40 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has soared in popularity over the last few years.

It’s surprising, because not long ago coconut oil was on the nutritional hit list as a definite no-no. The reason? It had the unenviable status as a member of the nefarious saturated fats gang.

But today it seems the tide may be turning on the 60 year war on saturated fats – e.g. some emerging research seems to suggest that they – at least some of them (‘saturated fat’ refers to a group of compounds) – may have been wrongfully maligned.

Now the controversial debate whether saturated fats are good for you or not rages ever on, with supporting scientific studies (and adherents) for both sides. It seems like the sensible option, at least for the time being, is moderation.

If you do consume coconut oil, remember that because it is a fat (and remember, fat doesn’t make you fat) it is very calorific.

In other words, if you want to be lean, don’t eat a whole tub.

Fortunately, you can do a lot more with coconut oil than simply eat it, and that’s what makes it so interesting.

Choosing a Good Coconut Oil

Before you go rushing off to pick up some coconut oil of your own, know that not all coconut oils are equal – there are a few things you want to look out for before you buy:

1. Virgin or extra-virgin

   Virgin (or extra-virgin) simply means it has not been refined, and is thought to offer the most health benefits. It usually has a wonderful coconut aroma and taste and is typically made from fresh coconuts, whereas refined coconut oil has almost no coconut taste or aroma and is made from the dried kernel of the coconut (copra).

2. Organic

   As with your fruit and vegetables, the fewer pesticides the coconuts have been exposed to the healthier the end product.

3. Raw

   Although coconut oil itself though has a very high smoking point, the less heat used in the extraction process the better since it is less likely to destroy beneficial nutrients.

4. Cold pressed

   Uses an mechanical extraction process (as opposed to a chemical one) in a heat controlled environment so it stays as close to raw as possible.

5. Dedicated factory

   If the coconut oil is produced in a factory which only produces coconut oil it means you will be much less likely to have cross contamination issues with other products.

6. Glass container / BPA-free container

The points above are for an idea coconut oil; however, if you can’t get all those boxes checked, a good minimum to aim for would be:

• Organic
• Virgin
• Expeller pressed

Recommended Brands of Coconut Oil

• Artisana
• Maison Orphee
• Dr Bronner’s
• Nutiva
• Tiana
• Carrington Farms

40 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil

So you’ve bought yourself some coconut oil, now you want to know what you can do with it, try some of these on for size:

1. Energy-boosting supplement

2. In your smoothies for taste and energy

3. Add it to your diet to get more omega-6 fats

4. Improve the absorption of vitamins and fat-soluble nutrients

5. Potentially speed up belly-fat loss.

6. Butter and vegetable oil replacement for cooking or baking

7. Give a frying pan a non-stick coating

8. Cooking at high heat due to its high smoking point

9. Popcorn!

10. Give your drinks a coconut flavor

11. As a spread on your toast

12. Overnight conditioner to make your hair shine

13. Moisturise your face and body

14. Remove makeup

15. Combine with baking soda to use as toothpaste

16. Lip balm

17. Reduce damage of hair dye

18. Shaving lotion

19. Hair defrizzer and static remover

20. Help strengthen hair

21. Combine with sugar or salt crystals for a body scrub

22. Night cream

23. Reduce the appearance of oily skin

24. Wrinkle prevention and reduction

25. Fade skin blemishes

26. Lubricant for the sexy time (probably not condom friendly)

27. Massage oil

28. Soothe sunburn

29. Possibly improve blood pressure

30. Reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks

31. Could help combat tooth decay due to natural antibiotic properties

32. Help treat eczema

33. Potentially help ease Alzheimer’s

34. Soften dry feet and elbows

35. Oil pulling for fresher breath

36. Dogs and cats love to eat it

37. Polish leather shoes and wood furniture

38. Insect repellent

39. Replacement for WD-40

40. Remove stickers and (gum from hair!)

Those are just a handful of the things you can do with coconut oil, and while it’s not miracle cure and seems to be getting a lot of – perhaps – undeserved hype right now; there’s one thing you’ve got to admit: it’s very versatile.

It’s clear though, for some of the more of spectacular claims (such as helping with Alzheimer’s) more studies will need to be done before it’s accepted as science.

Love coconut oil? What do you use it for? Let us know in the comments.

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