin coconut is very mild and is suitable for babies as there is no chemical used in its making. It relieves the baby from dry skin and moisturizes the skin. Virgin coconut oil also prevents excess moisture loss.

3. Virgin Coconut For Skin:

Virgin coconut oil is good for hair and skin as it has antioxidant properties and it also acts as a moisturizer. It helps by preventing the skin from getting dry, removes flakes and also reduces sagging of the skin.

4. Virgin Coconut Oil For Face:

Applying coconut oil on the face is good as it nourishes the face and makes the skin soft and glowing. You can also apply coconut oil overnight as it helps in nourishing the skin deeply.

It is also useful for oily skin as it helps in removing pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes. Virgin coconut oil can also be applied on lips as it makes them smooth and removes dryness.

5. Virgin Coconut Oil For Teeth:

Virgin coconut oil is beneficial for teeth as it makes the teeth white and also removes bad breath. You can also try oil pulling, it an ancient practice and keeps our mouth healthy. Keep the oil in your mouth for few minutes, swish and spit out. For better results repeat it two times a day.

6. Virgin Coconut Oil For Hair:

For hair, it reduces dandruff, makes them shiny and also reduces the breaking down of hair. For better results, you can directly apply virgin coconut oil on your hair or skin either you can buy virgin coconut oil-based products.

7. Virgin Coconut Oil For Building Immunity:

Virgin coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, capric acid and has anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-bacterial properties and all these properties help in making our immune system strong. Regular consumption of virgin coconut oil builds a strong immune system thus deactivating the growth of the virus.

8. Virgin Coconut Oil For Balancing Cholesterol:

Though virgin coconut oil is rich in fat and calories it keeps the cholesterol level under control. It reduces the level of bad cholesterol and also helps in keeping the heart-healthy.

9. Virgin Coconut Oil For Enema /Eczema:

Virgin coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties and it is beneficial for eczema. It kills the bacteria present on the skin and also helps in reducing inflammation and itching. Virgin coconut oil helps in keeping skin healthy and also removes the flakes.

10. Virgin Coconut Oil For Balancing Hypothyroidism:

Virgin coconut oil is also good for the thyroid gland. Regular consumption of coconut helps in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, provides energy and also elevates your mood. It also reduces the inflammation which leads to inflammation.

11. Virgin Coconut Oil During Pregnancy:

Virgin coconut oil eaten during pregnancy is beneficial as it helps in rid of dry skin, it can be used for massage, and regular use of virgin coconut oil is also beneficial for the baby’s health, skin and hair. It is also used for after pregnancy remedy for the removal of stretch marks from the stomach, legs, breast, and buttock.

Uses Of Virgin Coconut Oil:

Virgin coconut oil is very beneficial and is used for doing many things. It has a very good fragrance and amazing which makes it ideal for cooking. Virgin coconut oil works excellently as dips and sauces. It is a fantastic option for coffee addicts and can be used for making bullet-proof coffee.

Mixing virgin coconut oil in smoothies, shakes, ice creams, makes them tastier and fulfilling. It can even be used for sauteing vegetables as it adds up more nutrients. You can add virgin coconut oil in your daily diet and the abundance of lauric acid does not let the cholesterol level increase. Apart from cooking virgin coconut oil is also used for moisturizing skin, for hair and makes them shiny and beautiful.

Side Effects Of Virgin Coconut Oil:

Though virgin coconut oil has many benefits and is useful for many people there are exceptions and it may not be good for some people. Here are some of the side effects of virgin coconut oil:

  • Diarrhea: Virgin coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial, anti-microbial properties and excessive use of this oil may lead to the killing of good bacterias present in the digestive tract which leads to diarrhea.
  • Allergy:If you want the virgin coconut oil to be part of your daily diet then they should do it slowly and in small amounts as it can be allergic.

Best Virgin Coconut Oil Brands:

Virgin coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils and has many benefits. There are many people who might have not heard about virgin coconut oil but it is worth giving a try. The oil is very useful and keeps you healthy.

If you want to include virgin coconut oil in your regular diet then you can choose from the best virgin coconut oil brands that are available in the market. You can use this oil for cooking delicious dishes and apart from that also intake the nutrition and health benefits that the oil has.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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