When it comes to choosing the right cooking oil, we often look for options that are as good for the heart as they are for our waistline.
Which is why perhaps many fit nuts find solace in using coconut oil which fulfil both of these requirements.
But the real question is: can using coconut oil really aid weight loss?
Yes, it can.
Here’s what experts have to say on the matter:
1. Coconut oil can boost your metabolism
“A sluggish thyroid gland can lead to fat gain.
But, consuming coconut oil can balance this gland and boost your metabolism,” says Karishma Chawla, Mumbai-based nutritionist and lifestyle educator.
2. It can keep you strong
The lauric acid present in coconut oil possesses antibacterial and anti-viral properties that can enhance your immunity and overall strength, according to Chawla.
This can help you push your limits and achieve your fitness goals.
Also read: How to use castor oil for healthy hair
3. Coconut oil can help you burn fat
When the fat percentage in your body is high, it can lead to your entire body getting inflamed and puffed up.
This can make the fat cells resistant to producing energy for the body.
“However, the anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil can help in reducing the inflammation and aiding fat burn,” explains Chawla.
4. It can curb your appetite
Being rich in saturated fats, coconut oil is a natural appetite suppressant according to Delhi-based nutritionist, Rashim Malhotra.
This means, you won’t have unnecessary food cravings and can very well keep your calorie intake in check in order to stay or get in shape.
5. It’s simply great for your health
Malhotra points out that the heart-health boosting benefits of coconut oil make it a great cooking oil.
Weight loss with the added benefits of a strong immunity and heart. What more do you want from life?
The best part?
You don’t need to cook with coconut oil to reap the benefits.
Apart from using coconut oil for cooking, you can even add a teaspoon of it to a cup of hot water and drink it on an empty stomach.
This will help metabolise the fat cells in your body and naturally suppress your appetite for the day according to Malhotra.
But, she strictly warns against going overboard with the consumption of coconut oil and recommends not consuming more than three tablespoons in a day.
By Sonakshi Kohli, Health Shots
