Is it alkaline or acidic?
After many studies, there is no longer any doubt that coconut oil is extraordinary for our health. It has proven to help you lose weight, improve the immune system, have antioxidant activity, and countless cosmetic uses. What is the pH of coconut oil? Let’s find out!
There are two types of this kind of functional superfood: refined and extra virgin. The first is made from dried coconut, while the second is made with fresh coconut. Normally, coconut oil is found in a liquid state at high temperatures, only getting solid and white below 25 degrees. The normal thing is that it does not spoil or become stale even when stored for some time.
The coconut fruit itself is alkaline, but when the heat is used during the manufacturing process the pH of coconut oil becomes acidic. On the pH scale, it tests at 3.5-5.5 (acidic).
Health benefits of coconut oil
To realize the beneficial effects on health, experts recommend regular consumption of one or two tablespoons daily. By consuming this powerful coconut oil on a daily basis, you tend to enjoy the following health benefits:
- Promotes satiety
Because of the fat content, coconut oil has a differentiated digestion pattern. It stays longer in the stomach than carbohydrate, for example, which increases the sensation of satiety. With reduced appetite, it is easier to hold the desire to feed on snacks all day, a habit that can sabotage a proper diet and, consequently, the desire to lose weight.
- Improves constipation
By having quick absorption and solubility, coconut oil is also a friend of the intestine. Its components act by normalizing the intestinal transit. The beneficial actions for the intestine are also worth in the case of the loose bowel as it helps to eliminate harmful bacteria and promotes healthy intestinal flora growth.
- Reduces cholesterol
The good functioning of the thyroid, favored by the consumption of coconut oil, also guarantees the reduction of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and the elevation of HDL (good cholesterol) cholesterol.
- Strengthens the immune system
Another benefit of coconut oil is the strengthening of the immune system, as it acts in the fight against the attack of bacteria and fungi that threaten our health and even improves the absorption of nutrients, reinforcing the body’s defenses. This is due to lauric acid, also present in breast milk and that has the power to fight numerous infections.
- Combats premature aging
Coconut oil promotes the reduction of free radicals present in the body, responsible for cell aging. This happens, thanks to the action of vitamin E components present in the oil. To a certain extent, free radicals are beneficial to the body, but the buildup can cause not only premature aging but also the development of cancer due to the oxidation of healthy cells.
- Prevents heart disease and high blood pressure
Coconut oil is highly rich in saturated fats. Saturated fats not only raise healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body but also help convert “bad” LDL cholesterol into beneficial cholesterol.
By increasing HDL in the body, it helps promote heart health and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Cures UTI, kidney infection and protects the liver
Coconut oil is known to clarify and cure urinary (UTI) and kidney infections. The oil works as a natural antibiotic, stopping the coating of lipids in bacteria and killing them. There is also a study which shows that coconut oil directly protects the liver from damage.
- Prevention and treatment of cancer
Coconut oil has two qualities that help you fight cancer. First, because of the ketones produced in the digestive system. Tumor cells cannot access energy in ketones and depend on glucose. It is believed that a ketogenic diet may be a possible component to help cancer patients recover.
- Improves energy and endurance
Coconut oil is easy to digest, but it also produces longer sustained energy and boosts your metabolism. By taking an extra virgin coconut oil, you can get maximum benefits because the oil goes directly into the liver for energy conversion.
- Improves digestion, reduces ulcers in the stomach and ulcerative colitis
Coconut oil improves digestion and intestinal health by destroying maleic bacteria and candida. The imbalance of Candida, especially, can decrease the gastric acid that causes inflammation and poor digestion.
- Reduces symptoms of gallbladder disease and pancreatitis
The coconut oil does not need the pancreatic enzymes to be broken, so taking coconut oil softens the tension in the pancreas.
In addition, this superfood is so easy to digest that it has also been known to improve the symptoms of gallbladder disease.
- Helps in the treatment of osteoporosis
Another of the incredible benefits of coconut oil is that it helps in the treatment of osteoporosis. This is possible because it increases the absorption of calcium in the intestine. Research with osteoporosis found that coconut oil not only increases the volume and structure of bone in individuals but also decreased bone loss due to osteoporosis.
- Helps in weight loss
Because of the instant energy of coconut oil, it is no wonder it is beneficial in weight loss. This helps to burn fat, decrease appetite. There are also studies on its use in abdominal fat loss, as it has been proven that the consumption of coconut oil favors the elimination of the fat that is deposited in the belly. The exact reasons are still unknown by science, but it is believed that the oil acts directly on some hormones linked to the accumulation of these reserves in the abdomen.
Related: Coconut weight loss recipe
- Helps in hormonal balance
The use of coconut oil also benefits your hormones. Coconut oil can help balance the hormones naturally because it is a great source of saturated fat, including lauric acid. Studies have found that coconut oil can be an excellent fat to consume during menopause and can also have positive effects on estrogen levels.
- Regulates bowel function
In both cases of constipation or even in diarrhea, the coconut fat components act by normalizing bowel functions. At the same time, lauric acid, through monolaurin, helps to eliminate pathogenic (enemy) bacteria, protecting and favoring the growth of the “friendly flora.”
- Hydrates the skin
The coconut oil contains vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that helps your skin look beautiful. It is good especially if you have dry skin. It also helps fight dermatitis, which is why it is present as the main ingredient in skin products.
- Boosts hair health
Because the coconut oil is rich in proteins that help repair hair, you will achieve a soft and radiant hair. You can also use it directly as a conditioner.
Final thoughts: Health benefits and pH of coconut oil
Coconut oil comes with numerous health benefits and a very favorable pH for the body as highlighted above.
Furthermore, when it comes to benefiting from the properties of coconut oil, you need to pay attention to its various formats. The virgin coconut oil has distinct beneficial properties of the dry coconut oil, or copra – most commonly found on the market.
In contrast, hydrogenated coconut oil should be avoided, and preference should be given to cold-pressed organic extra virgin oils which, in addition to being healthier and retain their original properties, have a more pleasing coconut flavor, and might be as much of the copra version as the virgin coconut.
Solvent-extracted oils must also be avoided since the use of hexane can be socially harmful.