Coconut oil: is it good or bad? we have the answer

EVERYTHING you need to know about coconut oil

Coconut oil has given us A LOT to talk about in recent years. It's good? It is bad? What is it for? If you are a bit confused, don't worry: in this article we are going to explain EVERYTHING you need to know about coconut oil. What is it? What are its benefits? And the contraindications? Do not miss it!

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil, also known as coconut butter. Beyond being a fashionable ingredient, it is a substance that contains about 90% saturated acids that can be obtained from dry coconut or fresh coconut (also known as extra virgin coconut oil). Fresh coconut does not go through refining processes and does not lose nutrients. Know the properties of coconut oil and what you can use (and why not), in your day to day.

Properties of coconut oil: beneficial for your skin

To begin with, it is a natural cosmetic that will go very well if you want to hydrate and protect the skin . The vitamin E it contains prevents premature aging of the skin. If you use it at night (as if it were a cream), you will repair the skin and give it an incredible luminosity. In addition, you can use it as a lip balm and / or makeup remover, as long as your skin is not very oily.

And for your hair?

Coconut oil has been used since ancient times in India to care for hair. Protects and revitalizes hair, and deeply nourishes it. If you have dry hair, it is the PERFECT cosmetic for you, thanks to its high moisturizing power. If you want to know more about coconut oil for hair, take a look.

An acne remedy?

Many people believe that coconut oil is capable of fighting acne, however there is no study to prove it. Of course, the fatty acids it contains have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action against Cutibacterium acnes, which is linked to acne. In addition, it is deeply hydrating, which is crucial for treating acne, but this does not make it a "miracle" remedy. Conclusions? If you use it, you will see that the skin is more hydrated and luminous, but do not expect much more.

Coconut oil as a sunscreen?

You must have heard it several times. Well no, according to the In vitro sun protection factor determination of herbal oils used in cosmetics study conducted by the Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur (India), coconut oil cannot replace sunscreen . In the study in question, the value of the Sun Protection Factor of the different vegetable oils was calculated. The winner? Olive oil with an SPF of 7.5, followed by coconut oil with an SPF of 7.1. In both cases an insufficient protection factor.

A remedy against stretch marks?

If you use it as if it were a body lotion, it will help you prevent stretch marks (but not fight them!). By hydrating, nourishing and increasing the elasticity of the skin, it helps you stop the appearance of stretch marks.

Coconut oil for teeth whitening?

We already know it's one of Gwyneth Paltrow's beauty tips, but the way it is: it's not highly recommended. Coconut oil has whitening properties and it may achieve that effect in principle, but … it will do so by eroding tooth enamel!

It is good for health?

According to the 2017 American Heart Association report, coconut oil increases levels of LDL cholesterol, better known as "bad cholesterol", since it contains 82% saturated fat. It is also not good for our cardiovascular health. Put it on your body, but not inside it.

Pure poison?

Karin Michels, director of the Institute for Tumor Prevention and Epidemiology at the University of Freiburg and a professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, advises against using coconut oil as a food. According to her, "it is not only pure poison, but it is one of the worst foods you can eat." The expert believes that "it is more dangerous than butter" and insists that the more coconut oil consumed, the greater the risk of blockage of the arteries .

No reliable data

The researcher Karin Michels also criticized that organic stores have been filled with products with this type of oil in recent years. "Unfortunately, they play with this. I do not know if it is out of ignorance or if it is a matter of profit," she explained. In addition, she has criticized many books on the subject, since "most of them lack reliable. data. "

Without any evidence

His colleagues share this opinion. "Many claims are made that coconut oil is wonderful for many different things, but we really don't have any evidence of long-term health benefits," explained Walter C. Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard TH Chan. School of Public Health.

A superfood?

According to the British Nutrition Foundation, "Coconut oil can be included in the diet, but as it is high in saturated fat, it should only be included in small amounts and as part of a healthy and balanced diet." In reality, experts have yet to agree on whether its saturated fats are truly harmful. In fact, according to a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who regularly consume dairy products high in fat (and rich in saturated fatty acids) are not at increased risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke or other disease than those who do not consume these products.

Confused? We too. It is advisable to stop believing in "superfoods" and follow a healthy diet model, such as the Mediterranean diet.

And if you really want to eat foods with "super powers" …

Then you should limit (and a lot) the consumption of ultra-processed foods and opt for vegetables, fruits, legumes, meat, fish and nuts.

Coconut oil … Much has been said about this "miracle" ingredient in recent years. Is good or bad? Which has benefits? Should we take it or apply it as a beauty cosmetic? It seems that science does not agree and that it is advisable to stop believing in "superfoods" and follow a varied and healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.

The whole truth about coconut oil: properties, benefits, what it is for …

It is a vegetable oil that contains about 90% saturated acids that can be obtained from dry coconut or fresh coconut (also known as extra virgin coconut oil). It has multiple benefits for your skin and hair.
It is a natural cosmetic that hydrates, protects the skin and prevents its premature aging . You can use it as a lip balm and makeup remover. Protects and revitalizes hair, and deeply nourishes it. Of course, while many people believe that coconut oil is capable of fighting acne, there is no study that could prove it. And, of course, it is not a substitute for a sunscreen cream either.
Many celebrities have admitted that they use coconut oil on a daily basis. Gwyneth Paltrow, for example, uses it to whiten her teeth , but we don't recommend doing it: yes, coconut oil has whitening properties and it might achieve that effect in principle, but … it will do so by eroding tooth enamel! !
According to various experts, coconut oil is NOT good for your health . The American Heart Association believes that it increases the levels of LDL cholesterol, better known as "bad cholesterol", since it contains 82% saturated fat. It is also not good for our cardiovascular health.
Karin Michels, a professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, describes it as "pure poison, one of the worst foods you can eat." He insists that the more coconut oil consumed, the more risk of artery blockage there is.