HEALTHY EATING - Coconut oil for weight loss

Can coconut oil really help you to lose weight?

 

Coconuts have been a staple for people from tropical regions for centuries. This large seed has recently grabbed the attention of scientists and health-conscious people, keen to reap the health benefits this superfood has to offer.

The common myth that coconut oil is bad for you has been widely dispelled by current research, giving us good reason to include this healthy oil back into our diets.

Weight loss

Coconut oil (made from the meat of mature coconuts) contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are a type of fat that behaves differently from other fats. MCFA fats can be absorbed straight into the cell, where they can be immediately burned up as energy, making them less likely to be stored as fat.

Researchers from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have recently found that a diet rich in coconut oil will keep fat off and also protect you from insulin resistance. This makes coconut oil ideal for increasing weight loss and reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes.

Coconut oil also contains high levels of lauric acid, which helps to strengthen the immune system and has the ability to attack viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.

Healthy cooking

Coconut oil is one of the best and safest oils to use in cooking, as MCFAs are resistant to heat and don't turn into harmful hydrogenated fat. You can incorporate coconut oil into your diet by using it instead of unhealthy vegetable oils, butter or margarine, or for baking or stir-frying.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition+tips/coconut+oil+for+weight+loss,7355