Why should you switch to organic coconut oil?

Coconut oil seems to be catching on fast these days. Everyone is talking about how it is great for your health. But did you know that this humble oil has been around for more than 4000 years?

It finds a mention in several Ayurveda texts as the key to hair care, wound healing, and overall wellness.

Coconut oil will offer all these benefits only when you use it in the purest form and in the right way.

In this blog, we have put together everything that you need to know about coconut oil and how to use it in the best way.

Organic vs Regular coconut oil: What’s the difference?

We all know that coconut oil has some great health benefits.

But do you know what’s even better than coconut oil?

Coconut oil that is unrefined and pure. We are talking about organic coconut oil, also known as virgin, extra-virgin, or unrefined coconut oil.

Let’s get to know how organic coconut oil is better than regular coconut oil.

Extraction

Organic is extracted from fresh coconut meat. This meat is cold-pressed to extract the oil in its purest form.

Refined coconut oil is usually made by treating dried coconut meat with steam or heat to extract the oil. This extracted oil is then heated or steamed to deodorize it. It is then bleached to remove impurities using chemical solvents.

Nutrition

Organic coconut oil is healthier because of its natural extraction process that helps retain its nutrition. It is non-greasy and its fat content is mostly medium-chain triglycerides, which are not harmful and are used as energy by the body.

Since regular coconut oil is bleached and refined, it is often stripped of its natural content of nutrients. It often contains harmful trans fats that may risk your heart health.

Purity

Organic coconut oil has a clearer appearance and a luscious tropical fragrance and flavor.

Refined coconut oil has an artificial scent and is not very flavorful.

Some incredible whole-body benefits of organic coconut oil

Organic coconut oil does everything from keeping your heart healthy, to helping you lose weight, and preventing premature aging.

Let’s take a look at some of its most important health benefits:

Keeps your heart healthy

There are two kinds of cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered to be heart-healthy or the ‘good’ cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be ‘bad’ cholesterol since it harms your heart.

According to this Evidence Based Complementary Alternate Medicine research, the medium-chain triglycerides found in coconut oil lead to an increase in HDL levels, which keeps your cholesterol levels low in the long run. Low levels of cholesterol reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke directly.

Keeps you smarter

Although this may come as a surprising benefit of organic coconut oil, this oil is often referred to as the ‘brain food’.

And rightly so!

The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil help in optimizing your brain’s levels of ketones. These ketones serve as an energy source for your brain cells and prevent the formation of brain plaque, which is often the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Helps reduce arthritis pain

Arthritis is a condition that leads to swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. Consequently, it leads to reduced range of motion and a diminished quality of life.

According to this International Immunopharmacology research, coconut oil is a rich source of polyphenols. These polyphenols reduce arthritis-induced joint inflammation and reduce pain and discomfort.

Treats skin and hair issues

We have grown up being told to massage our hair with coconut oil. Turns out our elders weren’t wrong. The fatty acids in coconut oil help in managing dehydrated hair and make them soft and healthy.

The same fatty acids also work wonders on the skin. They reduce inflammatory skin conditions and also help moisturize it. The antibacterial properties of this oil prevent bacterial and fungal infections from affecting the skin.

Besides these benefits, coconut oil also helps improve your dental health, promotes weight loss, and controls blood sugar spikes.

How to make coconut oil work for you?

Just like any other ingredient, coconut oil also has a recommended daily limit. This is mainly because, despite its numerous benefits, it contains saturated fatty acids mostly.

It is recommended to include not more than 2 tablespoons or 30 ml of coconut oil in your diet every day.

Ways to include coconut oil in your routine

Coconut oil is mainly used for cooking. However, it has a relatively low smoking point when compared to other oils such as soybean. This means that it cannot be used for deep-frying without causing adverse health effects. That’s why it is mainly used for:

· Sauteing or stir-frying eggs, meat, fish, or vegetables.
· Adding it to dressings or sauces.

Having said that, coconut oil is much more than just a cooking medium. Here are some interesting ways to include the oil in your routine:

· Use it to bake cookies and cakes. It gives these desserts an amazingly nutty tropical taste.
· Add it to make healthy and energizing tropical smoothies. Some of the best fruits that go with coconut oil smoothies are pineapple, banana, and apple.
· Mix it with some sugar to make a great body scrub.
· Use it as a moisturizer for hydrated and glowing skin.
· Massage it directly on your scalp for smooth hair.

Conclusion

Organic coconut oil has tremendous potential for your health and well-being. To make it contribute more to your wellness, ensure that you buy only the best organic coconut oil from credible brands. Adya Organics’ is one such brand that is passionate about improving people’s health sustainably. To know more about our organic coconut oil and other products, get in touch with us today.