Is Coconut Oil Good For You?

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is made from pressing and extracting oil from the meaty flesh, kernels and the milk of the coconut. Though it is now used globally as a ‘health-food’ and ‘superfood’, it has actually been routinely used for centuries in Asia, South America and Africa. 

Is coconut oil healthy to eat?

Coconut oil is pretty controversial in terms of how healthy it can be considered due to it’s high saturated fat content. While many advocates tout it as being high in MCTs, which are ‘good fats’ that metabolise faster, others claim the health benefits of coconut oil have been overstated; while it may contain more nutrients than some other fats, it is still not to be construed as healthy. Ultimately, coconut oil is fine in a balanced diet, and as always should be eaten in moderation. 

Is coconut oil a natural sunscreen?

Coconut oil may deflect some of the sun’s rays, but it actually has a miniscule amount of SPF meaning that is nowhere near good enough to wear as sunscreen on its own. 

Is coconut oil good for your hair?

Coconut oil has great moisturising properties, so it is actually a great product to use on particularly coarse and dry hair to lock in moisture. It can be used as a mask to massage into your scalp or incorporated into your shampoo and conditioner. 

Is coconut oil good for the skin?

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer for the skin too, and can be used topically to keep skin hydrated and elastic in a similar way to other oils like argan and castor. However, it is best not to apply it topically onto irritated skin without consulting a professional first. 

Got any other questions about coconut oil? Let us know in the comments below.