Five health benefits of eating a spoonful of coconut oil

Coconut oil is a superfood that contains fatty acids which are beneficial to your health. That’s right, eating raw coconut oil is good for your health! You can incorporate coconut oil into your diet by cooking with it and eating it in conjunction with other foods.

In addition to consuming it with other foods, eating a spoonful of the oil every day will work wonders for your body. The thought of eating straight-up solid coconut oil out of a jar may sound repulsive to some people but don’t knock it till you try it. Here are five benefits of eating raw coconut oil. 

1. Suppresses your appetite

Coconut oil naturally boosts metabolism levels, improves digestion and curbs unhealthy cravings. Coconut oil is a healthy oil so don’t shy away from it. A boost in your metabolism will give you more energy throughout the day and make you feel full for longer.

When your metabolism level is higher, combined with a reduced desire for unhealthy food cravings and a well-functioning digestive system, you will eventually lose weight over time.

2. Treats Urinary Tract Infections

This powerful oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which is a type of fat that is responsible for the majority of the health benefits that coconut oil gives. This means that coconut oil can act as an antibiotic to treat a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

These MCTs in coconut oil are able to destroy harmful bacteria and treat the infection. Do note that dehydration is a contributing factor to UTIs so ensure that you’re also drinking enough water throughout the day.

3. Soothes the throat

One of the symptoms of COVID-19 is a dry cough and it is recommended that one should drink plenty of water to soothe a scratchy, dry throat. Water is certainly important but coconut oil can help further treat a dry throat.

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties which are essential for irritation or swelling. Eating a spoonful of coconut oil will certainly help treat a dry cough.

4. Treats bad breath

Oral hygiene is key and bad breath is far from pleasant. Bacteria in the mouth is the number one reason for bad breath and coconut oil have powerful anti-bacterial properties. For fresher breath, try oil pulling. This is the act of swishing coconut oil around your mouth in the same way you would do with mouthwash.

Simply melt a teaspoon of coconut oil on your tongue, then swish it around your mouth for around 10-15 minutes before spitting it out. Afterwards, brush your teeth like normal and you’re good to go. Avoid spitting it into your sink or any other drainage system as it will create a blockage, so it's better to spit it in a dustbin.

5. Produces healthy hormones

Hormonal imbalances can throw off so many things in your body and coconut oil can help with this. Fatty acids, such as coconut oil, contribute to the production of healthy hormones. Some benefits of the powerful oil include improved sleep, less stress and more energy. Incorporate a spoon of coconut oil into your diet and watch how your health improves over time.