Ever wondered why just about every beauty or skin care product has coconut oil as an ingredient? Have you asked yourself “is coconut oil good for your hair?” Well, you’re not alone.
It’s not a trend as many may think: Coconut oil has been used for many years to moisturize and even acts as a natural sunscreen. Adding this ingredient to your everyday products like hair oils, shampoos, conditioners, and even to body lotions or creams can take the formula up a notch, providing you with its natural moisturizing properties. Due to its various effective uses, coconut oil has taken off as a must-have staple in the beauty, skin and hair care routines of women around the world.
Coconut Oil can improve blood cholesterol levels and may lower your risk of heart disease as it is loaded with saturated fats which raise HDL (the good) cholesterol and change the LDL (the bad) cholesterol to a benign subtype.
It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis. Studies suggest that the intake of coconut oil may help to maintain healthy lipid profiles in pre-menopausal women.
Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil that acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. Unlike mineral oil, there is virtually no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin from the application of coconut oil. Therefore, it is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It can also delay the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin, which normally accompany aging.
It helps in preventing degenerative diseases and premature aging due to its well-known antioxidant properties and can help in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. For that exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of various body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care.
It strengthens the immune system because it contains anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes, influenza, and even HIV. Candida, also known as Systemic Candidiasis, is a tragic disease caused from excessive and uncontrolled growth of yeast called Candida Albicans in the stomach. Coconut oil provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off. Other Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair
Other Coconut Oil benefits include:
- Lice prevention: One small study found that when combined with anise in a spray, coconut oil was 40% more effective at treating head lice than the chemical permethrin.
- Sun protection: UV filters can help protect your hair from sun damage. Some studies have found coconut oil to have a sun protection factor of 8, so putting it on your hair could be useful.
- Dandruff treatment: Dandruff can be caused by an overgrowth of fungus or yeast on the scalp. While no studies have examined coconut oil specifically, it has antimicrobial properties and could be useful for treating dandruff.
- Hair loss prevention: Excessive grooming can damage the hair shaft, which in extreme circumstances can cause hair loss. Coconut oil can help keep your hair in good condition and prevent this.
So if you haven’t yet discovered for yourself the health benefits of Coconut Oil do yourself a favour and try it, either in your cooking or on your skin. Your body will love you for it!
Sourced:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-hair#section5
