From the islands of the Caribbean to the deltas of the Indus, coconuts are a natural treasure that provide us complete nutrition. Coconuts are a fruit, a seed, and a nut. You can eat them, drink their milk or water, or use their shell as a container or crockery.
These tropical delights have so many benefits that if we started to list them all down, we would run out of space. The sweet, milky taste of these fruits makes them a magic ingredient for cooking. Its health benefits are so vast that an entire section of traditional Indian medicine, known as Ayurveda, is dedicated to it. But today, we will be discussing the benefits of coconut oil in promoting weight loss.
WHAT IS COCONUT OIL?
Coconut oil is a natural plant oil that is extracted from the coconuts either through the dry processing method or the wet processing method. It has a high level of saturated fats, and if the temperature falls below 74 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil solidifies. Virgin coconut oil is considered to be most beneficial for health and beauty.
BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Helps Reduce Cravings
Coconut oil makes you feel full. A spoonful of coconut oil in the morning can make you feel full throughout the day. It helps reduce hunger and binge eating. Research has shown that when people consume coconut oil, the saturated fats in the oil make them feel full throughout the day, and as a result, they reduce their calorie intake by 256 calories
Boosts Energy
Consuming a spoonful of coconut oil daily can keep you energized throughout the day. It gives you more stamina and boosts your metabolism. In a study, it was found that when mice were fed the same amount of saturated fats that are found in coconut oil, they were able to swim for longer durations as compared to mice that were not fed a diet rich in saturated fats. People who consume coconut oil every day feel more active and have better endurance as compared to the ones who don’t.
Burns Calories
Coconut oil boosts your metabolism and helps you burn calories at a much faster rate. According to the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, consumption of coconut oil can help you burn more calories in a day as compared to other oils like soya bean oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil. In fact, coconut oil is so effective for an increased metabolic rate that our metabolism remains active for 24 hours and helps us burn calories throughout the day.
Reduces Belly Fat
Research-based evidence suggests that coconut oil helps target stubborn belly fat. It burns belly fat, allowing it to be excreted out of our body naturally through the lymphatic system. A study was conducted in which women were given 40 grams of coconut oil for 28 days. All the women lost a measurable amount of belly fat after 28 days.
Improves Digestion
Coconut oil is made up of smaller molecules of triglycerides as compared to other oils. This makes it easier to be broken down by our digestive system. It puts less strain on our digestive system, especially the pancreas, which is responsible for producing enzymes to break down fat, starch, and sugar.
Moreover, coconut oil reduces the inflammation of the pancreas, thereby allowing them to function properly and improve the overall digestion of fat, sugar, and starch. Improved digestion will ensure that fat from the food is properly broken down into smaller molecules and is used to give you energy instead of being stored in your body as a future reserve.