Coconut oil: how healthy is it really?

Let's be honest, how many jars, tubs and bottles are in your bathroom? Whether you are a man or a woman, the products pile up: one for the eyes, the face, the lips, the hands, the feet, the hair, the nails, the cuticles. Peelings, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, masks, for before, after and during showering and for the most diverse purposes - sometimes revitalizing, sometimes soothing, anti-aging and for the most diverse times of day and seasons.

Coconut oil - the beauty secret of the stars 

What if you could replace almost all of these products with one big pot of coconut oil? Not only would you save a lot of money, but you would also be exposing your body to far fewer chemicals and additives. The good news is that coconut oil can do pretty much everything your toiletry bag can do - and sometimes even better. The requirements we all have for the appearance of our skin and hair are usually very simple: supple and soft, healthy and luscious with a radiant shine.

Coconut oil is able to keep exactly these promises and also smells wonderful... 

The organic origin of coconut oil is very important. It guarantees that no additives or preservatives have been used. The usual coconut products available without organic certification are not made from real coconut oil but use flavorings that smell like coconut.

When buying coconut oil, it is important that you only buy cold-pressed coconut oil ("virgin", "extra virgin", "vergine"). Industrially produced oil does not contain the same amount of vitamins and vital substances and is often mixed with additives that have no place on your face and skin in general.

Coconut oil as a beauty expert for dry, dull hair

Have you ever wondered why Asian women always have beautiful, shiny and soft hair? You guessed it: coconut oil! Coconut oil helps your hair to regain its bounce, suppleness and beautiful shine. The high fat content and the important components of the coconut strengthen the hair follicles and the hair can grow back vigorously. 

You can use it both as a mask and as a hair conditioner. 

Coconut oil as a hair mask

Take approx. 3 tablespoons of warmed (liquid) coconut oil and spread it evenly over the scalp and the (dry) lengths and ends of the hair and massage it in. As the coconut oil can develop its effect even better under heat, sauna visits are particularly suitable. However, it is also sufficient to wrap your hair in a towel after applying the mask. Leave the hair treatment on for as long as you have time, but at least 10 minutes. The mask is most effective if you leave it on overnight. Simply cover the pillow with a towel to prevent stains. Wash your hair out thoroughly afterwards - coconut oil residue can make your hair look greasier.

Tip: Apply the coconut oil mask upside down in the shower or over the bath to avoid staining your clothes. 

Coconut oil as a hair conditioner

The coconut oil hair conditioner is applied to the scalp and hair BEFORE washing. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash your hair as usual with a shampoo. There is no need for additional conditioner after shampooing and your hair will shine like new. 

Coconut oil for elastic, velvety skin

Virgin coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and provides the skin with important nutrients that also counteract the ageing process. Coconut oil also has an antiseptic and antibacterial effect and is therefore also recommended for acne-prone skin. 

Coconut oil as a make-up remover

Drizzle a few drops of coconut oil (e.g. liquefied under warm water) onto a cotton pad and carefully remove make-up from the face, including the eye area. Then rinse the face with warm water. The coconut oil leaves a pleasant film on the skin, which can also replace a face cream. Coconut oil leaves the complexion looking even, full and smooth.

Coconut oil as an eye cream

Apply a few drops of coconut oil to the eye area and especially to the wrinkles. Coconut oil has a plumping effect, which reduces wrinkles around the eyes and bags under the eyes. The anti-inflammatory effect can reduce swelling, particularly in the case of bags under the eyes. 

Coconut oil for the lips

Coconut oil is excellent for lip care, making them soft and supple. As a bonus, it tastes and smells deliciously of coconut.

Coconut oil for the skin

Coconut oil as a body scrub for dry and normal skin

For a wonderful body scrub that removes dead skin cells and makes your skin supple, mix approx. 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with 6 tablespoons of sugar or salt and add a dash of lime juice. Rub the mixture into the skin using circular movements and then rinse thoroughly. The scrub is also ideal for your feet: calluses can be easily removed with the scrub. 

Coconut oil against calluses

If the skin is often exposed to friction and pressure, calluses can form very quickly. The heel area and the underside of the big toes are particularly affected. Wearing shoes that are too tight and uncomfortable can also increase the risk of calluses. 

Calluses are not painful, but they are not for the naked eye. Especially in summer when you want to wear open shoes, calluses are a thorn in the side in certain places. The additional dryness of the feet can accelerate the development of calluses. However, poor circulation and diabetes also increase the risk. 

The thicker the callus becomes, the more susceptible it is to cracks and then also to painful fissures.

Coconut oil is a good remedy for calluses. It is also excellent for preventing calluses. The high moisture content and essential ingredients make the skin supple and less prone to dryness.

An additional foot bath with lukewarm water and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil per week can increase moisture and resistance to calluses.

The omega-3 fatty acids it contains also ensure good regeneration of existing calluses. Coconut oil generally has a very pleasant tropical smell and makes you feel like you're in paradise. It is best to apply coconut oil lightly every morning and evening.

Coconut oil as a body lotion

The back of your body lotion probably reads like a chemical dictionary. Coconut oil has all the properties touted by industrially produced cosmetics - just without the additives and chemicals. A few tablespoons of melted coconut oil nourishes your skin perfectly and even helps to speed up the healing of small scratches, etc. 

Coconut oil as a bath additive

A tablespoon of coconut oil dissolved in hot bath water not only fills your bathroom with a wonderful tropical fragrance but also pampers your skin, which is not usually dried out after bathing. The coconut oil regulates the moisture balance and makes your skin feel velvety smooth. 

Coconut oil for your health 

Coconut oil in the kitchen

What sounds very unusual at first, but is being used more and more in the kitchen, is coconut oil for frying. It's hard to imagine because the smell is contained in many shower gels, sun creams or body creams. But coconut oil is perfect for frying, deep-frying, baking and even as a spread. In contrast to conventional oils, coconut oil is much more suitable because it is very temperature-stable, does not volatilize so quickly and does not form bitter substances.

Coconut oil is also perfect for baking, you can use coconut oil 1:1 wherever it says butter.

This substitute is significantly healthier, as less saturated fatty acids are baked in. 

Coconut oil in the body

Coconut oil is quickly and easily absorbed by the body. The fatty acids can be processed directly in the liver into ketone bodies. Ketone bodies can be easily converted into ATP (energy) in the mitochondria.

Coconut oil also helps with fasting, as its conversion into ketone bodies promotes a state of ketosis: a healing state in which the body can fight disease and even cancer. Scientists recommend eating coconut oil by the tablespoon to induce this state more easily and gently.

MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides = 3 fatty acids) and lauric acid in particular fight bacteria and viruses. Lauric acids consist of thin fatty walls that are impermeable to such parasites.

Coconut oil is also an effective remedy against fungi. Harmful fungi are everywhere. Coconut oil can also help here, because another prominent fatty acid, caprylic acid, which is contained in coconut oil at a rate of 8%, helps the human defense mechanism against fungi.

Coconut oil increases the proportion of "good" HDL cholesterol and thus improves blood lipid levels, as it contains a high proportion of healthy fatty acids.

Coconut oil is also a much better source of energy than any carbohydrate because glucose (sugar) lowers the cholesterol balance and fat is absorbed independently of insulin.

Glucose is actually the brain's only source of energy. However, when glucose (sugar) is no longer available, humans can produce fat from MCTs (medium-chain tryglycerides), providing an alternative source of energy for brain cells. This is why coconut oil is often used to treat various brain and nerve diseases. Even Alzheimer's disease is now regarded by experts as "diabetes of the brain". Coconut oil is therefore nerve food.

How is coconut oil obtained? 

The white flesh of the coconut is used to produce coconut oil. A distinction is made between industrial and native production. The industrial process is more common, but the organic and gentler process is becoming increasingly popular, as it has several advantages in terms of the quality of the finished coconut oil.

Organic production is carried out using cold pressing. This is becoming increasingly popular, as the oil obtained in this way is produced more gently and has a better taste and higher quality.

Coconuts from controlled organic cultivation are used. The focus is on the particularly fresh and rapid processing of the coconut so that enzymatic changes and long storage times can be avoided. 

Production of coconut oil 

• Freshly harvested processing
• Fruit is opened, peeled, shaken and pressed by hand
• The oil is filtered to remove pulp residues and moisture.
• The natural properties of the coconut oil are retained. After cold pressing and filtering, the coconut oil is freshly bottled on site in hygienic glass containers.

What are the differences to the industrial production of coconut oil?

• Long storage times are avoided
• Fresh fruit is processed
• Opened fruit is processed immediately, fruit flesh cannot spoil and is not contaminated.
• No refining, no use of bleaching agents or deodorants 
• Chemical additives are avoided 

What makes coconut oil so valuable? 

What every oil has are fatty acids. In fact, oil consists of many fatty acids. A distinction is made between 2 forms of fatty acids: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. These are divided into subgroups: polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.

Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids because, unlike saturated fatty acids, they have several double bonds. Unsaturated fatty acids are much healthier for the body as they have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.  

Saturated fatty acids are usually only found in animal foods (cheese, milk, butter) and should not be consumed in large quantities, as they can increase the risk of coronary heart disease and raise LDL cholesterol.

Coconut oil consists of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lauric acid is the most common fatty acid found in coconuts and is used as the basis for many cosmetic products. It has the ability to destroy many pathogens such as influenza, herpes and hepatitis C viruses. It is only stored in fatty tissue to a reduced extent and is mainly used for energy production.

The minerals contained in organic coconut oil are dominated by magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. These substances are important for bone stabilization and bone maintenance. Most of the essential trace elements in this high-quality oil are iron, zinc, manganese and copper. Iron is important for blood clotting. Zinc plays an important role in metabolic processes as it activates many enzymes. Copper is important for the formation of connective tissue and blood.