Is coconut oil good for you?

I am a gynecologist and I love coconut oil. I’ll give you 3 reasons why you should to.

Do you remember the coconut water marketing flurry of recent years? I initially was not a fan, but now find a good chilled unflavored coconut water very refreshing. I am also an 80’s baby, so the days of Almond Joy and Mounds being popular candy bars serve as a not so distant memory.

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I have recently discovered the very awesome and practically infinite uses of coconut oil. Here are some healthy and effective uses for everyday, plain, not-just-an-ingredient-in-another-product, coconut oil.

There are benefits of coconut oil for your skin and hair.

Body Moisturizer

Coconut oil is a mild but effective moisturizer for even the most sensitive of skin. I use it on myself and my infant because I don’t have to worry about unhealthy additions (like parabens) found in many lotions. It contains antioxidants which help keep skin healthy. Don’t look for it to keep you glossy all day, it absorbs well into the skin for real hydration. If your degree of ash is profound, you may need repeated applications.

Cooking Oil

While Coconut oil is high is saturated fat, the type of saturated fat (Lauric acid) may have some heart healthy qualities compared to other fats. If you replace unhealthy cooking oils (like butter, or canola oil) with coconut oil, you may even improve your cholesterol. The key word is replace, not add. Because we don’t know for sure if there are true health benefits, all saturated fats should be consumed sparingly.

Hair Oil 

The same qualities that make coconut oil great for skin, also make it great for hair. This oil is a non-greasy moisturizer that will penetrate your tresses without breaking the bank.

I prefer extra-virgin coconut oil. In it’s natural state, it is white and thick at room temperature and becomes clear and, well, oily when heated up, even in your hands. I love the subtle coconut aroma. Try it and leave a comment about your thoughts!

For more trusted and interesting information about the benefits of coconut, check out these websites- The National Institute of Health, Harvard Health Publications, and Shape Magazine.

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