Cold Pressed Coconut Oil: Benefits and Nutritional Values

Coconut oil is one of the best superfoods for body, hair, and health. The exclusive combination of fatty acids present in this oil has numerous positive effects on health, like boosting brain function and heart health. Coconut oil is derived from coconut flesh and is mostly used in tropical countries. Refined products are dominating the market, but there is nothing like the health benefits of cold-pressed coconut oil. Cold-pressing coconut oil is less processed, contains its natural and sweet flavor. On the other hand, refined oils go through more processing and remove all their nutritional benefits, taste, and aroma. Cold-pressed coconut oil is used as the primary cooking oil in many Indian households for preparing different cuisines. 

Nutritional benefits of cold compressed coconut oil

According to the Agriculture Department of the USA, we have shared the nutritional benefits of cold compressed coconut oil (one tablespoon). 

This oil does not contain any protein, carbohydrates, fiber, or sugar and is similar to other cold-pressed oils. It consists of Vitamin E but does not contain fiber or other minerals or vitamins. There is also 100% saturated fat present in it which differs from the fat of the other animal products and is primarily a long chain of fatty acids. Coconut oil is also high in MCTs, which is difficult for the body to convert into the stored fat and easy burn of the LCTs. 

How to Use Coconut Oil in Cooking?

It is perfect for including coconut oil in your dietary habits. You can use coconut oil in stir-fries, baking, and cooking purposes like frying eggs and popping the popcorns. Some people also add coconut oil to their morning coffee for an additional boost. You can also spread a tiny amount of virgin coconut oil on the toast or a smoothie for the fatty acids.

Health Benefits of Implementing Cold-Pressed Coconut oil in Cooking

Now it is time to take a closer look into the extra virgin coconut oil cold pressed benefits. They are as follows. 

• Includes healthy Fatty acids

Cold-pressed coconut oil contains saturated fats that include numerous effects on the body compared to other dietary fats. The fatty acids present in it encourage the body to burn unnecessary fats and offer rapid energy to the brain and body. It also increases HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood that helps to decrease the threat of heart attack. Another coconut cold-pressed oil benefits are it consists of MCTs, which will go directly to the liver. The body will implement them as a swift energy source and turn them into ketones. Ketones include high benefits for the brain and also help in Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy treatment.

• Enhances Burning of Fat

Obesity has become one of the biggest health problems that are affecting the world today. Obesity is the calculation of how many calories someone is eating and how much the person is burning. The MCTs present in the cold-pressed coconut oil can enhance the body burning calorie number compared to the long-chain fatty acids. 

• Decreases the Hunger 

Another significant advantage of cold-pressed coconut oil is it assists in decreasing hunger. It is also related to how the body will metabolize fats since ketones can reduce the person’s appetite. Thus consumption of coconut oil will finally lead to the reduction of body weight in the longer term. 

• Increases the level of HDL or Good Cholesterol

Cold-pressed coconut oil includes saturated fat that enhances the HDL or good cholesterol in the body. It also decreases LDL or bad cholesterol into a less harmful form. The increase in HDL boosts the heart and metabolic health of the body. 

• Boosts the Brain Operations

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common reasons for dementia that affects the elderly. This disease decreases the capacity of the brain to implement glucose for energy. Ketones present in the cold-pressed coconut oil offer an alternative energy source for the malfunctioning of the brain cells to decrease the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. 

• Takes Care of the Heart Health

The western world is less aware of all the cold-pressed virgin coconut oil benefits as there is less usage. However, in most parts of the world, cold-pressed coconut oil is a dietary staple used in cooking for generations. Since it improves HDL and lowers LDL, it is also responsible for improving heart conditions and stopping any cardiovascular diseases.

• Includes antimicrobial properties 

Lauric acid makes up to 50% of the fatty acids present in cold-pressed coconut oil. When the body consumes lauric acid, it forms an element known as monolaurin. Both these components can kill toxic pathogens like viruses, fungi, and bacteria. For instance, these elements can remove the bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for staph infection. They also terminate the yeast name Candida albicans, one of the most common sources of yeast infection in the human body. Another benefit of drinking cold-pressed coconut oil is oil pulling, where you can use cold-pressed coconut oil as a mouthwash. This process helps in oral hygiene and decreases foul breath.

• Decreases the Seizures Level

The ketones present in the cold-pressing coconut oil are lower in carbohydrates and higher in fats to treat different disorders. It is also helpful in treating epilepsy in children and decreases the level of the seizure even with those who have no success with numerous drugs. Due to the MCT presence in the coconut, the oil gets moved to the liver and gets converted into ketones. 

• Helps to Protect Hair, Teeth, and Skin

Cold-pressing coconut oil also contains various other uses which are not related to cooking or eating. People also implement it to enhance the skin and hair appearance and health. Coconut oil increases the dry skin moisture content and decreases the eczema symptoms. It also gives protection against hair damages. Coconut oil also acts as a weak sunscreen, blocking nearly 20% of the ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

• Assists in the reduction of dangerous abdominal fat

Some fatty acids in the cold-pressing coconut oil can decrease the appetite, enhance fat burning, and assist in losing weight. Abdominal or visceral fat gets formed near the abdominal cavity and the vital organs. Abdominal fat is responsible for several harmful diseases. MCT is highly efficient in decreasing belly fat in comparison to the LCT. 

Conclusion

Apart from all the above cold-pressed coconut oil benefits, it can also add variety and flavor to various diets. To get the highest health advantages, make sure you select cold-pressed, virgin, and organic coconut oil rather than refined oils.