Studies show that lauric acid may act as a bacteriostatic agent. This is a substance that prevents bacteria from multiplying without killing the bacteria. It may also act as a bacteriocidal agent, which destroys some bacteria 1 , 7. In addition, it may also inhibit the growth of microorganisms that are harmful to plants 6. Lauric acid in coconut oil may have antimicrobial properties against a variety of harmful microorganisms.
One interesting feature of MCTs is that they may help reduce food intake 8 , 9. This may be related to how the body breaks them down. A proportion of MCTs you eat are broken down in a process that produces molecules called ketones 1.
You may be familiar with ketones in the context of ketogenic diets , which are quite popular these days. For this reason, their bodies tend to use ketones for fuel. In fact, one study reports that coconut oil is less filling than MCT oil MCTs may help reduce food intake by decreasing hunger.
People have long used keto diets, which are very low in carbs and high in fats, to treat various disorders, including drug-resistant epilepsy. They have been shown to help reduce how often seizures happen 12 , Researchers believe that the lack of available glucose to fuel brain cells is a possible explanation for the reduction in seizure frequency in people with epilepsy on ketogenic diets Reducing your carb intake reduces the glucose in your blood, and increasing your fat intake leads to significantly increased concentrations of ketones.
Your brain can use ketones as an energy source instead of glucose 1. Recently, people have found they can effectively treat epilepsy by following modified keto diets that include MCTs and a more generous carb allowance to induce ketosis 12 , Research shows that the MCTs in coconut oil get transported to your liver and turned into ketones MCTs in coconut oil can increase blood ketone concentrations, which may help reduce seizure frequency.
Coconut oil has many uses that have little to do with eating. Many people use it for cosmetic purposes to improve the health and appearance of their skin. Studies show that coconut oil can boost the moisture content of dry skin. It may also improve the function of the skin, helping prevent excessive water loss and protecting you from external factors, such as infectious agents, chemicals, and allergens 16 , 17 , 18 , In fact, a recent study determined that applying 6—8 drops of virgin coconut oil on your hands and leaving it overnight may be an effective way to prevent dry skin caused by frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers It may also reduce the severity of mild to moderate symptoms of atopic dermatitis , a chronic skin disease characterized by skin inflammation and defects in skin barrier function 18 , 21 , Coconut oil can also protect against hair damage.
For instance, one study determined that, since coconut oil deeply penetrates hair strands, it makes them more flexible and increases their strength to prevent them from breaking under tension Similarly, another study found that coconut oil nourishes hair strands and reduces breakage, which further strengthens the hair Coconut oil may help strengthen your hair by increasing flexibility and reducing the breakage of hair strands. Evidence shows that using coconut oil as a mouthwash — a process called oil pulling — benefits oral hygiene in a cost-effective way 25 , Oil pulling involves swishing coconut oil in your mouth like mouthwash.
It may significantly reduce the count of harmful bacteria in the mouth — namely S. This is thought to be due to the antibacterial properties of lauric acid 27 , Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Fiber 2. Coconut oil is a heart-healthy oil that is free of cholesterol and trans-fats, and provides many benefits in addition to improving brain health, including:.
This research supports Dr. The idea is that by boosting ketones, found in coconut oil, we can improve cognitive function. I personally love it stirred into my morning coffee or oatmeal, or even as a tasty addition to smoothies, but there are many ways to use coconut oil in cooking and baking.
Do keep in mind that coconut oil solidifies between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which came as a surprise to me. Here in the Midwest, except for the warmest summer days, it generally takes on a solid form.
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