Populations that eat a lot of coconut are among the healthiest people in the world. It's no secret that coconuts can provide an array of beauty and health benefits, so much so that the coconut palm is actually viewed as the 'tree of life'. The water provides hydration and the flesh is a nutritious form of nourishment, but today, we're going to explore the incredible benefits of coconut oil in its purest form. For a long time I've been a fan of H2COCO Coconut Water , so you can imagine how happy I was to find out they were bringing out an Organic Virgin Coconut Oil as well. The long list of health benefits are not just old home remedies but have actually been validated by modern science. Here are my top five reasons why every home should stock Virgin Coconut Oil.
I use H2COCO coconut oil on my skin every night before bed. Without fail. The antioxidants contained in the virgin oil helps to tighten, firm and smooth your skin. As we age, skin tissues tend to harden and lose elasticity, resulting in sagging and wrinkled skin. But rubbing coconut oil on your skin can halt an counter these devastating effects. It's a mild, smooth and moisturising option for your daily skin care routine. It contains no harsh chemicals and is entirely organic. Personally, I've found that it doesn't only help with fine lines and wrinkles, but also keeps breakouts at bay. This is because the MCT in coconut oil acts as a natural skin conditioner, deeply penetrating, moisturising, and controlling your skin's oil levels. As an added bonus, coconut oil has an SPF of about 15 so it can also provide some natural sun protection!
Coconut oil is one of the best ways to provide nutrients to your hair. At first it seems quite strange to put oil all through your hair. But give it a try, massage the oil from the roots to the ends of your hair and leave it for around 5-10 minutes, then wash it out and you'll see your hair is conditioned and extra shiny. Coconut oil provides protein, eliminates dandruff and aids with hair growth.
If you're trying to eat healthy and lose weight, coconut oil is a great addition to your diet. You should replace any vegetable oil and cook with coconut oil instead. It has a satiating effect on your appetite, so despite eating additional fat you end up being less hungry later on, thereby controlling your overall caloric intake. It is also easily digested and converted into energy, which helps increase your caloric expenditure and metabolic efficiency, helping you burn stored fats. I like to put a teaspoon into my morning protein smoothies, it adds that delicious coconutty flavour and keeps me full for longer. Win win.
Oil pulling is an ancient method to naturally whiten teeth and boost oral health. The concept is incredibly simple, you basically just take a teaspoon of oil and swish it around your mouth for about 20 minutes, then spit it out and brush. This helps cleanse the inside of your mouth as 'like dissolves like' so the oil is able to cut through plaque and remove toxins without damaging the teeth or gums. This can have incredible health boosting effects as many bacteria and infections enter the bloodstream through the mouth. Oil pulling is intended to remove these bacteria and fight infections before they enter your bloodstream. H2COCO Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and has a better taste that other oils so it is BY FAR my personal preference for oil pulling. It feels like a dental cleanse every time!
The unique saturated fats of coconut oil contain powerful medicinal properties, they are antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties that help strengthen the immune system. Consume coconut oil on a regular basis and you'll reduce the likelihood of you getting sick. Coconut oil really is magical for your health. Everyone leading a healthy, fit and clean life should have this in their pantry. But you need to be cautious about which oil you're using because they're not all made the same! Only use coconut oil that is 'virgin' and organic. It ensures these wonderful medicinal properties haven't been destroyed. My favourite brand is the Australian H2COCO which is 100% natural and raw, certified organic, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil. You can't go wrong!
Try H2coco for yourself here!