You have no doubt noticed that coconut oil is on everyone’s lips lately. You may also be aware that it’s in their frying pans, their smoothies, their hair, and in a little jar on their nightstand. What underlies coconut oil’s recent adoption by the masses is the sheer amount of benefits to mind, body, and soul that it promises.
Whether you're a chef, a newcomer to the industry or an experienced crew member read on to learn about the ways a few tablespoons of this near-miraculous stuff can benefit you during your life onboard.
1. Skin & hair care
The MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) in coconut oil act as a natural skin conditioner. Deeply moisturising, they protect against environmental & free radical damage. It also helps with anti-ageing so moisturise away!
Coconut oil is one of the best ways to provide nutrients to your hair. The fatty acids condition deeply from the insides of the strands, providing protein and eliminating dandruff.
2. Stress relief
Coconut oil and its aroma are very soothing. You can use it as a massage lotion and gently massage into your head and scalp to reduce stress and mental fatigue.
3. A great cooking oil
Unlike many other cooking oils, coconut oil is very stable and can withstand high cooking temperatures (thanks to its high constitution of saturated fats). Coconut oil has a high smoking point of 350°F making it the healthiest oil option during food preparation. It’s perfectly suitable for sautéing, baking, roasting, and even frying.
4. Curbs the appetite
The fatty acids destroy candida (yeast overgrowth) which triggers weight gain, carbohydrate cravings and fatigue. It is easily converted into energy which helps speed up the metabolism. Scientists suspect that coconut oil’s interesting effect on hunger may be related to the way the fatty acids in it are metabolized. Adding MCT-rich coconut oil to one’s diet could have a very positive effect on weight and body composition. You can also add it to your coffee for a tasty pick-me-up.
5. Helps build immunity & kills infections
The unique saturated fats of coconut oil contain antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties that help strengthen the immune system. Consume coconut oil regularly to help protect your body against sickness.
Lauric acid (found ONLY in breast milk and coconut oil) is converted into monolaurin in the body. This destroys bacterial and viral infections like influenza, measles & hepatitis C. It may also assist in eliminating Athletes foot. (It’s worth a try).
6. Digestion
MCT molecules in coconut oil are small so they are easily digestible, with less strain on the digestion system. People suffering from diabetes, obesity, gall bladder disease or Crohn’s disease may benefit greatly from coconut oil.
7. Help build & maintain muscle
MCTs in coconut oil are good for upping your body’s energy expenditure and burning calories. Here’s yet another way this wonder-stuff can help you look better naked. It’s great for building muscle! MCTs found in coconut are also used in popular muscle building products. By adding actual coconut oil, you’ll benefit from getting your MCT’s in their natural and most effective form. Add 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to a muscle building shake daily.
8. Diabetes
It is said to improve insulin sensitivity & glucose tolerance over time. It helps regulate the body’s sugar levels & protect against insulin resistance and type II diabetes.
9. It promotes heart health
Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. The saturated fats in coconuts work in a different way than those found in animal-derived foods like butter, cream, cheese and meat. Coconut oil increases the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body, but it also helps to convert the LDL or “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterol. By increasing the HDL’s in the body and changing the ratio of HDL to LDL, the saturated fat in coconut oil helps promote heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
10. It can be used in the bedroom
It’s yummy, organic, all natural, and stops things from sticking.! Not only does coconut oil feel, taste, and smell good when used to add a little flavour to your sex life, but it also happens to be good for you. It’s moisturizing and, as noted above, it’s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, which means it does a great job at preventing yeast infections—unlike riskier foods like whipped cream.
